College Football Week 4 schedule and predictions

STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 16: Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) drops back for a pass during a football game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi on September 16, 2017 (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 09: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium on September 9, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

No. 4 Penn State at Iowa

Kickoff: Saturday, Sep. 23, 7:30 PM, ABC

Penn State and Iowa face off in a Big Ten matchup of the undefeated teams. The Nittany Lions have National Championship hopes, while Iowa is trying to climb it’s way to the top of the conference. Both teams have beat up on inferior competition thus far, so it’ll be a big test for both sides. Here’s what you should watch for in this game and also a prediction for the outcome.

Penn State at Iowa: Three Things to Watch:

1. Can RB Saquon Barkley run wild over the Iowa defense?

Barkley is one of the best running backs in the country and every scout has been drooling over his potential. Through three games, he’s averaging over 100 yards per game on less than 13 carries. Per carry, Barkley is averaging nearly eight yards.

On the flip side, Iowa has only given up 97 rush yards per game, so if they have any shot of beating Penn State, it’s going to start by shutting down Barkley.

2. Can the Penn State defense shut out Iowa?

In two of the three games that the Nittany Lions have played in, they’ve held the opponents scoreless. They’ve only given up 14 points total and that came in Week 2 against Pittsburgh. Can they keep that going against Iowa?

The Hawkeyes’ scoring offense has been better, averaging nearly 33 points per game, so I think they won’t be shut out of this game, but I doubt they reach their season average either.

3. Can Iowa’s Nathan Stanley continue to be uber-efficient?

Through three games, Stanley, the Iowa signal caller, has been solid, with a touchdown to interception ratio of 10 to one. He’s also completed 62 percent of his passes and averages a shade under eight yards per attempt.

If he can keep that up against the Nittany Lions, they may keep the game close in the fourth quarter. It’s the best defense he’s faced thus far in his young career, so he’ll have to respond for Iowa to have a shot.

Prediction:

QB Trace McSorley and RB Saquon Barkley are too much for Iowa. I like them on the road and I like them to win big.

Penn State over Iowa, 38-20.

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