College football Week 9: 5 best games of the week

(18) Iowa at (17) Penn State – 3:30 p.m. ET – ESPN

Iowa will travel to Happy Valley on Saturday in an attempt to stay in contention for the Big Ten West crown.

The Hawkeyes will field the best front seven that Penn State has faced this season and will look to prove they are the most physical team in the Big Ten. Over the past few weeks, Iowa has arguably been the hottest team in the conference, but a victory over Penn State would be looked at as their signature win. Entering the game the Hawkeyes are holding opponents to an average of 14.1 points and 258 yard per game, both of which rank within the top-5 in the country, but holding up those averages against a dynamic Penn state offense will be no easy task.

Penn State is led by star quarterback Trace McSorley, who can beat you through the air or on the ground, but the team has suffered back-to-back losses at home heading into this match-up. However, in their last meeting, McSorley was able to charge down the field and complete a last-second touchdown pass as time expired to escape with a victory at Kinnick Stadium. That victory was in large part due to the play of Saquon Barkley, who racked up over 200 yards and scored twice. This year it will be up to McSorley and running back Miles Sanders to find holes in the Iowa defense. If they are unable to get things going, it could quickly lead a third loss for the Nittany Lions.

Although Iowa will be looking for revenge after last seasons last-second loss, don’t expect this Penn State team to lose three straight at home.