#22 Penn State vs. #17 Iowa: Four keys to an Iowa Victory

The last two years between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Nittany Lions of Penn State can be described as nothing less than complete chaos; with the Hawkeyes walking away with much needed conference victories in both of those games. From blocked punts, an abundance of interceptions and last second field goals, these games are always entertaining to the college football fan. In 2010 the Lions will travel to Kinnick for the first time since the Daniel Murray winning field goal in '08 to pull off the shocker over a third ranked Penn State team that year. This year they are not as heavily favored, Freshman quarterback Robert Bolden has had some decision making kinks in his first three games of the season, especially his week two trial by fire in Tuscaloosa. Plus, a non existent running game puts all the more pressure on him. So, what Iowa needs to do is this...

1. Stop RB Evan Royster! This may contradict what i just said about their running game and even though Evan Royster has been nothing short of disappointing this year, he is long overdo for a big game, last year he rushed for 1,169 yards and in '08 he rushed for 1,236 yards. Right now he is sitting at only 297 after three games and only one touchdown, so don't let these dismal stats fool you, he is a weapon, and an experienced one! The Iowa defense better batten down the hatches this week because you best believe that Royster will be playing with a chip on his shoulder.

2. Put the ball in the hands of Robert Bolden. Bolden is a freshman people! This is his second road game in the NCAA, Kinnick will be a hostile environment for a freshman quarterback to play at, especially for a Penn State team who always seems to come up short to the Hawkeyes. The Iowa Defense needs to force him to throw the ball down field and with a excellent defensive line led by NFL prospect Adrian Clayborn it shouldn't be too difficult.

3. Kill the clock. The best way to ensure that the Hawkeye defense gets rest is to establish the running game. With the running back Adam Robinson they should be able to push the ball down the throat of a dismal Penn State rushing defense, he has something to prove this season after getting handled at Arizona.

 4. Avoid special team mistakes. Nothing, i repeat nothing was more frustrating than watching Iowa play Arizona and literally shoot themselves in the foot; whether it was kick off coverage, punt coverage or a mediocre kickoff return team you name it the Hawkeyes probably didn't do it. They need to discipline themselves and make Penn State beat them not beat themselves.

With that being said, if Iowa can follow these four simple steps then Iowa City will be rocking on Saturday night!