Iowa football: Run game is one of three keys to beating Penn State

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IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 20: Tight end Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is brought down during the first half by defensive back Darnell Savage #4 of the Maryland Terrapins on October 20, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Iowa needs to score quick

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 23-3 at home in the last four seasons under James Franklin. Two of their three losses have come in the last three weeks to a ranked Ohio State and a formerly ranked Michigan State. Their last loss before that was back in 2014 against #14 Michigan 28-16.

Home field advantage is huge in college football and that sentiment is just as true in Happy Valley. The atmosphere there can make it incredibly difficult for opposing teams to come in and win, and you better believe that after suffering two home losses in a row, the home crowd will be itching for a chance to knock off the now ranked Iowa football team.

Before the season began, Kirk Herbstreit even ranked the top five atmosphere’s in college football. Of course, Kinnick was on there, but so was Penn State. The point is, it’s tough enough going against a very talented Penn State team, but it’s even more difficult to go on the road and steal a road win.

Kirk Ferentz realizes and embraces this challenge Saturday.

"We have to play our best football Saturday to have a chance because it’s a tough environment and they’re a good football team. If you can do that, you’re going to feel good about yourself. That’s part of the climb if you’re going to be a team that has a really, really good season."

This is why it’s important to get off to a fast start and score quickly. Iowa needs to deflate that crowd as much as possible because the closer the game, the more that crowd will be into it.

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