Online Now 1153

Scouting Report: Iowa

James Vandenberg

Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg hasn't been able to find as many big plays since the departure of Marvin McNutt.

Get a more detailed look at the Iowa squad Penn State takes on this week from the people who cover the Hawkeyes best.

Jeff Rice

    • Did you ask him if there were going to be sideline heaters provided to the visiting team? Oh, BOB will take his own, so never mind. They call it "gamesmanship". Yep.

      MDAlum ●

    • I'm really interested to see how O'Brien handles this game. Iowa (Ferentz) will try to induce a ground and pound ball control style...will O'Brien bite..and if he does can the lions pound away or not. I got to believe Iowa will have the sturdiest front 7 we have seen to date. Or will he allow McGloin to air it out. I can really see Iowa trying to make this a low scoring game and hope it can get the ball to bounce its way late for a win.

      I really think its going to be pivotal to get an early lead and keep the foot to the pedal...turnovers or not....i fear what can happen in a low scoring game...especially with our kicking game

      TheBleedingLion

    • This post is for members of Lions247 or All Access VIP members only. Start Free Trial

      Lion_in_CBus

    • I have a feeling we'll begin the game with a lot of passes, then as long as we can sustain drives, the offense will gradually move towards more of a 50/50 split.

      psubills62 ●

    • psubills62 said...

      I have a feeling we'll begin the game with a lot of passes, then as long as we can sustain drives, the offense will gradually move towards more of a 50/50 split.

      I agree. I'm expecting a lot of passes, and hopefully a nice lead from it. If we can get up it will take their ground and pound out, which I do think will wear on us if they're able to do it all game.

      PSU17 ●

    • I really don't see a good reason why we shouldn't win this game so I am pretty optimistic.

      As for well-lubricated fanbase, I will be in the middle of that as ill be tailgating with Iowa students all day before I go the student section for the game. It's gonna be a long day

      jaz4234

    • PSU BIG. Period!

      This isn't the old staff we're talking about. I think all the "it's Iowa" and a "night game" talk is overblown this year. New staff. New ideas. New mentality. New era. BOB and company keep the throttle on all game long, just like vs. Illinois.

      PSUjosh11 ●

    • PSUjosh11 said...

      PSU BIG. Period!

      This isn't the old staff we're talking about. I think all the "it's Iowa" and a "night game" talk is overblown this year. New staff. New ideas. New mentality. New era. BOB and company keep the throttle on all game long, just like vs. Illinois.

      1. Away night games are problems for many staffs across the nation, not just PSU. Its a legitimate worry since we don't know what to expect.

      2. You lose any credibility when you mention Illinois as a comparison to Iowa. The difference between the atmosphere in Chambana and what happens in Kinnick is vast. This isn't like going to Illinois. Its a harder place to play, against a much much much better coached staff.

      This post was edited by MTayl72 on 10/18/2012 at 10:12 AM

      MTayl72 ●

    • This post is for members of Lions247 or All Access VIP members only. Start Free Trial

      Jeff Rice

    • This post is for members of Lions247 or All Access VIP members only. Start Free Trial

      PSU17 ●

    • This the first "big" game for the new era of PSU.....

      I hope I survive till kick off!!

      philafan ●

    • I think we pass to open up the run, just like in past games, I look for BB and ZZ to have big 4th quarter.

      locopsu

    • We better not be close with Iowa. Everybody who says they play physical is just saying nicely that they are slow. If we play like we have been, this game should be a blowout.

      PSUfanatic25

    • philafan said...

      This the first "big" game for the new era of PSU.....

      I hope I survive till kick off!!

      No one seems to consider NW a big game. I find that odd. They were undefeated and the sexy pick in the Big Ten.

      bonovoxpsu ●

    • I can see Iowa slanting us all game long

      Pac_Lion

    • MTayl72 said...

      1. Away night games are problems for many staffs across the nation, not just PSU. Its a legitimate worry since we don't know what to expect.

      2. You lose any credibility when you mention Illinois as a comparison to Iowa. The difference between the atmosphere in Chambana and what happens in Kinnick is vast. This isn't like going to Illinois. Its a harder place to play, against a much much much better coached staff.

      I guess we'll find out in two days.

      PSUjosh11 ●

    • PSUfanatic25 said...

      We better not be close with Iowa. Everybody who says they play physical is just saying nicely that they are slow. If we play like we have been, this game should be a blowout.

      Pass that stuff you're smoking. It's not a reach to call this our toughest opponent yet. And at night on the road. You expect a blowout? smoke peace

      MDAlum ●

    • PSUjosh11 said...

      PSU BIG. Period!

      This isn't the old staff we're talking about. I think all the "it's Iowa" and a "night game" talk is overblown this year. New staff. New ideas. New mentality. New era. BOB and company keep the throttle on all game long, just like vs. Illinois.

      Are you really putting Iowa in the Illinois category? You are very foolish if you are doing that. Big difference playing in Iowa City at night as opposed to Champbana at any time.

      Hamilton Lion ●

    • MDAlum said...

      Pass that stuff you're smoking. It's not a reach to call this our toughest opponent yet. And at night on the road. You expect a blowout? smokepeace

      I do. shrug

      PSUjosh11 ●

    • Remember the prime time game we played against Wisky a few years ago? We ended up blowing them out.

      I can really see us blowing up Iowa like that this weekend.

      Porter14 ●

    • MDAlum said...

      Pass that stuff you're smoking. It's not a reach to call this our toughest opponent yet. And at night on the road. You expect a blowout? smokepeace

      Don't look at the prediction thread then. You would think we were playing Sacramento State this weekend.

      Hamilton Lion ●

    • Porter14 said...

      Remember the prime time game we played against Wisky a few years ago? We ended up blowing them out.

      I can really see us blowing up Iowa like that this weekend.

      Yeah, but Wisconsin also turned out to be a weak 7-6 team that year and we ended up being a top 10 team. These teams are much closer this year than those teams were that year.

      shavisimo2

    • Hamilton Lion said...

      Don't look at the prediction thread then. You would think we were playing Sacramento State this weekend.

      Thanks, I won't look. Points in our favor would be:

      1. Coming off a bye week, we are as healthy as we've ever been. Maybe even see some excitement rotating Belton in.
      2. Iowa is not as healthy. Doubtful their #1RB goes, and he's a difference maker.
      3. Iowa QB is not lighting it up. He is a pure passer, so lets hope he doesn't flick the switch to ON
      4. Iowa staff actually had to look at film this year!!!

      But I don't see us winning the battle in the trenches. At best its a stalemate. You can win if the big ugglies are even. But you won't dominate.

      Road test. So far we are 1-1 on the road, beating only Illinois, and losing to a horrible UVA team that we should have blown out. That's not a Ficken excuse, because we should have not been in those positions.

      It will be mistakes, as usual, that make the day. MattM has been solid. Stay that way and W. Get pressured into bad decisions, and well, we've seen that show before.

      MDAlum ●

    • PSUjosh11 said...

      I guess we'll find out in two days.

      Ah I see you took from that that I believe we will either lose or barely squeak out a win.

      Wrong. I expect a two score win, if we play within ourselves.

      And from a person who has been aat numerous Illinois and Iowa games as a recruit and spectator, I assure you there is a vast difference.

      MTayl72 ●

Already have an account? Sign In

Add a comment
Want to be involved in the discussion? Start Free Trial
Penn State
247Sports
Features
Resources
Connect

247Sports In partnership with CBS Sports