No. 20 Penn State vs. Iowa: Nittany Lions try to extend winning streak to 5

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Penn State (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) vs. Iowa (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten)
Beaver Stadium, State College, Pa.
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

Scouting Penn State
Saquon Barkley rushed for a career-high 207 yards as PSU rolled to a 62-24 victory at Purdue last week. It was the Lions’ most points in a game since they piled up 66 against Coastal Carolina in the 2008 opener, and their most in a Big Ten game since they generated 63 against Illinois in 2005. Barkley, who eclipsed the 200-yard mark for the second time in three games, leads the Big Ten with 888 yards on the ground.

Winners of their last four games, the Lions are No. 12 in the season's first College Football Rankings and jumped from 24th to 20th in the Associated Press poll. They entered the Coaches poll for the first time since 2011, at No. 23.

Quarterback Trace McSorley, who turned the ball over six times during PSU’s 2-2 start, has not coughed it up at all the last four games, having thrown 106 straight passes without an interception.

Scouting Iowa
Iowa was limited to 236 yards and held without a touchdown for the first time this season while losing last Saturday to Wisconsin, 17-9.

The Hawkeyes boast two gifted backs in Akrum Wadley (636 yards, eighth most in the Big Ten) and LeShun Daniels (624, 10th), but are just ninth in the Big Ten in rushing offense (167.9) and 12th in total offense (348.1).

Iowa is, however, good in the red zone on offense and defense, and has allowed the 16th-fewest points in the FBS (18.9 per game). The Hawkeyes are also plus-seven in turnover margin, which is 12th-best nationally. They have also allowed 20 sacks, the fourth most in the conference.

Iowa has won its last nine on the road, and five of its last seven in Beaver Stadium.

History
Penn State leads the all-time series 13-12 and has won the two most recent meetings, in 2011 and ’12.

Storyline to watch
Iowa is always solid and steady. The Hawkeyes have also wrecked PSU’s season before, notably handing it a 24-23 loss after the Lions won their first nine games in 2008.

What’s at stake
There are scenarios under which the Lions might make the Rose Bowl, should they win their last four games. Other gurus have them going to the Outback Bowl. Either way, there is a lot riding on the final month of their season.

Prediction
Penn State 28, Iowa 20

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