Penn State Football: 3 bold predictions vs Iowa in Week 4

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(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

3. Saquon Barkley has more receiving yards than rushing yards

In Penn State’s Week 3 trouncing of the Georgia State Panthers, Saquon Barkley did something he’d never done before in his storied college football career; he had more yards through the air than on the ground.

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Highlighted by a miraculous 85-yard reception at the end of the first quarter, Barkley finished the game with 47 rushing yards on 10 carries, and an incredible 142 receiving yards on only four catches.

Iowa Head coach Kirk Ferentz’ squad runs a throwback, zone-based cover-2, 4-3 defense that is usually incredibly stout against the run.

Yards between the tackles have been hard to come by against Iowa in Ferentz’ 18-year tenure. This season the Hawkeyes currently ranked 23^rd in the nation against the run. But Iowa has yet to face off against a running back like Saquon Barkley.

Not only is Barkley an otherworldly threat as a runner, but Barkley can absolutely trash opposing defenses with his pass-catching abilities. Over his career, Barkley has amassed 804 receiving yards on 59 catches, good for a 13.5 yards-per-catch average.

If the Hawkeyes choose to stack the box with their base defense, a package they keep on the field for virtually the entire game regardless of matchup, offense of coordinator Joe Moorhead can put his best playmaker in space and let him do what he does best, make opposing defenders miss.

This game should continue Saquon Barkley’s impressive Heisman Trophy campaign. It should serve as a perfect opportunity to show just how dangerous he is as a receiving threat out of the backfield.

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