Penn State Football: Ranking 2019 opponents by toughness

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 15: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions throws a pass for a touchdown against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 15, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 27: Mekhi Sargent #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled by Garrett Taylor #17 of the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 27, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Penn State has won the last five meetings with Iowa with the last two being extremely close. In 2017, the Lions escaped with a touchdown on the last play of the game. Last year, the Lions held off the Hawkeyes by six points. Seems Iowa may be due for a win.

Iowa still has Nate Stanley at quarterback but he will be missing some of his best targets with receiver Nick Easley and tight ends TJ Hockenson and Noah Fant all gone. Iowa’s defense a year ago was one of the best in the nation, only allowing just under 18 points per game, but they will now be replacing seven starters.

So with all of what Iowa has to replace, can they really challenge Penn State? Absolutely.

First, Kinnick Stadium is never an easy place to play. Second, the Lions were extremely lucky to escape the last two years and now they don’t have Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley to bail them out.

The Hawkeyes are sure to be in the Big Ten West race and will be a tough outing for the Lions.

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