Penn State Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Iowa in Week 6

2. Penn State will win the turnover battle

Iowa’s defense have been complete ball hawks so far this season. They are plus 12 in turnover margin, tops in FBS, and have forced a whopping 16 turnovers. The turnovers have helped to set up the Hawkeyes offense with good field position.

Now Penn State has not been as good at producing takeaways as Iowa has but they still have forced nine total while only giving the ball away three times. All three have been interceptions yet only one could be considered a bad pass from Sean Clifford. Overall the Nittany Lions’ turnover margin is good to be tied for 13th best in FBS.

Now with Iowa being such turnover fiends, one would think such a trend would continue in this game. However James Franklin has really preached not turning over the ball and it is showing. The Hawkeyes may get one turnover in this one, well under their average of 3.2 per game.

Penn State’s defense can take it away. The pass rush is getting home, despite their average of less than two sacks per game. They are putting pressure on quarterbacks, causing them to rush throws or throw into coverage. The Nittany Lions have also had multiple close calls that should have been pick sixes.

So if the Hawkeyes only get one turnover, the Nittany Lions only need two to win the turnover battle. They will get a fumble recovery and find a way to pick Spencer Petras once.