The Iowa Hawkeyes hope to stay unbeaten in the Big Ten when they host Penn State under the lights. The Hawkeyes won a defensive tug of war in double overtime at Michigan State last week and coach Kirk Ferentz says this will be another tough challenge for the Iowa offense.
Ferentz says their defense is not identical to what they have been, but it is identical and will provide a tough matchup. After an 0-2 start Penn State has won four straight and Ferentz says the off the field problems of the past year have provided motivation.
“To me they look like they are altogether, they’ve all bought in, they’ve given the new staff a chance,” Ferentz says.
With Mark Weisman hobbled by an ankle injury Ferentz says the Hawks may need more out of their passing game. He says they are down a couple of proven backs and will have to try and compensate for that.
Both teams are 4-2 overall.
The Iowa State Cyclones are on the road in the Big 12 to take on Oklahoma State. A yuear ago the Cyclones dashed the Cowboys national title hopes with a double overtime victory in Ames. This years Oklahoma State team may not be at that level but the offense remains explosive.
Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads says they will have to match up quickly because the Cowboys move at a frantic pace. He this is a much different matchup as they are just getting started in the league race and OSU has been playing a couple of different quarterbacks.
Rhoads says the Cyclones are prepared for a hostile environment as he says they have great fans who give their team a lift.