PSU vs. Iowa X factor

[$-train]

First, no disrespect by this post. All thoughts are with the Ferentz family.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz' father passed away Sunday after the big Ohio State win. The Iowa team could come out on fire in support of their coach. Anyone have any experience with this--when two evenly matched teams meet each other under circumstances like this?

[joepa66]

This season UCF's George O'Leary's mother passed away just before the Wisconsin game but the Knights still got blitzed 34-6....but of course we are talking about UCF, don't think it made much of a difference in that game....however, it could motivate or detract from this week's preparation even though the other coaches carry on biz per usual.....

[redsfann]

They--meaning head coach Kirk Ferentz and his son, starting Center Brian Ferentz-- will catch up to the team in Happy Valley Friday evening after funeral services Friday morning.

All accounts from the Iowa A.D. and others reporting on the team that its business as usual for the Hawkeyes as they get set to travel from Iowa City tommarow.

Only problem I have with your post is you refer to the two teams as "evenly matched."

Gotta disagree with you as Penn State is pathetic and Iowa is probably the 3rd best team in the Big-10 right now behind Purdue and Wisconsin. Bu thats just a die hard Iowa fan talking, so take that for what its worth. I jumped on Iowa +2.5 as soon as it came out, and will add to it if the line ever reaches 3. Good Luck in whatever side you play in this one....

[Stifler's Mom]

With the exception that I see Michigan coming on pretty strong, I must agree that it seems Iowa is one of the better teams in the big 10 with their strong D and an offense that has seemed to "wake up" a bit in mowing over the Ohio St D.

Penn St does have a real tough defense too though, so that should be enough to keep em in the game, and anything can happen if it's close, especially when you factor in that homefield advantage at Penn St.

I also wonder if Penn St will have a letdown after being so up for the Purdue game, getting so close, but not quite getting it done for the W?

Iowa looked real good last week against Ohio St, but Ohio St isn't very good this year IMO, and that game was at home for Iowa, and often times Iowa's performances are like night and day between home/away.

No real question Iowa is the better team, so I'm kinda suspicious as to why they are getting points in this one, even with Penn St being at home.