The vibe has been so bad at Penn State that it should require longer than one week to reverse course. Interim coach Terry Smith, filling the vacated shoes of James Franklin, must not only lift spirits but game-plan with freshman QB Ethan Grunkenmeyer, who steps in for injured Drew Allar with minimal experience (13 career passes thrown). The youngster squares off against the No. 7 defense in FBS. Iowa, by contrast, is riding high from a 37-0 smackdown of Wisconsin, and QB Mark Gronowski is growing healthier after playing hurt for much of the season. The old coach, Kirk Ferentz, should school his unseasoned counterpart.
I still can't believe that Penn State, a team which made the final four in college football last season, fired James Franklin only six games in. Incredible turn of events. The Nittany Lions are the only winless team against the spread (0-6) and face an Iowa team who is 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games. Expect Iowa's fantastic rush defense to sell out to stop Penn State's ground attack and make new QB Ethan Grunkemeyer try to beat them. He won't. Iowa 24, Penn State 13.
