Friday Night Prediction

Yes Iowa played Ball St last weekend. As for my recap: Iowa played Ball St. Nothing big other than a good showing by Iowa in a 45-0 win.

This week opens Big Ten play with Iowa hosting Penn St under the lights at Kinnick Stadium. This will be the 4th true night game that I've been to at Kinnick and each time has been amazing. The game itself should be close as Iowa and Penn St always have good battles. Penn St has a true freshman quarterback for the first time since Joe Paterno took over as head coach. Sure they have gone into Alabama, which I'm sure is hostile, but this is Big Ten play under the lights at the very close confines of Kinnick Stadium. The crowd is almost right on the playing field and the noise level on the field is second to none (yes I know how it is since I sit in the 3rd row). If I don't have a voice on Sunday it will be a good thing.

I don't see Iowa struggling too much in this game. Penn St isn't what it was the past two seasons. They still have some of the same players but they have also lost a lot of talent to graduation. On the flip-side Iowa seems to have as much, if not more, talent than last year's team.

This is also the first ever "spirit night" to help celebrate Homecoming Week. Fans sitting in even numbered sections are to wear gold and fans in the odd sections, and students, will be in black. Word on Twitter is that pompoms of the section's color will be on every seat to help with the effect. Boise St pulled it off last week so I know Iowa should have no problem with it. I even went out and bought a gold hoodie today so that I'll be safe.

Night games also means lots of tailgating. I hope everyone is safe and smart with their tailgating and no one gets hurt, either before, during, and after the game. My cousin works in the University of Iowa Hospital ER and said that it was really busy after the Michigan game (also a night game) last year. Hopefully this doesn't happen again. Yes I will partake in a few beers but I won't be going overboard on my drinking, I hope others do the same.

Final prediction: Iowa 28 Penn St 10

Go Hawks!