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For the first time in seven years, Clemson is out. Like, out out. Dabo Swinney’s Tigers fell out of the AP Top 25 despite beating Boston College, albeit unconvincingly, over the weekend.
The Tigers have one of the worst offenses in college football as DJ Uiagalelei has been not good as the heir to Trevor Lawrence’s throne. Swinney isn’t ready to give up on the sophomore quarterback just yet, but things aren’t looking good for Clemson or the ACC as a whole.
Speaking of things not looking good, Penn State’s running game. Yes, it took a step forward during the Nittany Lions’ 24-0 win over Indiana, but still ranks much lower than anticipated ahead of the season. As a result, James Franklin has issued a sort of ultimatum to the running back room.
That running game will need to take another step as the Nittany Lions face one of the best defenses in the nation this Saturday, in what may be the biggest game in Iowa since before I was born.
The Hawkeyes boast the best turnover margin in the country, and while the offense hasn’t been stellar, it hasn’t had to be.
Here's an unbelievable stat I just encountered while working on something. Iowa is dead last in the Big Ten in total offense per game. They average just 320 yards.
— David Eckert (@davideckert98) October 4, 2021
They are fourth in the Big Ten in points per game. Think turnovers and field position matter to them? Jeez.
Penn State’s fairly recent history against Top 5 opponents is far from stellar, but things worked out pretty well the last time a 4th-ranked Nittany Lions squad went to Kinnick Stadium.
The last time Penn State traveled to Iowa as the no 4 team in the nation @McSorley_IX connected with @juwanplease for this game winning score on the last play of this ‘17 matchup.
— Saturday Gameday (@SaturdayGameday) October 5, 2021
Can the Nittany Lions do it again on Saturday against a much tougher Iowa team? #WeAre #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/ffty1H0iDW