Penn State already put on upset watch in 2025

For the first time ever, Penn State football will start the season as the No. 2 team in the country. Expectations in Happy Valley are at an all-time high, but already the Nittany Lions are being put on notice for a potential spoiler loss in the middle of their schedule.

Speaking of Iowa recently on his podcast, FOX Big Noon host Joel Klatt reminded Penn State and Oregon – the two top-10 opponents on the Hawkeyes’ home slate – of the perils of playing in Kinnick Stadium.

“Their two toughest games are against Oregon and Penn State. Both of those games are at home in Kinnick,” Klatt said. “Remember now, let’s get back into college football mode. What do we know about Kinnick? This is where top-10 teams go to die, right?

“Someone is going to lose in Kinnick. I think Oregon or Penn State is going to get beat by Iowa. I don’t know which one. I think both these teams are incredible teams. But I can see that happening because of what we trust about their [Iowa’s] defense and what we know about their quarterback Mark Gronowski.”

Penn State football faces familiar foe in Iowa road test

Sep 23, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball as Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Miles Taylor (19) chases during the game at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State knows all too well the difficulties of traveling to Kinnick. The Nittany Lions have been a top 10 team each of the three times they’ve faced Iowa on the road in the James Franklin era. All three contests have been decided by five points or less, including a 23-20 loss the last time the two teams met in Iowa City in 2021.

The script could look different for the Hawkeyes this fall, potentially relying on the arm of incoming transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski. Coming to Iowa from South Dakota State, Gronowski threw for over 10,000 yards and won two national championships at the FCS level.

“This is the type of guy who can pop,” Klatt said of Gronowski. “Experience over talent.”

The Nittany Lions will be battle-tested by their October 18 clash with the Hawkeyes, having faced Oregon in Beaver Stadium the month prior. The daunting road matchup comes ahead of the program’s second bye of the season and two weeks before the Blue and White travel to face Ohio State on November 1.

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