Hawkeyes can cement status as serious contender with win

No. 17 Iowa (3-1, 0-0 Big Ten) vs No. 22 Penn State (3-1, 0-0), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Iowa by 7.

Series Record: Tied 11-11.

Last Meeting: Iowa 21-10, 2009.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

This is a chance for Iowa to cement its status alongside Ohio State as a serious contender for the Big Ten title. The Nittany Lions are still an unknown quantity, and a night win in Iowa City could vault them back into the national discussion.

KEY MATCHUP

Penn State OL Chima Okoli vs. Iowa's DL. Okoli will get his first start against perhaps the nation's best defensive line. The Hawkeyes have been moving around Adrian Clayborn, Christian Ballard and Mike Daniels to create favorable matchups, and if Penn State shows a weakness it'll be exploited.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Penn State: QB Robert Bolden will attempt to do what former Penn State star Daryll Clark could not: beat the Hawkeyes. If Bolden, a freshman, can't handle the raucous atmosphere in Iowa City, it could be a long night for the Nittany Lions.

Iowa: RB Marcus Coker. The true freshman will back up starter Adam Robinson, who'll need some breathers in what's expected to be a physical matchup. Coker looked strong in his debut last week, but that performance came against overmatched Ball State.

FACTS & FIGURES

Penn State has racked up the fewest penalty yards of any team in the country. ... Both team's losses came on the road to ranked opponents. Penn State fell 24-3 at No. 1 Alabama and Iowa lost 34-27 at No. 14 Arizona. ... Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker will miss his fourth straight game because of complications from diabetes. ... Penn State held Temple to eight first downs in a 22-13 win last week.