Penn State coach James Franklin: Not wild about visiting Iowa City

When a team vaults to No. 3 in Associated Press’ football Top 25, it’s going to get noticed.

Here’s what Penn State Coach James Franklin said about the Hawkeyes Saturday night after his team’s 24-0 win over Indiana, and what some writers said about Iowa since its 51-14 win at Maryland last Friday:

Franklin: “I didn't get a chance to actually watch the (Iowa-Maryand) game, but I followed it on social media. I have had a chance to see them a couple other times just on TV. They're playing really good, and they're able to run the ball. They're playing great defense, and they have. That defensive coordinator has been doing a really good job. And what's amazing is, you've turned on the tape from yesterday, turn on tape from six years ago, you turn tape off for 12 years ago, they do what they do, and they do it well. The fact that they're always in zone coverage and they always have eyes on the quarterback. They have these massive defensive linemen that are able to get pressure and bat balls down.

“There's not a whole lot I look forward to going to Iowa City. I am looking forward to the hospital, and waving to those children, but that's the only thing I'm looking forward to, but it will be a tremendous challenge.”

Ralph D. Russo, Associated Press college football writer: “Iowa’s only foray into the teeth of the Big Ten East is against Penn State, so the Hawkeyes have to be feeling good about their chances of reaching the conference title game out of an otherwise uninspiring division.”

Pete Thamel, Yahoo Sports: “Certainly, no one would expect the consistently understated Ferentz to make a bold proclamation that Iowa is in the thick of the playoff race. But it’s clear that this Iowa team has the capability and trajectory to join the other gold-standard Ferentz teams — Orange Bowl teams in 2002 and 2009 and a Rose Bowl team in 2015. And by staying solid, there appears to be a potential path for a team like Iowa in a year when few programs are spectacular.”

Pat Forde, Sports Illustrated: “The winner of the Iowa-Penn State game Saturday will be elevated into prime position — and if that winner is the Hawkeyes, the rest of the schedule looks manageable. In the East, the five-Saturday stretch from Oct. 30 through Nov. 27 could be all kinds of fun, with Michigan (5-0), Michigan State (5-0), the Nittany Lions (5-0) and the Buckeyes (4-1) all playing three games against each other.”