Penn State outgained Nebraska by 203 yards last week.

It was the second loss of the season (Indiana) where the Nittany Lions dominated the game in terms of total yardage.

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford once again got off to a debilitating start with two turnovers that directly led to Nebraska scores in the first half, helping to put the Nittany Lions in an all too familiar hole this season - trailing big (27-6) at intermission.

Enter Will Levis, who should’ve been inserted into the starting quarterback role a week prior after Clifford struggled so badly against Maryland. Levis gave the Penn State offense a spark, throwing for 219 yards and rushing for 61 yards without turning the football over. The Nittany Lions outscored Nebraska 17-3 in the second half and had two possessions late in the fourth quarter inside the Cornhuskers 11-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs on each possession.

No one really knows what is going on right now with the Penn State football program. Is it trust issues between all the new coaching hires and the players? Did the new coaches not get enough time with players to get them to buy into their coaching style? Are the losses of playmakers Micah Parsons, Journey Brown and Noah Cain taking a toll more than people expected?

There are a myriad of issues and possibilities of why this team is struggling, but one thing I can diagnose is that in-game play calling needs to better. I will never understand why eight pass plays were called in the red zone on Penn State’s final two possessions last week. I understand things tighten up in the red zone, but your offense just ran the ball down the field successfully in order to get yourself in scoring position and you don’t call one run play?

It honestly makes zero sense, especially considering offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca’s offense is predicated on being able to run the football, which sets up the run/pass option. Not running the football one time in eight plays inside the 11-yard line doesn’t fit what Ciarrocca likes to do. Like I said, I can’t figure it out and I believe if there was better play calling on either of those two drives Penn State wins the football game.

Now, onto this week’s opponent in the Iowa Hawkeyes (BTN, 3:30 EST). Iowa has bounced back nicely after starting the season 0-2 with convincing wins over Michigan State (47-9) and Minnesota (35-7). The Hawkeyes are not the type of team you want to play when you’re struggling because they’re physical, fundamental, play good defense and don’t turn the ball over.

The recipe for success for Iowa in its last two wins has been running the football and creating turnovers. The Hawkeyes are averaging 230.5 yards per game on the ground over their past two ball games and they have come up with an impressive five interceptions.

Although Penn State head coach James Franklin has said he has not decided who will start at quarterback this afternoon, I believe his hand is forced due to Clifford’s turnovers this season. Levis proved he can come in and run the offense effectively without turning over the football. I think you’re going to see a heavy dose of Levis, Devyn Ford, Keyvonne Lee and Caziah Holmes running the football and the potential for a few big plays to wide receivers Jahan Dotson and Parker Washington. Dotson has been great throughout the season and Washington has impressed as a true freshman – 56.3 receiving yards per game and three touchdowns.

It will not be an easy day offensively as Iowa is giving up just 15.25 points per game and ranks 17th in the country in total defense. The play of Penn State’s offensive line in the run game will be key and Levis will need to make quick accurate throws in the passing game. The offensive game plan is simple for the Nittany Lions – keep moving the sticks and take care of the football.

With Levis presumably starting at quarterback, I expect the Penn State defense to not have to deal with so much sudden change early in the game. I want to see what the defense can play like without being at a distinct field position disadvantage right from the get go. Still, it’s the same old story this week with the Nittany Lions’ “D.” The defense needs to get pressure on the quarterback, tackle better in space and create turnovers. I liked the way the defense played in the second half against Nebraska last week, basically shutting them down. The defense needs to build off that momentum and get off to a good start against the Hawkeyes.

Penn State has won the last six games against Iowa with the last three being decided by 13 combined points. I think this one will be close as well with both teams’ offensive focus on running the football. I think the turnover battle will decide this one and even with the turnover prone Clifford out of the lineup, I expect the Hawkeyes (plus-four turnover differential) to win that battle.

My pick is Iowa 27, Penn State 24.