Pittsburgh @ Iowa preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 20, 2008 ) Iowa 20, Pittsburgh 21

THE STORY: After a pair of closer-than-expected victories against Buffalo and FCS Maine, Pittsburgh head coach Todd Graham will be looking for his first signature win this week at Iowa. The Panthers are 2-0 under Graham, who took over in the offseason after a four-year stint at Tulsa. Meanwhile, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, who was a graduate assistant for the Panthers in 1980, looks for his team to bounce back after a 44-41 loss to rival Iowa State in triple overtime. Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 3-1, and defeated the Hawkeyes 21-20 in the most recent meeting in 2008.

TV: ESPN2. LINE: Iowa -3.

ABOUT PITTSBURGH (2-0): Ray Graham, the nation’s leading rusher with 322 yards and six touchdowns, has carried the offense despite a poor showing from the offensive line, which allowed seven sacks in last week’s 35-29 victory over Maine. Quarterback Tino Sunseri has been inefficient in Graham’s offense, and has more interceptions (two) than touchdowns (one) through two games. Pittsburgh’s defense limited the Black Bears to 37 rushing yards on 25 attempts.

ABOUT IOWA (1-1): Marcus Coker rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the Cyclones, who beat Iowa for the first time since 2007. The Hawkeyes have limited opponents to just one sack in the first two games, which has enabled James Vandenberg to avoid turnovers and throw for 426 yards and four touchdowns. Iowa’s defense, which allowed five touchdowns in the Cyclones’ final six possessions, will have to be better if it hopes to slow down Pittsburgh’s high-octane attack.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Pittsburgh is 40-12 since 2000 when it has a 100-yard rusher.

2. The Panthers are 5-12 in their last 17 road openers, and have lost three straight non-conference regular season road games, including last year’s 23-17 loss at Notre Dame.

3. Ferentz is 38-17 against non-conference opponents and Iowa is 5-4 against Big East opponents with its last win coming in a 35-0 rout of Syracuse in 2007.

PREDICTION: Iowa 28, Pittsburgh 24 – Ferentz is one of the best bounce-back coaches in the country, and the Hawkeyes should be able to come away with a close victory against a Panthers team still trying to find its way.