Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, still seeking that elusive win that would tie him for the most all-time Div. I-A coaching victories, will continue his search this weekend in the Midwest.

Paterno and his 0-2 Nittany Lions head to Kinnick Stadium tomorrow at noon EDT to battle Kirk Ferentz and the 2-0 Iowa Hawkeyes.

As always, Penn State's field general had nothing but good things to say about this week's opponent.

"I think Iowa is a very, very good football team," Paterno said at his weekly press conference. "I thought they were good last year. I said at the Big Ten meetings that I felt that, maybe, the sleeper in the Big Ten might be Iowa."

In Iowa City, Ferentz was just as courteous; warning that Penn State may be better than its record indicates. Maybe he just doesn't want to wake a sleeping Lion.

"I'm not trying to coach or analyze their team, but I'll tell you this, I just think they're a dangerous football team," Ferentz said. "So we're extremely concerned with them coming in here."

During their last visit to Iowa City in 1999, the Lions whipped the Hawkeyes 31-7. Penn State leads the all-time series 10-5, though Iowa pulled out a 26-23 overtime upset in Beaver Stadium last season.

Iowa is led by senior quarterback Kyle McCann, senior tailback Ladell Betts and a defense that has shown marked signs of improvement from last season.

"They play really sound defense," Paterno said. "They are very tough against the run. They are a well-balanced football team, and Kirk Ferentz has done a nice job coaching them."

Pardon the Lions if they seem to be weighed down by a sense of urgency. The team has lost 12 of its last 18 games.

"This is a critical game for us," said offensive guard Tyler Lenda. "No matter who we're playing, I think we need a win."

The game also could be crucial for both teams in terms of conference standing. A Penn State win would get the Lions back to 1-1 in the conference, while a loss would put them in an 0-2 hole with contests against Big Ten heavyweights Michigan and Northwestern looming.

Tomorrow is the conference opener for the Hawkeyes, who are playing for the first time in three weeks. Paterno and his troops faced a similar fate Saturday, playing Wisconsin after being idle for two weeks.

The coach doesn't envy Iowa's hefty layover.

"If I had to choose between Iowa's situation and ours, I would take ours," Paterno said. "I think three weeks off is tough. I really do."

The Lions are reeling after being outscored 51-13 during the first two games. Penn State's uninspired play against Miami and Wisconsin may mean some lineup changes will be in order tomorrow.

"I think there is going to be a lot of competition for people to get starting spots," Paterno said, "and competition for people who are going to play and at what level."