Another Saturday of college football, another miraculous late game comeback by an Iowa team aided, once again, by a few second half calls that somehow always seem to go the Hawkeyes way.

Granted, Iowa showed great resiliency in its 42-24 comeback against Indiana. But would they have even had a chance if not for another group of inept officials who took 14 Hoosier points off the scoreboard on obvious TD catches?

The worst – which was on-par with a few horrible calls a week earlier at Michigan State – was the diving reception by IU’s Terrance Turner. It was actually called correct on the field (I know, they must have gotten lucky) and then, amazingly, overturned by the replay official, who watched it numerous times, in slow motion, and wronged a right. What is it about “indisputable video evidence” that these guys just can’t seem to grasp?

It means that the fourth-ranked Hawkeyes are still in the Big Ten driver’s seat at 5-0 (9-0 overall). The winner of Saturday’s Penn State-Ohio State clash will stay close on Iowa’s heels at 5-1. But even if the No. 11 Nittany Lions (4-1, 8-1) win out, they probably won’t be able to overtake the Hawks because the 21-10 setback to Iowa on Sept. 26 in Happy Valley would break any potential tie.

It’s difficult, however, to imagine any scenario in which PSU wouldn’t get an at-large bid to a BCS bowl game if they finish the regular season 11-1. And it is possible -- if the Lions stub their toe once more -- they could still slip in to the BCS mix at 10-2, although that wouldn’t be advisable.

But this much is certain: Unless Iowa losses at Ohio State (very possible) and then also drops one of its two remaining home games against either Northwestern or Minnesota (doubtful, especially with the Hawkeyes monopoly on favorable treatment from the refs), there is nothing Penn State can do the rest of the way to earn another trip to the Rose Bowl. – NEIL GEOGHEGAN.