Carnell Tate

This Saturday at 3:30 PM on CBS, Ohio State will host Iowa in a pivotal Big Ten clash at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes enter the game undefeated at 4-0, while the Hawkeyes sit at 3-1, with their only loss coming on a last-second field goal to Iowa State, a team currently ranked in the top 20.

Historically, Ohio State has dominated this matchup, leading the all-time series 47-15-3. The Buckeyes have won eight of their last ten meetings with Iowa and are perfect when playing in Columbus during that span. However, road trips to Iowa City have been more challenging, with Ohio State winning just three of their last five games at Kinnick Stadium. One of the most painful losses came in 2017, when the Hawkeyes handed Ohio State a stunning 55-24 defeat.

The last time these two teams met, Ohio State cruised to a dominant 54-10 victory in 2022. Head coach Ryan Day is 1-0 against Iowa, while Kirk Ferentz, Iowa’s longtime coach, holds a 2-9 career record against the Buckeyes, with victories coming in 2004 and 2017.

Ohio State’s Offensive Firepower

Ohio State’s offense, led by quarterback Will Howard, has been electric this season. Howard has thrown for 1,039 yards and eight touchdowns while completing 72 of his 105 pass attempts. His offensive line has done an outstanding job protecting him, as Howard has only been sacked once all year. The Buckeyes’ ground game is equally impressive, with Quinshon Judkins leading the team with 390 rushing yards and TreVeyon Henderson adding 276 yards. Together, the two backs have combined for nine rushing touchdowns.

In the receiving corps, Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka have been standout performers. Smith leads the team with 364 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while Egbuka is close behind with 362 yards. Both players are on pace for 1,000-yard seasons, rekindling memories of past Ohio State receiving greats like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave.

Iowa’s Defense: A Formidable Test

Iowa’s defense, as always, is tough and physical, anchored by standout defensive tackles Y.A. Black and Aaron Graves. Graves has been a disruptive force with three sacks in the opening game alone, drawing comparisons to dominant linemen like Ndamukong Suh. The secondary, led by cornerback Jamari Harris and safety Xavier Nwankpa, is among the best in the nation. Iowa’s defense thrives on forcing turnovers, something the Buckeyes will have to guard against.

The Hawkeyes’ Offense: Ground and Pound

Offensively, Iowa leans heavily on their ground game, led by running back Caleb Johnson, who has shown flashes of power and explosiveness. The Hawkeyes’ offensive line, anchored by Logan Jones and Connor Colby, has improved recently, giving their run game a boost. Quarterback Cade McNamara, a former Michigan Wolverine, has struggled with consistency but has the experience to handle high-pressure situations. Iowa will look to control the clock with their running attack and short passing game.

Ohio State’s Defensive Challenge

Ohio State’s defense, which has allowed just 27 points over the first four games, will face a test in stopping Iowa’s run-heavy offense. Led by JT Tuimoloau and Tommy Eichenberg, the Buckeyes will look to stifle Johnson and force McNamara into difficult passing situations. The Buckeyes’ defense has excelled at applying pressure, recording 13 sacks this season, and forcing Iowa to abandon the run could lead to mistakes in the passing game.

Special Teams: The X-Factor

Special teams could play a crucial role in this game. Iowa punter Reese Dakin is known for flipping field position, and kicker Drew Stevens has been reliable. Ohio State will need to be cautious of Iowa’s dangerous return game, as Caden Wietjean is a threat to break off a big play.

Prediction

This game will likely be a classic Big Ten battle. Iowa’s defense will keep things close, but Ohio State’s offensive firepower, led by Will Howard, will eventually break through. With the home-field advantage at the Horseshoe and more explosive playmakers, the Buckeyes should pull away late.