Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s Week 6 matchup against Iowa is set for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 5, and will be televised nationally on CBS. This marks the Buckeyes’ second appearance on the network this season, following their dominant 52-6 win over Akron in the opener. As Ohio State returns to Ohio Stadium for the first time since its September 21 victory over Michigan State, the classic CBS college football theme will once again set the tone for what promises to be a significant Big Ten showdown.
Ranked No. 3 in the latest AP Poll, the Buckeyes enter this stretch of the season with a perfect record. While the team has yet to face a ranked opponent, that will soon change with games against Iowa, Michigan State, and Oregon on the horizon. Ohio State’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, but the real test lies ahead as conference play intensifies.
Iowa’s Season So Far
Iowa began the 2024 season ranked No. 25 in the preseason AP poll, briefly rising to No. 21 after an opening-week blowout win over Illinois State. However, a narrow 20-19 loss to in-state rival Iowa State in Week 2 dropped the Hawkeyes out of the top 25. Despite their early stumble, Iowa rebounded with back-to-back wins over Troy and Minnesota, improving to 3-1. With Iowa on a bye this weekend, they will enter the matchup against Ohio State as an unranked but dangerous opponent.
Led by quarterback Cade McNamara, Iowa’s offense has shown improvement compared to previous seasons, scoring 38 points against Troy and 31 against Minnesota. However, Ohio State’s defense will be their toughest test yet.
The History Between Ohio State and Iowa
Since the year 2000, Ohio State has largely dominated the series against Iowa, winning eight of the last 10 meetings. The Buckeyes’ most recent loss to the Hawkeyes came in 2017 in Iowa City, a game that stung Ohio State fans deeply. However, in Columbus, the Buckeyes have been nearly unbeatable, winning seven straight against Iowa at Ohio Stadium. Iowa’s last win in Columbus dates all the way back to 1991, underscoring the difficulty of playing in The Shoe.
As Big Ten play ramps up, the outcome of this game will have significant implications for both teams. Ohio State and five other Big Ten teams, including Oregon and Penn State, remain undefeated. With Ohio State aiming to maintain its perfect record and Iowa looking to play spoiler, this Week 6 clash is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the Buckeyes’ quest for a conference title.
