Ohio State football fans can rejoice since the Buckeyes have officially begun their Big Ten league season. No offence to the three non-conference opponents, but the collective impression among national college football fans was a yawn.
And, while the game at Michigan State raised college football fans’ national awareness, it was somewhat overshadowed by the fact that it was broadcast on Peacock, a streaming platform that not every college football fan owns or uses.
The Buckeyes have a national platform to showcase their skills with a nationally televised game against Iowa on CBS at 3:30 pm ET in October.
While Iowa does not receive national recognition for its offensive prowess, the Hawkeyes are regarded as one of the best teams in the Big Ten and are well-known for their usually strong defences, particularly against the run. Iowa is now allowing an average of 62 yards a game on the ground, for a meagre 2.41 yards per carry. More about that below.
Other major storylines for this game include a homecoming for some of Iowa’s players, most notably TE Luke Lachey and RB Kaleb Johnson. Lachey is the son of famed Ohio State offensive tackle Jim Lachey, and he grew up in the shadow of Ohio Stadium. Lachey is among Iowa’s leading receivers, with 12 grabs for 97 yards.
Kaleb Johnson, from Hamilton, Ohio, is the Big Ten’s leading rusher with 685 yards and 9 touchdowns, but the Buckeyes did not offer him a scholarship out of high school. Johnson raised eyebrows earlier this week when the topic of Ohio State came up, saying, “Even if they offered me, I would not have gone. I want to beat them. “That is my goal.”Something tells me those comments are receiving a lot of exposure at the Woody Hayes Athletic Centre.
Not surprisingly, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has been very positive of Iowa. Coach Day noted on his weekly radio talk before the game on October 3rd, “A very well-coached, physical team that plays complementary football…”When you play against a squad like this, it feels like the ultimate Big Ten game.
Ohio State will wear their unique grey jerseys for this game against Iowa. This will be a hotly anticipated game at Ohio Stadium.
Here are three things to watch for in Iowa’s game on Saturday afternoon:
1. The Ohio State Run defense versus the Iowa rushing orfense
As trite as it may sound, how Ohio State manages, or does not manage, the Iowa running game will be critical to the game. Yes, Iowa has improved their passing game (more on that later), but Iowa will seek to control the time, limit the Ohio State offense’s opportunities with the ball, and generally wear down the Ohio State defence.
The aforementioned Kaleb Johnson averages 8.4 yards per carry; if Iowa can line up on 1st and 10, hand the ball to Johnson, and then look at 2nd and 2 or 2nd and 3, it will simply open up their passing game for play-action throwing.
The Ohio State defence has started slowly in its last two games against Marshall and Michigan State. Hopefully, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has his defence ready for action. I’m wondering if Ohio State sophomore linebacker Arvell Reese will be more involved in Iowa’s defensive game plan; we’ll see.
2. Iowa’s tight ends versus the Ohio State secondary
Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara is likely to target the aforementioned Luke Lachey, as well as fellow tight end Addison Ostrenga. As I have stated, Iowa’s passing game’s performance is heavily dependent on the success of its running game. With quality tight ends like Lachey and Ostrenga, Ohio State’s linebackers, particularly the safeties, will be tested throughout the game.
3. Ohio State’s running game versus Iowa’s run defense
The Hawkeyes are strong against the run and will force the Buckeyes to earn every yard on the ground. Quinshon Judkins has showed a muscular style of play between the tackles, but it will not be unexpected if it takes until the second half of this game for him and teammate running back TreVeyon Henderson to begin averaging more than a couple yards per rush. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard’s legs may come into play here, either on designed quarterback runs or on scrambles for positive gain.
This game will provide Ohio State’s coaches, players, and fans an an idea of how the Buckeyes match up against a top opponent. Iowa may not have the offensive depth to compete with Ohio State, but it would not surprise me if the Hawkeyes were one of the 12 teams in the College Football Playoff come December.
Three keys for an Ohio State football victory over Iowa
Three key players to watch in Ohio State football vs. Iowa clash
Chip Kelly has turned around the Ohio State football team’s offensive line
There could be an Ohio State football coaching conflict brewing
This game will continue until the fourth quarter before Ohio State pulls away. I have it: Ohio State 31, Iowa 17.
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