Is Iowa ready to be a player, or will Ohio State keep on doing it performance art thing as it rolls on through the season?
Alabama and Georgia might have something to say about it, but Ohio State is the best team in college football.
The offense is able to play around with all the toys in the box while the defense keeps everyone under wraps. In the first test of the year, the Buckeyes were hardly stressed in a 38-7 win at Western Michigan.
Iowa lost to Iowa State on a last second field goal, and since then it’s been terrific. It got a little sloppy in the loss to Troy, and then rumbled on, over, and through Minnesota in a 31-14 win.
The rest of the Hawkeye schedule is winnable – there’s no Michigan, Penn State, or Oregon. Pull off the shocker, and …
Ohio State vs Iowa Preview
Ohio State vs Iowa How to Watch
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2024
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
How to Watch: CBS
Ohio State (4-0), Iowa (3-1)
Why Iowa Will Win
Iowa is trying to get the passing game going a bit more, and it’s not happy with the old three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-punt style, but in this, the idea is to slam the pace to a dead stop.
Be deliberate, win third downs, win the turnover battle, run well enough to set up manageable plays, control the clock for over 33 minutes, avoid getting hit with the big home run.
You know. Be Iowa.
Ohio State has yet to snap the ball under any measure of stress. Against a Hawkeye run defense that has yet to allow 90 yards on the ground and hasn’t given up a touchdown, the pressure will finally be on the Buckeye offense, but …
Why Ohio State Will Win
You think Iowa has a defense? Try this.
Ever since the epic 42-41 College Football Playoff loss to Georgia to end the 2022 season, the defense allowed more than 17 points just once in the last 17 games – the 30-24 loss to Michigan last year.
Yes, Iowa does have a bit more to its offensive repertoire, but no, it doesn’t have a downfield passing attack to worry about. However, the Hawkeye O line has been great so far.
Even so, stop RB Kaleb Johnson, control the field position, and get up fast with one quick strike in the first half. Do that, and …
Ohio State vs Iowa: Who Will Win
The fans of Columbus will be a little nervous for a while because of Iowa.
The Buckeyes’ big play will always look like it is on the way, but it will not happen often enough for anyone to get comfortable.
It will be a slow game until the end of the third quarter, but Ohio State will finally score. The Iowa offence will be shut down by the defence.
Ohio State vs Iowa Prediction, Betting Lines
Ohio State 31, Iowa 13
Line: Ohio State -20.5, o/u: 45
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Ohio State vs Iowa Must See Rating: 4
