What’s at stake?
Iowa will be the toughest test yet for the Buckeyes, who have shut down every opponent to date. Last week, Ohio State went to East Lansing and defeated Michigan State 38-7 in the first Big Ten game of the season. Aside from a one-point loss to Iowa State on September 7, the Hawkeyes have also won by comfortable margins. On September 21, they defeated Minnesota 31-14 behind Kaleb Johnson, who is second in the nation in rushing yards. The Buckeyes undertake a rigorous two-game stretch, followed by Iowa with a top 10 matchup with No. 6 Oregon in Eugene.
Key match
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith vs. Iowa CB Jermari Harris. Smith is every bit the playmaker he was advertised as when he arrived as the No. 1 national recruiting prospect. His one-handed catch for a touchdown against Michigan State illustrated the point. Harris is Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated cornerback among players who have played in more than two games. He has two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown.
Players to watch
Iowa: Johnson has already racked up 685 yards and nine touchdowns in four games this season. The Hamilton, Ohio, native ran for a career-high 206 yards and three touchdowns on September 21 at Minnesota. He has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the Hawkeyes games thus far.
Ohio State: WR Emeka Egbuka has 21 catches for 362 yards — two yards shy of Smith’s total — and two touchdowns. Against Michigan State, he had seven catches for a team-leading 96 yards and a touchdown.
Facts & figures
Iowa and Ohio State split their last two meets. The Buckeyes won 54-10 at Ohio Stadium in 2022. Five seasons earlier, the Hawkeyes stunned then-No. 5 Ohio State 55-24 in Iowa City. … Iowa has lost eight straight games at the Horseshoe. … The last time Iowa beat Ohio State twice in a row was 1922-23. … Ferentz tied Chicago’s Amos Alonzo Stagg for second with his 199th Big Ten victory Sept. 21 at Minnesota. He trails only legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes (205). … Johnson is the first Hawkeye since Mark Weisman in 2012 to have four consecutive 100-yard rushing games. … Iowa has 200 or more rushing yards in each of its first four games, a first since 2013.
