#5 Ohio State faces #14 Iowa next Saturday, Oct. 3, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa at 3:30 PM. This game will present a challenge for the Buckeyes, as this is the toughest opponent they have faced this season. The test should be good for the Buckeyes, as they have a difficult and well-documented schedule.
There are several things about Iowa that will challenge #5 Ohio State. First, Iowa is known to have a strong defense. They have one again this season. The Buckeyes have struggled to run the ball, as their offensive line has not gotten the necessary push. Kinnick Stadium is also a tough place to play, with several notable traditions that fire up fans. Do you think the Buckeyes could lose this game?
#5 Ohio State Against #14 Iowa Preview
#14 Iowa presents a challenge for the #5 Ohio State Buckeyes. There are several things readers need to know by way of a preview of this game. Iowa is good, and there are several great traditions in place at Kinnick Stadium.
Strong Defense at Iowa
The most important factor in this game will be that the Iowa defense will challenge #5 Ohio State. Phil Parker is entering his fifteenth season, the longest-tenured defensive coordinator in the nation. He also coaches the defensive secondary. They currently rank eleventh in the nation in total defense. If #5 Ohio State cannot move the ball down the field, its powerful offense will be bottled up. One thing to look for is if Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith can have another great game. Defenses have no answer for him, so the good defense for Iowa will have a challenge guarding him.
Ball Control Offense
Iowa is famously a conservative and ball control offense. This leads to extreme time of possession for the Hawkeyes. Iowa is only 79th in time of possession this season; however, if they run the ball, they will eat up the clock. Running the ball and chewing up time will mean the powerful offense for the #5 Buckeyes will be on the sidelines, where it cannot score points.
Highly Experienced Coach in Kirk Ferentz
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz has been the head coach of the team for a whopping 27 seasons. He has seen many things on the football field and was the coach for Iowa against Ohio State when it was coached by Jim Tressel. Tressel is now the Lieutenant Governor of the state of Ohio. The great experience of Frenentz gives the Hawkeyes an edge in every game. There is no substitute for experience in coaching football. Coaches often must alter their plans in real time, and experience helps.
Waiving to Pediatric Cancer Patients
There are several great traditions in Iowa City that fire up fans and deserve mention. One is particularly noteworthy. When the first quarter ends, all 70,000 fans at Kinnick Stadium turn and wave to the Pediatric Cancer patrons at the nearby Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. The kids are watching the game from the windows in the hospital. This tradition is great and fires up the fans.
Conclusion
This will be a difficult game for the #5 Ohio State Buckeyes. As of Sept. 29, they are 13.5-point favorites. Bettors know something; however, Iowa always gives the Buckeyes a good game, especially at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The betting line is likely to get closer, and this game will almost certainly be closer than the final betting line. The Hawkeyes do not have an answer for Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. It is very likely he will be the difference in this game.
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