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Ohio State vs Iowa preview: No. 5 OSU eyes huge road win

Dustin Judge
Ohio State vs Iowa preview: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, home of the Iowa Hawkeyes

No. 5 Ohio State visits No. 14 Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Kinnick Stadium, and this Ohio State vs Iowa preview centers on whether the Buckeyes can win a tough road game after letting one slip at Texas. Their high-powered offense will face a Hawkeyes defense that is allowing just eight points per game.

Ohio State vs Iowa preview: Game information

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
  • Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
  • TV: CBS

Ohio State (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) enters off blowout wins over Kent State and Illinois, while Iowa (4-0, 1-0) is unbeaten after a 20-19 win at then-No. 18 Michigan on Sept. 26. It is Ohio State’s first trip to Kinnick Stadium since 2017, when Iowa won 55-24, according to Yahoo Sports.

Can Ohio State’s offense move the ball against Iowa’s defense?

Julian Sayin has completed 83 of 115 passes for 1,206 yards with 10 touchdowns and one interception, and Jeremiah Smith has caught 33 passes for 617 yards and seven scores, according to ESPN. The Buckeyes piled up 609 yards in their 42-19 win over Illinois on Sept. 26, per Yahoo Sports.

Iowa presents a different challenge, and its defense is the central storyline of this Ohio State vs Iowa preview. The Hawkeyes have allowed 32 points in four games, and ESPN’s Jake Trotter called the trip to Iowa City Ohio State’s biggest test since Texas. The Buckeyes’ only loss came 24-23 at Texas on Sept. 12.

What does Iowa need from Hank Brown and the offense?

Hank Brown has completed 66 of 97 passes for 700 yards and five touchdowns, and he delivered the signature moment of Iowa’s season with a 16-yard, back-shoulder touchdown pass to Reece Vander Zee on the final snap at Michigan. Kamari Moulton leads the ground game with 284 yards on 39 carries, and Tony Diaz has 20 catches for 247 yards, per ESPN.

On the other side of this Ohio State vs Iowa preview, the Hawkeyes’ offense has been efficient rather than explosive, and the Hawkeyes will need Brown and the running game to sustain drives against an Ohio State defense that has allowed 49 points in four games.

How does Ohio State respond after the Texas collapse?

Ohio State blew a 20-point fourth-quarter lead at Texas, and coach Ryan Day said the trip to Iowa is a chance to build on two lopsided wins since. “This is a big opportunity for our team, to go into a tough road environment against a very good team and go get a win,” Day said Tuesday. “That certainly would build a lot of momentum for our season as we move forward.”

Day also came away impressed with how Iowa handled the moment in Ann Arbor. “This is a tough-minded group of players and coaches, you’ve got to give them a lot of credit going on the road and winning like that,” Day said. “They’re going to have a lot of confidence going in this game, especially coming off of that win.”

Key matchup: Ohio State’s offensive line vs. Iowa’s front seven

Iowa’s ability to control the line of scrimmage will determine whether Sayin has time to find Smith and the rest of his receivers. Ohio State’s rushing attack, led by Bo Jackson with 283 yards and two touchdowns on 50 carries, will need room to run. If Iowa forces Ohio State into obvious passing situations, the Hawkeyes’ defense gets a chance to make the kind of game-changing play that has defined their season.

Ohio State vs Iowa preview: Players to watch

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Smith has been Sayin’s most trusted target with 33 catches, 617 yards and seven touchdowns. His matchup against Iowa’s secondary will be key to whether Ohio State can create explosive plays.

Hank Brown, QB, Iowa

Brown threw the biggest pass of Iowa’s season at Michigan, and the Hawkeyes will lean on his decision-making against one of the nation’s stingiest defenses.

Ohio State vs Iowa preview: What to watch

The Iowa game opens a demanding stretch for Ohio State, which visits defending national champion Indiana on Oct. 17 and No. 18 USC on Oct. 31 before hosting No. 15 Oregon, according to ESPN. For Iowa, a victory would validate a 4-0 start and its emergence as a Big Ten contender.

Ohio State leads the all-time series 48-15-3 and has won the past two meetings, according to Yahoo Sports. The Buckeyes return home to face Maryland on Oct. 10. For a matchup-by-matchup look at the numbers, see our earlier No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 14 Iowa breakdown.

Reporting from Yahoo Sports and ESPN contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.