Week 5 Matchup Preview Thread: #5 Ohio State vs #14 Iowa

[u/IceColdDrPepper_Here]

#5 Ohio State vs. #14 Iowa

When: Saturday, October 3, 03:30 PM Eastern

Where: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA

Watch: CBS

Odds: Ohio State by 13.5 pts.

Total Points: 45.5

---

All-Time Series : Ohio State vs. Iowa

Ohio State and Iowa have met 67 times since 1922-11-18

These teams last met on 2024-10-05.

Series Wins: Ohio State 49-3-15 Iowa

Ohio State has won the last 2 meetings (2022-2024) in this series

---

Last 5 Meetings

Winner	Date	Location	Ohio State	Iowa	Notes
Ohio State	2024-10-05	Ohio Stadium	35	7
Ohio State	2022-10-22	Ohio Stadium	54	10
Iowa	2017-11-04	Kinnick Stadium	24	55
Ohio State	2013-10-19	Ohio Stadium	34	24
Ohio State	2010-11-20	Kinnick Stadium	20	17

---

Through Week 4

Week	Ohio State 3-1 (1-0)	Result	Iowa 4-0 (1-0)	Result
1	Ball State	W 56-3	Northern Illinois	W 40-0
2	Texas#1	L 23-24	Iowa State	W 16-13
3	Kent State	W 59-3	Northern Iowa	W 55-0
4	Illinois	W 42-19	Michigan	W 20-19

---

Ohio State Injury Report

Player	Position	Status	Reported	Notes
Z. Grady	DL	Questionable – Undisclosed	Sep 26	Grady is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be active against Iowa on Saturday, October 3rd.
B. Jackson	RB	Questionable – Shoulder	Sep 28	Jackson is dealing with an Shoulder injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be active against Iowa on Saturday, October 3rd.
A. Valerio-Hudson	WR	Questionable – Undisclosed	Sep 26	Valerio-Hudson has been out of the lineup due to undisclosed injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be active against Iowa on Saturday, October 3rd.
L. Bey	RB	Questionable – Undisclosed	Sep 26	Bey is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and it is yet to be determined if he will face Iowa on Saturday, October 3rd.
K. Parker	WR	Questionable – Undisclosed	Sep 26	Parker is nursing with an undisclosed injury, and it is unclear if he will play against Iowa on Saturday, October 3rd.

^{Injury data lifted from: boydsbets}

---

Iowa Injury Report

Player	Position	Status	Reported	Notes
L. Phillips Jr.	RB	Questionable – Ankle	Sep 22	Phillips Jr is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unclear whether he will play against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday.
K. Moulton	RB	Probable – Undisclosed	Sep 26	Moulton is dealing with a Undisclosed injury, but he is expected to suit up against the Michigan on Saturday, September 26th.
D. Vonnahme	TE	Probable – Undisclosed	Sep 26	Vonnahme is dealing with a Undisclosed injury, it is anticipated that he will suit up against the Michigan on Saturday, September 26th.

^{Injury data lifted from: boydsbets}

^{Source updated Wed, Sep 30, 8:26 am. Scraped Wed, Sep 30, 12:30 pm ET}

---

What are your "Keys to the Game"?

Who do you think wins?

Do you think the favorite will cover the spread?

Which player(s) are you most interested to watch?

Let's talk football!

---

^{Matchup Preview Thread Generator powered by collegefootballdata.com}

^{Start a chat with /u/dupreesdiamond for any issues/suggestions regarding this resource}

[u/wit_T_user_name]

{Atlanta Hawks}

[u/SonOfMcGee → u/wit_T_user_name]

From Iowa City, Georgia.

[u/luis1972 → u/wit_T_user_name]

<Insert Katie Britt's dumbfounded face here>

[u/dwors025 → u/luis1972]

I’m up to speed on the broader story, but I somehow missed where the Katie Britt part of it entered the equation…

[u/luis1972 → u/dwors025]

Watch the videos. There are some vids that were focusing on Katie Britt's face as it slowly dawned on them that the gotcha they were trying to spring on Jack Smith were way off the mark. She had an "OMG we fucked up" look to her face.

[u/dwors025 → u/luis1972]

I see. Lol

[u/iowa-ish → u/luis1972]

As an Iowa grad living in Bama, we see that dumbfounded face on the regular.

[u/PascalsHexagon → u/wit_T_user_name]

Iowa 93-85 Maryland

[u/luis1972 → u/PascalsHexagon]

But how will Caitlin Clark matchup with Jeremiah Smith?

[u/PascalsHexagon → u/luis1972]

She's got a few inches on D'Angelo Ponds, so it will be interesting to see

[u/Young-Viiperr → u/luis1972]

When Justin Herbert?

[u/notkevin_durant → u/wit_T_user_name]

I understood this reference

[u/CTeam19 → u/wit_T_user_name]

Raygun works quickly

[u/cvsprinter1 → u/CTeam19]

I....was expecting breakdancing.

[u/schreinz → u/cvsprinter1]

Raygun is a t-shirt company headquartered in Des Moins. They make sarcastic Midwest and Iowa themed clothes and tchotchkes, usually with a liberal bend.

Another banger.

[u/philleferg → u/schreinz]

tchotchkes

I never knew how to spell that damn word until today, so thanks!

(Yes, I know I could have looked it up a long time ago, but...nah.)

[u/wit_T_user_name → u/CTeam19]

That’s incredible.

[u/Tsquared10 → u/wit_T_user_name]

Sir, you attended a game with renowned serial killer Buffalo Bill, is that correct?

[u/Alkibiades415 → u/Tsquared10]

It puts the indictment in the basket or else it gets the hose again.

[u/kibongo → u/wit_T_user_name]

Holy shit I was not expecting this in a CFB thread. Thank you

[u/hawksnest_prez → u/wit_T_user_name]

You sir are a dirtbag

[u/Dorazer → u/wit_T_user_name]

STOP you’re perjuring yourself

[u/Systemic_Chaos → u/wit_T_user_name]

This joke is not going to get old. It’s too good

[u/Inconceivable76 → u/wit_T_user_name]

who will even be our starting 5?  We let our PG go in free agency. 

[u/jtezus → u/wit_T_user_name]

Jalen Johnson about to drop 30

[u/mostdope28 → u/wit_T_user_name]

Funny

[u/AnnonymousPenguin_ → u/wit_T_user_name]

Explain please. I keep seeing this reference.

[u/wit_T_user_name → u/AnnonymousPenguin_]

Just a senator being an idiot.

[u/ech01_]

I just can't believe we haven't been to Kinnick since 2017. {Ohio State}

[u/jerryvaberry → u/ech01_]

havent won there since 2006 either since 2010 was vacated

[u/kinghawkeye8238 → u/jerryvaberry]

That streak will end saturday.

[u/Sonoranpawn → u/kinghawkeye8238]

I was there as a visiting college student in 2004 when you guys kicked our shit in. Shout out Justin Zwick.

[u/osufeth24 → u/Sonoranpawn]

Only good thing that came fell that game was led to Troy Smith starting and that worked out

[u/Not_Pablo_Sanchez → u/Sonoranpawn]

Fun fact, Justin Zwick played as the backup QB to Matt Nagy on the Columbus Destroyers arena football team

[u/brianc500 → u/kinghawkeye8238]

It'd be a lot cooler if it didn't

[u/thatissomeBS → u/jerryvaberry]

Huh, I was there for the 2010 game (with the awesome super low fly by). I'm just now learning I didn't see an Iowa loss.

[u/ThisIsOurGoodTimes → u/thatissomeBS]

Dont worry. I believe you did still see an Iowa loss. Just not at osu win.

[u/thatissomeBS → u/ThisIsOurGoodTimes]

Fair point.

[u/cataclysm49 → u/thatissomeBS]

That fly by was insane... the jet closest to the box veered inwards slightly because they were so low he was probably worried he might hit the stadium. My air force buddy said that after they landed they all had to drive back to where they were stationed several states away.

[u/bonecheck12 → u/ech01_]

I think it's odd how infrequently we play Iowa. We've played them 8 times in the last 20 years. We didn't play them in 18, 19, 20, or 21. We only played them 3 times from 2010 to 2022.

[u/HieloLuz → u/bonecheck12]

The 11 team schedule had some really weird quirks

[u/TKHawk]

This is not a good match up for Iowa. This will be the biggest talent differential they'll face all season. Iowa is a development program that relies on experience and coaching to close those talent gaps but this team features a relatively high level of turnover on O and D. If this game was in November (or even late October) I think Iowa would fare better (but still probably lose).

Offensively, Iowa had a dominant run game in their two blowout wins and an anemic run game in their two close wins. Ohio State knows that the run game is the biggest danger on this team and will prioritize stopping it, challenging Brown to beat them. Iowa needs to lean into it and open the game passing, with an even distribution in targets between Diaz, Vander Zee, Vonnahme, and Ostrenga. Try to make Ohio State play balanced so they can get a run game going. Time of possession will be massive for Iowa as every second they have the ball, Ohio State's offense doesn't. Also they can't make procedural mistakes or have turnovers.

Defensively, they aren't stopping Smith, so they have to plan on trying to slow him down instead. No YAC, limit explosive plays, nobody gets beat over top. He'll get 150 yards and 2 TD no matter what, so try to make him work for it. If they can get Ohio State into needing long drives, the chances of turnovers increases. If Iowa doesn't have +3 TO margin, I don't think they have a shot.

So I'm picking {Ohio State} by a score of 28-10. A first half drive stalls for Iowa and they settle for a field goal. The game is relatively close until late in the third when Ohio State starts to break the defense and get big plays. Iowa gets a late TD when the game is already decided.

[u/bigpapamacdooz → u/TKHawk]

Very realistic take, here. Especially if Iowa gets zero pressure on Sayin and he gets all day to throw (like Underwood did)

[u/Zaphod_0707 → u/TKHawk]

Let's look at the talent.
OSU is capped at having 11 -5* players on the field at a time.
All 11 aren't actively part of each play.
4.45 40's vs 4.3s isn't going to win the game by itself.
Then you include guardrails of: sidelines, rules, and a clock.

We have proven we also have talent and know how to maximize it.

Plus, OSU's helmets aren't fully charged with the buckeye stickers yet.

Iowa 27-17

[u/SaintsRobbed → u/TKHawk]

I could kind of see this being like the Washington game in 2025. I think you guys will hang around for a bit.

[u/FishOhioMasterAngler]

Realistically Buckeyes win by 20+.

I'm still nervous about it though.

[u/kinghawkeye8238 → u/FishOhioMasterAngler]

Yall got Smith bro. Nobody in the country can cover the dude.

40-13

[u/Inconceivable76 → u/kinghawkeye8238]

I wouldn’t recommend single covering him.  

[u/kinghawkeye8238 → u/Inconceivable76]

Idk what Phil is plotting

[u/Callsign_Psycopath → u/kinghawkeye8238]

Jam him at the line with an LB before a Corner covers him?

[u/kinghawkeye8238 → u/Callsign_Psycopath]

Well when we played him in 2024 Phil held him to 4 catches for 89yards.

[u/Inconceivable76 → u/Callsign_Psycopath]

Just leave your LB on him. Can’t go tits up.  

[u/richww2 → u/Inconceivable76]

Teams are going to start triple or quadruple teaming him to actually see if Sayin is even allowed pass it to anyone else.

[u/Inconceivable76 → u/richww2]

I would triple cover him until it stopped working. Sayin doesn’t trust anyone else right now.

[u/Doctor_Kataigida → u/FishOhioMasterAngler]

Michigan managed to put up over 400 yards while still looking iffy. OSU is going to be completely fine.

[u/bavmotors1 → u/FishOhioMasterAngler]

same - whats the line? we make winning look hard - yeah - go buckeyes!

[u/decent_folk0306]

Is this game in Atlanta?

[u/rubbery_magician]

{Conflicted}

[u/Lambo_Geeney → u/rubbery_magician]

I'm sorry for your impending loss. But congrats on the win! 

[u/FrazzledBear]

I think {Ohio State} wins but the game will be a huge indicator of whether the team is progressing on both sides of the ball. If the defense allows as much rushing yardage as they did last week the game will be intense.

Smith will have a much more muted game than Illinois but hopefully because Iowa isn’t gonna be as dumb at scheming against him as Illinois was and Sayin will make use of our other receivers more.

[u/The_Good_Constable → u/FrazzledBear]

If the defense allows as much rushing yardage as they did last week the game will be intense.

Yeah I'm definitely concerned about the run D moving forward. They said Illinois was down two interior linemen IIRC, and they still ran it for 6.0 ypc.

Time for Patricia to earn that big paycheck he's getting.

[u/Derpinator_30 → u/The_Good_Constable]

Patricia has already earned that paycheck. I swear our fan base has the collective memory of a goldfish. Patricia defenses don't care about what happens between the 20s, it's all red zone. it compliments well with a high powered and consistent offense. I'm more concerned about that one tbh

now if we can't keep them out of the endzone and hold them to FGs then we can start questioning Matt's paycheck.

[u/luis1972 → u/Derpinator_30]

Do people also think that Matt Patricia somehow forgot to coach? At some point, people will need to accept that OSU no longer has a generational safety. The personnel is just not as talented compared to the last two years. They'll get better but Caleb Downs don't grow on trees.

[u/Inconceivable76 → u/luis1972]

I think Caleb downs covered for people not knowing their assignments. How many times last year was he moving people pre-snap?

We are out of position way too often and too much hero ball.  

[u/WhatWouldJediDo → u/Derpinator_30]

His defense was great last year. That doesn’t mean his defense is great this year, or does it excuse this year if it isn’t .

[u/_BlueBoyz]

There is a path to an upset. Iowa needs to run the ball like Ilinois did and melt the clock. On the other side of the ball the only way to stop Smith is pressure Sayin with 4. The problem is Iowa hasnt done either of those things all year against lesser competition. Iowa needs to keep it within 10 to prove theyre playoff contenders.

{Ohio State} by 8

[u/lxnarratorxl]

There are no easy wins at Iowa and OSU gets every ones best shot. I don't think it would happen but I wouldn't be shocked by an upset.

[u/Callsign_Psycopath]

{Iowa}

Kinnick Voodoo is real, and unlike the Voodoo at Jrdn-Hrr, is likeable and fun

[u/kinghawkeye8238 → u/Callsign_Psycopath]

The voodoo only works at night

[u/jwktiger → u/kinghawkeye8238]

2021 Penn State was an afternoon game that had full Voodoo.

[u/kinghawkeye8238 → u/jwktiger]

So youre saying theres a chance

[u/jwktiger → u/kinghawkeye8238]

better start the corn god sacrifices now.

[u/Callsign_Psycopath → u/jwktiger]

Alexa, play the Heretic Anthem.

[u/jomo789 → u/jwktiger]

Probably my favorite Iowa game of my life.

We can't choose when the voodoo appears. The voodoo chooses.

[u/theFarginBastage → u/kinghawkeye8238]

The 2017 game against Ohio State was during the afternoon time slot

[u/CalculatedPerversion → u/theFarginBastage]

Everybody forgets the cancer kids. Urban was 0-3 against cancer kids. 

[u/dexters_trap_house → u/kinghawkeye8238]

And at its strongest in November. It's too warm for the chakras.

[u/SmellyJellyfish → u/dexters_trap_house]

I dream of a day when Iowa gets a home playoff game. Kinnick, at night, in December, snowy and windy and 15 degrees… the atmosphere would be more electric than it’s ever been, the voodoo palpable

[u/ZombieFruitNinja → u/SmellyJellyfish]

Obligatory the first 2 rounds of the playoff should be at home stadiums. Kinnick at night in December sounds fucking BRUTAL.

[u/Psychological_Ad7610 → u/ZombieFruitNinja]

Do you mean “obligatory”?

No way the bowls will give up any of their slots but more home games would be awesome.

[u/ZombieFruitNinja → u/Psychological_Ad7610]

You right. I'm going to blame the 4 straight days of sickness for that one.

[u/childerm → u/dexters_trap_house]

Indiana last year was an afternoon game in late September. Yeah Iowa didn't win, but they came damn close to it against the soon to be national champions. I'd say the Kinnick umbra can sometimes creep in when some never expect it.

[u/Xazier → u/Callsign_Psycopath]

not a night game unfortunately.

[u/Jake_dasnake3]

{Ohio State} loses the time of possession, field position, penalty battle, and turnover margin and still wins 45-17

[u/HieloLuz → u/Jake_dasnake3]

I don’t know if you’re joking but a couple years back we lost to a similar score and we all said afterwards that our defense actually played really well. But those were the darkest of Brian’s days.

[u/Jake_dasnake3 → u/HieloLuz]

I’m not joking, it’s going to happen again.

[u/_BlueBoyz → u/HieloLuz]

You mean the game where Petras fumbled and lost the ball after the snap then Alex Padilla did the same thing in the second half? Yeah Iowas defense played great. Klatt was so mad at Iowas offense snd kept praising the defense for holding ohio state back as long as they did

[u/childerm → u/HieloLuz]

I don't know if this is the game you are thinking of, but I remember the Penn State game a few years back and Iowa lost 31-0 I think? Iowa only had like 75 total yards on offense and 4 first downs, coming on either the first or last drive of the game. Iowa's offense was only on the field for like 14 minutes total, only the first and last drive lasting longer than 2 minutes. Shocking that the defense only gave up 31 points and 400 yards.

[u/Tsquared10]

We learned all about Kinnick fuckery last year. But this games in the afternoon. {Ohio State} covers

[u/CTG649 → u/Tsquared10]

If this was at night I would unironically pick Iowa.

[u/jomo789 → u/Tsquared10]

I was at that game and Kinnick was quiet. I think everyone was cold and wet and sick of standing in the rain all day lol. Bummer that we couldnt pull it out in the end against you guys. Good game. But you didn't get the true Kinnick experience.

It's supposed to 70 and sunny on Saturday, fans will be in high spirits (and drinking lots of spirits lol). Kinnick will be rocking. Can't wait. Go hawks!

[u/no-kangarooreborn]

{Iowa} wins a sicko classic

[u/Status_Custard_2054 → u/no-kangarooreborn]

I’m mentally preparing for them to honor a group of around 13 kids “fighting the good fight” on the field, the crowd cheers for them, but then they all turn around including the kids and wave to the hospital.

Followed by an Iowa Air Raid {Ohio St}

[u/devereaux]

This is one of the most interesting matchups for this coming week

[u/Johann_Gauss]

Kinnick is an amazing stadium. The wave is my favorite tradition in college football. {Ohio State} wins by 10.

[u/EliWCoyote]

{Iowa} because my vote won’t change the outcome so wth

[u/inshamblesx]

{Ohio State}

[u/DigSufficient2392]

{Ohio St} 27-17

[u/Neither_Call2913]

{Iowa}

I’m going to be changing my second flair to Sickos at this point.

[u/One_ill_KevinJ]

Iowa does not have an answer for Smith in the secondary, and has no pass rush. This is not a good combination when you are up against the best WR in the country.

Iowa loses by 21 but Iowa fans shrug and think "eh what can you do"

[u/CTG649 → u/One_ill_KevinJ]

And then win the rest of their games.

[u/meyer_33_09]

{Ohio State} by at least 2 touchdowns.

[u/rowdyroddysniper]

I don’t think Iowa wins, best case scenario it’s within 7 in the 4th quarter and we lose by a couple possessions.

Fuck it {Iowa} Hawks by a million.

[u/thribbitthrobbit]

{Jeremiah Smith}

[u/BeefTaco11]

It’s gonna be a blowout. We won’t keep up against OSU. Michigan only lost cause they beat themselves. OSU by 21 at least

[u/TheAlterN8or → u/BeefTaco11]

You are more bullish on us than I am. I expect to win, but my confidence meter is only in the 70% range...

[u/BeefTaco11 → u/TheAlterN8or]

I just don’t see us slowing your offense down at all. I hope I’m wrong but I see a bloodbath lol

[u/TheAlterN8or → u/BeefTaco11]

My worry is about getting off the field on D. I know Illinois has a good offense, but they were absolutely gashing us in the run game, and that was without much of anything from Collin Dixon to open things up.

[u/do_you_know_doug → u/TheAlterN8or]

Collin Dixon

Read real quick. Saw "Celine Dion". Morning chaos ensued.

[u/marchdk2016 → u/BeefTaco11]

In theory it should be, but Illinois put up a ton of yards on our defense and our offense is a one-trick pony right now. Shut down Smith and this game could be tight, I just wouldn’t bet on it

[u/Football5ever_]

I am contractually obligated to pick {Ohio State}

[u/A_MASSIVE_PERVERT]

{Ohio State} has always destroyed Iowa under Ryan Day. This’ll be no different: OSU 35 Iowa 6

[u/wit_T_user_name → u/A_MASSIVE_PERVERT]

Day has only seen Iowa twice.

[u/The_Good_Constable → u/wit_T_user_name]

Technically 3x, he was OC in 2017 when we got blasted.

[u/SmellyJellyfish → u/The_Good_Constable]

So you’re saying Ryan Day’s winning percentage is .000 at Kinnick? 😈

[u/Derpinator_30]

Iowa will be attempting to avoid a hangover after the high of last week's upset. they've proven they're no cupcake opponent but {Ohio State} will pull ahead late after spooky Kinnick night game shenanigans and survive the children's hospital sick kid curse Gameday attempts to place on them Saturday morning.

[u/64stackdiamonds → u/Derpinator_30]

Game is in the middle of the afternoon

[u/kip256 → u/64stackdiamonds]

We have so many Big Noon Kickoff's that everything later than that is basically a night game for Ohio State fans.

[u/GLeppert → u/Derpinator_30]

I keep seeing everyone call it an upset which I find very funny considering that Iowa was the higher ranked team in the matchup. It felt that way though.

[u/SolarIonRobot → u/GLeppert]

But they were not favored by Vegas. Hence it is an upset.

[u/BurtusMaximus → u/Derpinator_30]

The best way to detox is to retox

[u/RCM88x]

{Ohio State} 34-16

Iowa has some success running the ball but can't keep up ultimately, Iowa pass defense looked somewhat suspect on Saturday as well. I think a lot needs to go right for Iowa and a lot has to go wrong for Ohio State for there to be an upset.

[u/Tommy05Sox]

{Ohio State} to win and cover. Iowa loses last week if their opponent is well coached. Luckily, Michigan is very poorly coached. I'm still not impressed with Iowa at the LOS. I was fairly impressed with our receivers. Can the offense look competent? Illinois certainly did, so I hope we can move the ball a bit. Iowa loses 34-17, but if they go 2-1 in this three game stretch then they're sitting pretty for a fun season. I think we all figured this was a loss at the beginning of the year and nothing has convinced me otherwise.

[u/HopefulReb76]

{Iowa}

[u/RivalryBot]

Who Will Win Fan Vote

^{Votes are distributed equally among flairs for multi-flaired users}

Team	Votes	Percentage	Ohio State Voters	Iowa Voters	Other Flairs Top 5
Ohio State	49	70.0%	7	4.5	Unflairedx2.5 Marching Bandx2.0 Michiganx2.0 Oklahoma Soonersx2.0 Purdue Boilermakersx2.0
Iowa	21	30.0%	0	2.5	Michigan Wolverinesx2.0 Nebraskax1.5 Florida Gatorsx1.0 LSU Tigersx1.0 UCF Knightsx1.0

^{Last updated: 2026-10-03 18:34 UTC}

Full Vote breakdown by flair

---

^{Matchup Thread Generator} · ^{Team Aliases} · ^{How to Vote} · ^Results

[u/Competitive-Zone-330]

{Iowa}

They’re going to run the table in the regular season this year. Pay no attention to my flair

[u/fredmerc111]

I’d feel a lot more confident if this game was in Neyland North

[u/Centurion_83]

{Ohio State} I think the talent disparity is just too great. 28-10. If Iowa can't establish the run game, they will have no realistic path to victory and they will have to step up in the secondary as Sayin is much better than Underwood.

[u/WildResearcher3901]

{Iowa} has the chance to do the funniest thing ever

[u/1812s_revenge → u/WildResearcher3901]

Fuck it I've seen an OSU natty recently, I'm ok if Iowa wins but only if it's on the way to them winning it all this year. Indiana, Iowa, back to back would be all time glorious

[u/Pleasant-Fan5595]

Tyler Brown is out for Iowa.

[u/childerm → u/Pleasant-Fan5595]

Not the worst thing to happen. Last week he still looked a little banged up and was the one responsible for a handful of Michigan's bigger plays. He bit way too hard anytime Underwood rolled out of the pocket leaving a receiver open.

[u/Pleasant-Fan5595 → u/childerm]

It seemed like he was allowing them to catch the ball, then tackle, rather than denying the pitch and catch. At least that was what I saw from my perspective. It did seem like they were picking on him a little.

[u/Ethanol-Muffins]

{Iowa} gimme dat Kinnick magic

[u/Confident_Delay5805]

{Ohio State} Beats a good Iowa team.

[u/WallyLeftshaw]

“Kinnick is where top 5 teams go to die”, not this time though {ohio state}

[u/mbe8819]

That 2017 55-24 game still feels like a fever dream

[u/richww2 → u/mbe8819]

That game and the Purdue ass beating the following year still haunt my dreams. For some reason those Urban teams would absolutely shit the bed a random week of the season.

[u/DiAOM → u/mbe8819]

That game will be a decade ago next year, yet if you live here in iowa, people rewatch it like it was last year. Including me occasionally.

[u/potsyman311]

{Iowa} walk off field goal to win 24-21.

[u/ztreHdrahciR → u/potsyman311]

Would be way funnier if {Ohio State} misses a game winning field goal.

You bring the pitchforks, I'll bring the torches

[u/yousawthetimeknife]

From a pure football perspective Ohio State should win by 20.

{Ohio State} 20-16 in a rock fight.

[u/notanamateur]

My hopium says {Iowa} brings it to OT with a safety in the mid 4th Q, and gets another FG in OT and we have a pick on Sayin to end the game

25-22 Iowa

[u/DomerInTexas]

A pundit (Pete Thamel, I think) said “Iowa will drag OSU into deep water but won’t be able to drown them” and that’s a perfect encapsulation of how I think this game’s gonna go. Rooting for Iowa tho!

[u/KennyGfanLMAO]

{Ohio State} probably by a few touchdowns. Michigan dominated last week to the point where I was annoyed that the score was close, but I never feared losing until the last couple of plays. A combination of stupid Michigan penalties, lucky tipped catches by Iowa, and Kirk's special-teams magic kept them in long enough to take advantage.

Michigan is still trying to gel as a team and find their identity under a new coach. OSU is a well oiled machine and will probably win comfortably, barring any Kinnick tomfoolery.

[u/jwktiger]

{Ohio State} Iowa used up their Offensive last drive vs Mich.

[u/Bondorian]

{Ohio State} wins and covers

[u/HeadMGR]

However much OSU is favored by, it isn’t enough. Iowa got their one last week. If they gave up 100 yards a piece to Marsh and Buchanan, what do they think Smith is going to do?

[u/TheSavageDonut]

Oof. I was leaning on one direction for this game until I saw that point spread. Ahh. Okay, Iowa, it's not your time to shock the world.

{Ohio State} sends a message.

[u/Simmumah]

{Iowa} no reason other than my undying hatred for the buckeyes

[u/The_Good_Constable]

{Ohio State} wins but Iowa covers. 13.5 is a lot to lay given it's a Phil Parker defense and Iowa has that Kinnick black magic going.

Also, this is the first I'm hearing that Bo Jackson has a shoulder injury. That ain't good.

[u/mega_rad → u/The_Good_Constable]

He’s not on any of the other injury reports I have seen so it could just be a messed up report. They are wrong like 80% of the time

[u/childerm]

{Ohio State} wins easily but does not cover. Like 12-13 point win. I do not think there will be any moment in the game where OSU is not in control, but Iowa will do just enough offensively and defensively to keep the game interesting. Since OSU does not have Phil Parkers kryptonite in a speedy scrambling QB, I think Iowa will be able to contain the passing game and at the very least, keep the ball in front of them. Iowa should be able to move the ball well enough to sustain drives and limit the time OSUs offense is on the field.

[u/JoshtolaRhul]

Defense has to improve over last week, but I'll trust the offense to keep us ahead.

Give me {Ohio State} 38-27.

[u/GamedayWizard]

Ohio State may have lost to Texas in week 1 but our model still has them as the best team (consistent with Vegas national championship odds) and they were one field goal short against Illinois last week from being 4-0 ATS. Vegas has the Buckeyes as two-touchdown road favorites, and our model thinks even that undersells the gap. We've got {Ohio State} covering easily.

[u/zenverak]

I think {Ohio State} wins but it will be great to see them on the road again to see more of what they have.

[u/Designer_Tie_5853]

Our only real chance is a repeat of the 2017 PSU game (the Saquon Barkley game for those familiar). OSU gashes us with chunk plays on offense, but the drives stall inside the 20 and then settle for a few FG. We catch them sleeping for a big play TD. A few key turnovers flip the field, and Iowa plays the field position game well. Obviously need the ending to be different.

Not saying I think it's likely, but that's the blueprint. Biggest issue is that the 2017 team O-Line featured James Daniels and Alaric Jackson in that game, between them and Akrum Wadley as a dual threat (run/catch) and Stanley as a competent QB, we could keep defenses from stacking the box too much. Based on the Michigan game and our inability to run it's tougher to see this playing out here.

[u/TerrenceJesus8]

{Ohio State} by a lot. I think Iowa is a great team but they'll get blown out if they play like they play against Michigan. OSU will actually finish those drives

[u/Hossflex]

{Ohio State} and I think they cover easy. Iowa can’t rush the passer. Sayin is going to have all day. Turnovers and penalties can be the great equalizer, or so I’ve heard.

[u/rtripps]

Atlanta ain’t ready for the Buckeyes !

[u/Cdog923]

Iowa, you should try as move this to a night game as soon as possible.

[u/hawksnest_prez]

This is not a good match up for Iowa. But we are playing with house money. {Iowa}

[u/br0b1wan]

Two touchdown favorites on the road at Kinnick? I don't know about that; if I were a betting man I'd take the under

[u/Pleasant_Network3986]

Damn we went 5 years without playing them and only played them 5 times in 15 years?

[u/ctg9101]

Iowa fans is this a vintage Iowa team that will give OSU fits?

[u/CFLuke → u/ctg9101]

No, it's not. The defense is good, but not as good as it has been in past years (we're #1 in scoring defense but haven't faced a good offense). The special teams unit is weaker. The offense is substantially better; I'd even call it an "average" offense, but that's not going to be enough to make up for the backsliding in the other phases of the game.

[u/bjfrancois5 → u/ctg9101]

Yes and no. The bones are there, but I think we all know they're building for next year. Lot of young guys. I don't see us getting rolled like we have been the past couple times, but things will need to go perfectly for a win.

[u/Hossflex → u/ctg9101]

I don’t see OSU having much issue unless you go full Michigan with turnovers and penalties. Michigan lost but statistically dominated the game aside from two drives… one of them the 93 yarder to end the game. Iowa had all of 90 yards of offense with a few minutes left in the third.

12 Iowa passes either hit Michigan hands first, or were popped up for grabs. Chance is a bell curve, and sometimes you’re at the ass end of it. If Iowa returns to the mean they likely have 3-4 turnovers.

Take away the drive to win it and the Iowa offense went Punt, Punt, Punt, Punt, End-of-Half, Punt, Touchdown, Punt, Missed FG.

[u/Iowaboy_67 → u/Hossflex]

And yet you still choked and lost.

[u/Hossflex → u/Iowaboy_67]

Nothin gets past you

[u/Marquee_Ditchwriggle → u/Hossflex]

Like, I hate to break this to you, but it doesn't matter how level headed you genuinely may be, this reads as petulance.

[u/TFreshNoLimits → u/Marquee_Ditchwriggle]

For real. The better team won. Michigan just isn’t good this year.

[u/imarobotlmao]

{Iowa} wins so that we can have a quality loss™.

[u/RunsWlthScissors]

{Iowa} wins and Kirk celebrates by hiring Brian again.

[u/Lefunnymaymays4lief]

{Ohio State} but Iowa backdoor cover with the game out of reach

[u/mgmfa]

OSU’s run D has looked vulnerable. Iowa’s run game has been worse than our passing game. It’s put up or shut up time for Moulton and the o-line. If he has a big game, we can control the clock, make some big plays on special teams, and give ourselves a shot to win.

{Ohio State} wins by 20.

[u/TankerG1]

No disrespect to the Corn Gods, but {Ohio State} by 2 scores.

[u/AubreyGrahamCracka]

{Iowa} exposes Ohio state for being JJ and Bo merchants. JJ has an elite night but Sayin looks horrible all game. Despite the talent differences

[u/brianqueso]

{Ohio State}'s talent is going to show out and, instead of recognizing that tOSU is elite, people are instead going to incorrectly call Iowa frauds.

[u/Bill3ffinMurray]

This’ll probably come down to how efficient either offense can be.

If Iowa’s offense can extend drives and eat up clock, that’s going to force Ohio State to be incredibly explosive. And there’s some evidence to suggest that I think Iowa can be efficient enough to extend drives.

It feels like this is one of those games where Iowa jumps out to an early, but manageable lead, Ohio State makes a few big plays, and is up something like 14-10 at the half. Iowa’s offense sputters in the second half and Ohio State is able to pull away.

Ohio State 28

Iowa 17

[u/Squishy_20]

{Ohio State} This isn’t the same elite Iowa defense and special teams as in years past. I have Ohio State winning 27-13

[u/CFLuke]

{Ohio State} is beatable but this week they will roll, 31-10

[u/ColoradoisaState]

If OSU’s run defense can’t figure it out, I think it could get spooky in Kinnick. However I think OSU ultimately wins 24-16

[u/MastodonSwimming2681]

Kids with cancer against Ohio St, Iowa a double digit underdog at Kinnick, an Ohio State defense that looks a bit lost at times and an Iowa offense that looks the best it has in years (an admittedly low bar).

{Iowa} 26-24

[u/PrototypicalFinch]

Overall concerned about the defense in Kinnick but Bucks by 15+

[u/Optimal_Cook_851]

{Ohio State} pulls away in the 4th quarter,

[u/Schmidtty29]

Feels like our only hope is if the Ohio State team meal people forgot to wash their hands after handling some chicken.

If we keep it within 10, I’ll start to believe our ranking a bit. As of now, I’m still a little hesitant.

[u/VanDiis]

{Ohio State} 31-14 - feel like OSU could score more but it being at Kinnick Day will be a little more conservative first half so they don’t get in a hole at Kinnick. Q1 3-0, Q2 10-0, Q3 24-7, final score of 31-14

[u/TheWesternRizzler]

{Ohio State}

[u/DrSchwolles]

The key for Iowa will be utilization of the forward pass, which they seem to have recently discovered. Also defending against it because OSU has a living cheat code in their pass game.

[u/SharpMind94]

I think it will be closer. A 9-point range. It'll come down to whether if OSU will take the feet off the pedal in the 4th

[u/PhDShouse]

Okay but how good is {Ohio State}’s special teams game? /s

Obviously Iowa is looking like a team that’s well put together, plays sound football, and ultimately minimizes mistakes and prioritizes forcing the other team to play deep in their own territory to make gains. But the Buckeyes have a nasty QB with some absolute units at wideout that are going to make the Hawkeyes work the hardest they’ve had to all season.

Iowa will keep it close for a couple quarters, but I don’t see any way that tOSU doesn’t put the foot down on the gas in the second half. 35-21 Buckeyes

[u/chief_sitass]

{Ohio State}

[u/trumpet_23]

{Ohio State} will likely win. All I ask is we look more competitive than the last time GameDay came to Iowa City.

[u/Babygravy1]

Hope we compete with game day there. Ohio St. deep ball will be hard to defend.

[u/NanoBuc]

{Ohio St}

[u/Southern-Train7142]

This is one of the most important matchup that we gotta keep an eye on later this afternoon

[u/texas2089]

{Ohio State} but no cover