No. 3 Ohio State faces its first big test as it hosts Iowa in a key Big Ten matchup. The Buckeyes have exploded with a 4-0 start in which every win has come by more than 30 points, including a 38-7 victory against Michigan State in the Big Ten opener. Ohio State ranks No. 3 nationally in scoring offense.
Iowa lost its annual Cy-Hawk Trophy rivalry game against Iowa State, but has otherwise dominated its schedule through four weeks. Outside of the game against the Cyclones, the Hawkeyes are averaging 36.3 points per game and dropped an impressive 31-14 win on Minnesota in its last game.
Since Ohio State and Iowa were in separate divisions, the two teams have played only twice in the past decade. Iowa won in 2017, a shocking 55-24 victory that kept the Buckeyes out of the College Football Playoff. However, Ohio State came back to dominate Iowa 54-10 in 2022, the most recent matchup.
Ohio State vs. Iowa: Need to know
WR-U: Ohio State lost Marvin Harrison Jr. to the NFL Draft, but highly-touted freshman Jeremiah Smith has quickly filled in the gap. In four career games, the freshman has exploded for 364 yards and six all-purpose touchdowns. Against Michigan State, had posted five catches for 83 yards with scores both through the air and on the ground. Iowa will provide a first real test in the secondary, but Smith can truly explode onto the national scene with a dominant performance on CBS.
Real improvement?: Expectations for Iowa's offense were low after the Hawkeyes hired former Western Michigan coach Tim Lester as offensive coordinator. While the production hasn't been Ohio State level, it's been a massive improvement. A year after ranking dead last, Iowa is up to No. 65 nationally in total offense and No. 53 in scoring offense. Running back Kaleb Johnson has been a serious bright spot with 685 yards and nine touchdowns and the offense is up to middle of the pack in converting red zone trips to touchdowns.
Best on best: Ohio State coach Ryan Day is known for his passing chops, but the Buckeyes rank No. 1 nationally in expected points added per rush behind the dominant two-headed monster of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. Iowa will be up for the challenge after holding its first four opponents to an average of 62 yards rushing. Linebacker Jay Higgins is the tip of the spear of Iowa's rush defense, but the Hawkeyes will need the entire unit to play its best as Ohio State is willing to attack every inch of the field in the running game.
How to watch Ohio State vs. Iowa live
Date: Saturday, Oct. 5 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Ohio Stadium -- Columbus, Ohio
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Try It Free)
Ohio State vs. Iowa prediction, picks
Ohio State has barely opened the playbook against a Charmin-soft early schedule, but the Buckeyes are well prepared for their close up. Iowa has the ability to muck up the game, but even an improved Hawkeyes offense won't be able to seriously keep up against an OSU defense that ranks among the best in the nation. It may be a backdoor cover, but Ohio State will get there. Pick: Ohio State -19.5
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