Ohio State travels to Iowa for a 3:30 p.m. game Oct. 3.
Here are our predictions for the game:
Ohio State vs. Iowa predictions
Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 31, Iowa 17: The Hawkeyes have the ingredients to give the Buckeyes an upset scare. They have big-play running backs between Kamari Moulton and Xavier Williams who could exploit an Ohio State defense that was vulnerable to surrendering explosive plays against Illinois, and their defense is among the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision at holding teams in the red zone. But after quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith found another gear to open Big Ten play, it’s unlikely to be enough to overcome the Buckeyes’ firepower.
Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 33, Iowa 10: Get ready for an
immoveable force vs. unstoppable object game. The Hawkeyes rank first nationally in scoring defense (8.0 points per game); the Buckeyes rank sixth in scoring offense (45.0). Something has to give, and in this case it will be Iowa's ability to stop OSU's passing game. Julian Sayin will enjoy just enough time in the pocket to not have to rush throws, and when that happens the Buckeyes quarterback is deadly.
Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 21, Iowa 10: Ohio State is going to need to rely on its passing game against Iowa’s defense, which ranks 19th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (87.8). The Hawkeyes have allowed only three touchdown passes and an average 152 passing yards per game, but Julian Sayin will be the highest-rated quarterback Iowa has faced so far this season, with a passing rating of 187.2. The key for Ohio State’s defense is going to be its performance in the fourth quarter, as Iowa has scored game-winning points in the final 15 seconds against Iowa State and Michigan. If the Buckeyes can redeem themselves from the Texas loss and hold off any late-game comeback attempts, they should be able to leave Iowa with a win.
Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 24, Iowa 13: Iowa's walk-off win against Michigan was its first win against a ranked Big Ten opponent in five years. Iowa's stout defense, however, is nothing new. The Hawkeyes lead the nation in scoring defense through four weeks and have finished top 15 in scoring defense in the past eight seasons. The Hawkeyes held Michigan to under four yards a carry but allowed big plays through the air, like Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood's 49-yard touchdown pass to JJ Buchanan. Ohio State will not have as flashy of an offensive performance as last week, but will once again rely on Jeremiah Smith to do what he does best and leave opposing defensive backs in the dust.
Bold predictions
Julian Sayin throws for 300 yards
Joey Kaufman: Iowa has allowed just three quarterbacks to throw for 300 yards over the past five seasons, a small group that includes Rutgers’ Athan Kaliakmanis and Evan Simon and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, who was the Heisman Trophy runner-up last year. But after Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood threw for 276 yards, nearly setting a career-high last week, including completing a pass as long as 49 yards, it won’t be a surprise if Sayin surpasses 300 yards as he continues to step up
Ohio State will convert its first 50-yard field goal since 2019
Rob Oller: It can be hard to remember anything pre-COVID, but in 2019 Ohio State kicker Blake Haubeil nailed a 55-yard field goal against Northwestern. How many 50-yarders has OSU made since? Crickets. That changes against Iowa. Facing fourth-and-long from near the Hawkeyes' 40-yard line, Baylor transfer Connor Hawkins will split the uprights for a 50-plus kick to break the spell.
Jeremiah Smith has another multi-TD game
Brianna Mac Kay: Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is entering the Iowa game after scoring a career-best four touchdowns against Illinois on Sept. 26. With the Hawkeyes holding their opponents to zero rushing touchdowns through four games, the Buckeyes will likely need quarterback Julian Sayin to find Smith in the end zone at least once. Sayin and Smith connecting twice would put Ohio State in a solid position to record its first win at Kinnick Stadium since 2010. The last time Smith had back-to-back multi-touchdown games was during the Buckeyes' 2024 national championship run.
Riley Pettijohn gets a sack in back-to-back weeks
Dan Aulbach: Ohio State linebacker Riley Pettijohn saw an uptick in snaps from the Texas game and made an impact, sacking Illinois quarterback Katin Houser by powering his way through three Illinois interior linemen to stop a drive on third down. After allowing 462 yards of offense last weekend, the Buckeyes will be looking for playmakers to step up and end drives quicker. Expect Pettijohn to make the most of his opportunities.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Our Ohio State football experts make bold predictions for Iowa game
