The No. 3-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes face Iowa on Saturday in what is expected to be the Buckeyes' toughest test of the season so far.
Iowa, 3-1 and coming off a bye week, has a top-20 defense nationally in points (13.75) and yardage (272.8) allowed per game. According to ESPN’s SP+ advanced statistics, Iowa has the top defense in the country.
From 2018-23, Iowa held opponents to 4.4 yards per play. That’s the fewest of any major-college program.
Ohio State is by far the best offense Iowa has faced. The Hawkeyes’ defense wilted in the second half of their 20-19 loss to Iowa State on Sept. 7. In it's last game, Iowa held Minnesota scoreless in the second half of the Hawkeyes’ 31-14 victory.
More Ohio State football:How can Ohio State football beat Iowa? 3 keys for Buckeyes matchup with the Hawkeyes
“It'll be the best-coached defense I think that we'll face all season long,” said Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. “It's a challenge that you get excited about if you're a real football guy.”
Ohio State football has Tyleik Williams back
Ohio State starting defensive tackle Tyleik Williams is set to return against Iowa on Saturday.
Williams was medically cleared last week at Michigan State after he wasunavailable with an undisclosed injury against Marshallon Sept. 21, butthe Buckeyes held him out of the Big Ten openerin order to allow him more time to return to full strength.
Day saidWilliams’ availabilitywas limited to an emergency situation. He had been in uniform against the Spartans and was practicing last week.
In the nonconference wins over Akron and Western Michigan to begin the season, Williams totaled nine tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Ohio State vs. Iowa predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy ofBetMGMas of Oct. 4.
- Spread: Ohio State -19.5
- Over/under: 45.5 points
Ohio State 34, Iowa 13:Bill Rabinowitz of The Columbus Dispatch says, "Finally, a game with a real challenge. TheHawkeyes' defense will force Ohio State to be patient. Nothing comes easy against Iowa. But the Hawkeyes' offense, while improved over the feeble unit in past years, isn't potent enough to upset the Buckeyes unless dangerous running back Kaleb Johnson has a monster game. The Buckeyes' defense is good enough to prevent him from doing that."
Ohio State 31, Iowa 13:Joey Kaufman of The Columbus Dispatch says, "Iowa is indeed improved on offense, a combination of Tim Lester replacing Brian Ferentz as coordinator and Kaleb Johnson emerging as a breakout star in the backfield. The Hawkeyes' 32 points-per-game average would be their highest since 2002. But the strides have not been as dramatic with their passing game and it's ultimately unlikely they’ll be able to trade shots with the Buckeyes who are averaging nearly 50 points per game with a new play-caller of their own in Chip Kelly."
Ohio State 31, Iowa 7:Rob Oller of The Columbus Dispatch says, "Ohio State continues to climb the increasingly challenging schedule ladder, from softball Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall to fast pitch Michigan State. Iowa presents the biggest challenge yet, with the Hawkeyes defense tied for 15th nationally in points allowed per game (13.8). But the Buckeyes rank No. 1 in that category (6.8) so unless Iowa finds a miracle potion to score more points -- and it won't -- it will be more smooth sailing for OSU."
Ohio State 27, Iowa 10:Tyler Tachman of the Des Moines Register says, "Iowa hasn’t beaten any of the traditional Big Ten powers — Ohio State, Penn State or Michigan — since a win over the Nittany Lions in 2021, and it’s difficult to see that streak coming to an end in Columbus on Saturday. The Hawkeyes bring in one of the nation’s best rushers, Kaleb Johnson, but have enough questions elsewhere, including a spotty passing game and uncharacteristically flawed secondary, to make upsetting the Buckeyes a steep climb."
Ohio State football news
Here’s what you need to know before Ohio State-Iowa:
Ty Hamilton emerges as force on Ohio State defensive line
How Ohio State QB Devin Brown stepped up in relief of Will Howard at Michigan State
Ohio State vs Iowa predictions, odds: Who wins the Week 6 college football game?
3 keys for Buckeyes matchup with the Hawkeyes
How Ohio State plans to defend star Iowa RB and Ohio native Kaleb Johnson
Iowa football's Luke Lachey returns to Ohio State, and his family is all-in
Ohio State vs. Iowa weather update
Ohio Stadium should be warm Saturday for Ohio State vs. Iowa. Saturday’s high is expected to be 76 degrees, with clear skies predicted.
Ohio State vs. Iowa history
Series record: 47-15-3 Ohio State
Ohio State’s last win: 54-10 in 2022.
Iowa's last win: 55-24 in 2017
Ohio State vs. Iowa time today
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 5
- Time: 3:30 p.m.
- Location: Ohio Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
What channel is Ohio State vs. Michigan State game on today?
- TV channel: CBS
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
- Radio:WBNS-FM/AM (97.1/1460)
Ohio State vs. Iowa will broadcast nationally on CBS in Week 6 of the 2024 college football season. Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson will call the game from the booth at Spartan Stadium with Jenny Dell reporting from the sideline. Streaming options for the game include the FOX Sports app and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Listen to Ohio State vs. Iowa on the radio
Ohio State football is broadcasted live on WBNS-FM/AM (97.1/1460).
Here are the announcers for the Ohio State-Western Michigan game:
- Paul Keels (play-by-play)
- Jim Lachey (analysis)
- Clay Hall (sideline)
Ohio State Football schedule 2024
- Aug. 31:Ohio State 52, Akron 6
- Sept. 7:Ohio State 56, Western Michigan 0
- Sept. 21:Ohio State 49, Marshall 14
- Sept. 28: Ohio State 38, Michigan State 7
- Oct. 5: Ohio State vs. Iowa; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Oct. 12: Ohio State at Oregon; Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
- Oct. 26: Ohio State vs. Nebraska; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Nov. 2: Ohio State at Penn State; Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
- Nov. 9: Ohio State vs. Purdue; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Nov. 16: Ohio State at Northwestern; Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
- Nov. 23: Ohio State vs. Indiana; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Nov. 30: Ohio State vs. Michigan; Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
- Record:4-0
Iowa football schedule 2024
Here's a full look at the Hawkeyes' 2024 schedule, including available start times and TV channel information:
- Saturday, Aug. 31:vs. Illinois State (W, 40-0)
- Saturday, Sept. 7:vs. Iowa State (L, 20-19)
- Saturday, Sept. 14:vs. Troy (W, 38-21)
- Saturday, Sept. 21:at Minnesota* (W, 31-14)
- Saturday, Sept. 28:BYE
- Saturday, Oct. 5:at No. 3 Ohio State* | 3:30 p.m. | CBS
- Saturday, Oct. 12:vs. Washington*
- Saturday, Oct. 19:at Michigan State*
- Saturday, Oct. 26:vs. Northwestern* | 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 2:vs. Wisconsin*
- Friday, Nov. 8:at UCLA* | 9 p.m. | FOX
- Saturday, Nov. 16:BYE
- Saturday, Nov. 23:at Maryland*
- Friday, Nov. 29:vs. Nebraska* | 7:30 p.m. | NBC
- Record:3-1
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