The second half of Ohio State’s regular season begins today.
After a week off, the Buckeyes will be back in Ohio Stadium this afternoon to face Iowa, who is also coming off a bye. The Buckeyes are favored to win by 30 points, but it will be an interesting day in the Shoe nonetheless, as Ohio State’s offense will face one of the nation’s best defenses while the Buckeyes’ defense will look to dominate Iowa’s struggling offense.
With just a few hours to go until the second half of the season kicks off, we share some final thoughts, questions and players to watch entering today’s game.
Final Thoughts
Prediction: Ohio State’s defense will score more than Iowa’s offense
Ohio State hasn‘t yet scored a defensive touchdown this season, but I think that changes today against the Hawkeyes’ bumbling offense. And if the Buckeyes’ defense can make that happen – if I have to get specific, I’ll predict Ronnie Hickman returns an interception for a touchdown – then I predict they’ll score more points than Iowa’s offense, who I think will struggle to find the end zone all day long considering the Hawkeyes have scored only seven offensive touchdowns all year.
– Dan Hope
Spencer Petras is likely the worst QB Ohio State will face all year
I don't mean to pick on the guy excessively, considering he's already gotten a lot of vitriol online (mostly from his own fanbase). But seriously, Petras makes Wisconsin's Graham Mertz look like Joe Montana. It's questionable if he'd start at Arkansas State right now, and he certainly wouldn't at Toledo.
There are plenty of numbers and stats that illustrate just how anemic Petras and Iowa have been this season, such as a 54 percent completion rate (the worst mark in the Big Ten) and a measly 5.8 yards per attempt. He's also only thrown two touchdowns all year, two less than the next closest Big Ten passer (Rutgers' Evan Simon).
This is all to say: If Ohio State's defense wanted a chance for a statement game, this is it.
- Garrick Hodge
Questions
Can the Buckeye defense pitch a shutout?
As successful as the Ohio State defense has been through six games, it’s still allowed at least a touchdown and a field goal to every opponent it’s played thus far. That could change against the fourth-lowest-scoring offense in the country on Saturday, as Iowa has the worst marks of any team the Buckeyes have taken on this season in every major offensive statistic. The Hawkeyes have scored seven points or less on three occasions, and with the Buckeye defense getting closer to full strength after the bye week, the door’s open for a dominant effort from Jim Knowles’ unit this weekend.
– Griffin Strom
What will Ohio State's passing game look like at full strength?
At a media availability on Wednesday, Julian Fleming and Marvin Harrison Jr. could not contain their excitement when talking about how a healthy receiver room could impact the Ohio State offense. Harrison even claimed opposing defensive coordinators would have to pray when creating a scheme for how to defend the Buckeye pass catchers because anything other than divine intervention won't be able to contain Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Harrison, Emeka Egbuka and Fleming. Even if they did, how could a defense account for Cade Stover or TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams out of the backfield?
With a fully healthy (aside from team captain Kam Babb) receiver room, the Buckeye passing game might be unstoppable. How will C.J. Stroud distribute the ball? Who will get the most touches? I can't wait to see what it looks like when they face a stout Iowa defense in the Horseshoe.
- Chase Brown
Players to Watch
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
This is the obvious answer, but as long as he’s able to play, Smith-Njigba is undoubtedly the player I’ll be keeping the closest eye on today. That’ll start with pregame warmups, where it’s safe to say just about every member of the Ohio State beat will be watching JSN closely to see whether he looks ready to go. Assuming he is, it will be interesting to see whether Smith-Njigba immediately looks like the guy who rewrote Ohio State’s record books last year or if he eases back into action with a light day of work.
Having him healthy would certainly help the Buckeyes’ cause against an Iowa passing defense that leads the nation with only 4.7 yards allowed per pass, and the Buckeyes would certainly love to get him back in rhythm going into the home stretch of the season.
– Dan Hope
Miyan Williams
The third-year running back was on a tear when last we saw him on the field for Ohio State, but it’s been two weeks since Williams has seen action. Between sitting out the Michigan State game and the subsequent bye week, Williams didn’t get to capitalize on the momentum of his career-best 189-yard, five-touchdown performance against Rutgers in Week 5. But Williams is expected to be available Saturday against Iowa, which could give him a chance to pick up right where he left off a couple of weeks ago.
– Griffin Strom
J.T. Tuimoloau
It hasn't happened yet, but it just truly feels like Tuimoloau is bound to have a breakout game this year, especially since Jim Knowles said this week that Tuimoloau has been heavily involved in rushing the passer this year but hasn't gotten the credit yet. What better time to do it against an offense that struggles to score points against an FCS defense?
Iowa will likely be behind multiple scores by the time the second quarter concludes, meaning Spencer Petras is bound to have to throw more passes than Iowa would like. That's bad news for the Hawkeyes and an excellent chance for Tuimoloau (or another defensive end) to rack up the sacks.
- Garrick Hodge
C.J. Stroud
I know. I know. C.J. Stroud. Very original. But, look, Hendon Hooker had the game of his life against Alabama last weekend and is now the talk of the college football world. He received nods on midseason All-American teams over Stroud and – according to some of the sport's analysts – has surpassed the Ohio State quarterback in the Heisman Trophy race.
With Stroud matched up against one of the best defenses in America, he can respond with a performance that will remind everyone how talented he is and why he deserves to win the most reputable award the game has to offer. He's more than equipped to deliver a gem. Now it's time for him to show it against the Hawkeyes.
- Chase Brown
