What to know about Iowa vs. Ohio State in a Big Ten showdown

Regardless that the Iowa Hawkeyes and Ohio State Buckeyes compete in the identical convention, Saturday truly marks Iowa’s first go to to Columbus, Ohio, since 2013.

It’s the primary assembly between the groups in any location since 2017, when unranked Iowa surprised No. 3 Ohio State 55-24 in Iowa Metropolis. Tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant every caught two landing passes in that sport, whereas OSU quarterback J.T. Barrett threw 4 interceptions.

The 2017 assembly was an anomaly so far as historical past goes. Ohio State is 46-15-3 within the all-time collection and has gained 13 of the previous 15 conferences relationship to 1992. Iowa hasn’t gained at Ohio Stadium since 1991.

The matchup

Iowa versus Ohio State pits two groups that would not be extra totally different by means of six video games.

The Buckeyes offense, led by Heisman Trophy front-runner C.J. Stroud, paces the nation in factors per sport (48.8), yards per play (8.07) and quarterback ranking (204.88). Stroud threw for 361 yards and 6 touchdowns in OSU’s final sport, a 49-20 win over Michigan State.

Ohio State presents the hardest problem but for an Iowa protection that ranks second nationally in yards per play allowed (3.83) and has held 5 of its six opponents to 10 factors or fewer. Quarterbacks dealing with Iowa have thrown for 3 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 97.2 quarterback ranking.

The well-documented struggles for Iowa have come on offense. Iowa has two passing touchdowns for the season and is averaging solely 2.6 yards per carry. Of their two-game dropping streak to Michigan and Illinois, the Hawkeyes gained simply 87 dashing yards on 54 makes an attempt.

Gamers to look at

It begins with Stroud for Ohio State. The sophomore has thrown for 1,737 yards, 24 touchdowns and three interceptions whereas finishing 70.6 % of his passes. It helps that he has a proficient group of receivers: Emeka Egbuka (35 receptions, 655 yards, 6 TDs) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (31 receptions, 536 yards, 9 TDs) are each on tempo for 1,000-yard seasons. On protection, senior linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (50 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks) and sophomore defensive sort out Michael Corridor Jr. (7 1/2 tackles for loss) are standouts.

Iowa’s protection is led by linebacker Jack Campbell, who has double-digit tackles in 4 of six video games. Sophomore defensive again Cooper DeJean has three interceptions, together with one returned for a landing towards Rutgers.

Tight finish Sam LaPorta (30 receptions, 279 yards) has 34.4 % of Iowa’s receptions and 29.6 % of the staff’s receiving yards.

The coaches

Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz, the longest-tenured head coach in FBS, is 181-113 in 24 seasons. Ferentz, 67, entered 2022 driving a streak of 9 consecutive successful years.

Buckeyes coach Ryan Day, 43, is 40-4 as a head coach and has made the Faculty Soccer Playoff in two of his three full seasons. He’s misplaced only one dwelling sport as OSU’s boss — to Oregon in Week 2 of final season.

That is the primary time Ferentz and Day will face off as head coaches.

Odds, predictions and extra

(Photograph of C.J. Stroud, left, and TreVeyon Henderson: Adam Ruff / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)