The No. 3 Buckeyes are blowing out everyone who gets in their way. Now they'll have their toughest test yet, against Big Ten foe Iowa.
Last week, Ohio State went to East Lansing and beat Michigan State 38-7 in its Big Ten opener, further solidifying its position as one of the top-ranked teams in the nation. The Buckeyes' impressive victory marked their third-straight win by 20+ points this season.
However, the real test is yet to come. Iowa, led by explosive running back Kaleb Johnson, boasts a potent offense and an even more fearsome defense, capable of putting Ryan Day's team to the test. The Hawkeyes' stingy defense has allowed just 54 points through their first four games, earning them a spot at the top of the Big Ten's total defense rankings.
Iowa received a blow to its defense with the loss of safety Quinn Schulte, who injured his ankle in last week's matchup against Rutgers. However, if anyone can put pressure on Ohio State's high-powered offense, it's the Hawkeyes. The addition of defensive coordinator Phil Parker to Kirk Ferentz's coaching staff has given Iowa a significant advantage on that side of the ball.
Another thing that can't be overlooked is Iowa's pass rush, led by defensive end Joe Evans, who recorded a career-high 10 tackles last week in the Hawkeyes' 27-10 victory over Rutgers. Evans and the rest of Iowa's defensive line will look to put as much pressure as possible on Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord, who had his share of struggles in last season's matchup against Iowa.
Going up against this Iowa team will be as challenging as it gets for the Buckeyes this season. Ohio State fans are all ears for how the coaching staff plans to counter such a potent defense, as well as address the doubts that any team may face in the high stakes environment of Big Ten play.