Ohio State takes on Big 10 rival Iowa this weekend at the Safelite Field.

Ohio State leads the all-time series over the Iowa Hawkeyes 47-15-3 with Iowa winning the last matchup looking to make it back to back this weekend. Ohio State is a highly favored team in this game, being the number 2 ranked team in the country and Iowa being unranked.

But, they won’t take it easy because of the upset by Iowa in 2017 being highly favored and losing by 31 points.

“They’re always difficult to beat. It doesn’t matter what year it is,” says Day.

The powerful offense of Ohio State will be missing potential first round receiver Jaxon Smith-Njiba for the 6th game straight and star running back Miyah Williams for the 2nd game straight. Jaxon Smith-Njigba suffered a hamstring injury in the 21-10 victory over Notre Dame in week 1 and Miyah Williams is out with a knee injury but could possibly return this weekend to fight against the Hawkeyes. The Ohio State offense could possibly be the most legendary offense in college football history if healthy.

Ohio State has some of the biggest names in college football right now and average the most points without 2 of the biggest names at 48.8 points per game.

“Ohio State has thrived on big plays this year – tied for first in the country of plays of 30 yards or more with 24. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has thrown for 300 or more yards in three of six games, has touchdown passes of 42 (twice), 51 and 69 yards this season. Running back Miyan Williams has a 70-yard touchdown run and three other Buckeye ball carriers have 40-plus yard runs in 2022,” says Patrick Murphy.

Although they’re the top-ranked offense, the Hawkeyes have the top ranked defense in college football too. The Hawkeyes haven’t given up many points this season averaging 14.7 points per game. The Hawkeyes also have a strong red zone defense ranking number one in that spot too as they are playing great in the trenches.

The Hawkeyes look to come and shut this offense down.

“What has made the Hawkeyes so successful defensively is Ferentz, Parker and the players’ understanding of what works in this scheme and how opposing teams want to attack them. When an opponent does have success, Iowa can make adjustments and these adjustments work more often than not,” says Murphy.

This week will be legendary with the topped ranked offense and top ranked defense facing off here in week 8 of college football. The key for the Hawkeyes is to move the ball and create turnovers. The game plan for the Buckeyes is to keep that offense rolling and keep slowing that Iowa offense down.