In what areas does Iowa football have an advantage over Ohio State?
In what areas does Iowa football have an advantage over Ohio State?
Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus DispatchThu, October 1, 2026 at 5:22 PM UTC
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The No. 6 Ohio State football team (3-1) is set to face No. 14 Iowa (4-0) at Kinnick Stadium for the first time in nearly a decade on Oct. 3.
The last time the Buckeyes traveled to Iowa City, Iowa, was in 2017. The Hawkeyes scored 31-straight points during their 55-24 upset victory. Ohio State is 17-3 overall against Iowa, notching 28-plus-point wins in each of their last two meetings.
Here is how Ohio State and Iowa match up in their upcoming regular-season meeting:
Ohio State pass offense vs Iowa pass defense
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is coming off a career-best performance during Ohio State's 42-19 win over Illinois on Sept. 26, recording 217 yards and four touchdowns on 12 receptions. Even if Smith's production from that game is cut in half, which is feasible goal for the Heisman contender, the Buckeyes' offense would be in a solid position against Iowa.
Smith leads the nation in average receiving yards (154.3), while Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin ranks seventh nationally in passing yards per game (301.5). Sayin's 187.2 pass rating is over 27% higher than any other pass rating Iowa has faced this season.
Michigan's Bryce Underwood, who has a 146.7 pass rating, threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns against the Hawkeyes, despite the Wolverines falling 20-19 to Iowa on Sept. 26. Iowa has failed to hold an opponent to under 100 passing yards this season.
Edge: Ohio State
Ohio State rush offense vs Iowa rush defense
Ohio State coach Ryan Day admitted the running backs are tasked with a "major challenge" in establishing the ground game on Iowa's home field.
The Hawkeyes' defense has held opponents to an average 2.7 rushing yards per game and zero rushing touchdowns. In the road win against Michigan, Iowa only allowed one run over 10 yards, limiting them to 3.8 yards per carry.
Running backs Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson have taken on the bulk of Ohio State's rushing load, combining for 489 yards and seven touchdowns this season. But with just three runs going over 20 yards, all coming in the season-opening 56-3 win over Ball State, the Buckeyes duo could continue to struggle generating big gains against Iowa.
Edge: Iowa
Ohio State pass defense vs Iowa pass offense
While Iowa's defense ranks near the top of the Big Ten, the Hawkeyes' passing offense averages 213.5 passing yards per game, which is 15th in the conference. Quarterback Hank Brown joined the Hawkeyes after spending three seasons as a backup at Auburn, where he logged 642 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
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Despite Ohio State losing key players across the whole defense this offseason, the secondary has solidified a new starting core. Starting safety Jaylen McClain leads the group with four pass breakups and an interception, but Florida State transfer safety Earl Little Jr. and freshman nickel back Jay Timmons are two new secondary pieces this season who've made an impact.
The only concern for Ohio State's passing defense is Timmons being listed as questionable after suffering an unspecified injury against Illinois.
Edge: Ohio State
Ohio State rush defense vs Iowa rush offense
Ohio State's defensive front seven enters the Iowa matchup looking to bounce back after giving up 199 rushing yards against Illinois. A main focus for the defense, according to Day, is containing "explosive plays" on the ground. The Fighting Illini went on three 20-plus-yard runs, including a 22-yard gain from Jordan Anderson for a touchdown.
Iowa is led by running back Kamari Moulton, who recorded six yards on two carries in the 2024 35-7 loss to the Buckeyes. Moulton's 284 rushing yards this season have boosted the Hawkeyes to 862 rushing yards, which is the fourth-most in the Big Ten, though over 82% of those yards (711) came against Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa. Against Power 4 opponents Iowa State and Michigan, the Hawkeyes have just 151 combined rushing yards.
Edge: Ohio State
Special teams
Iowa is one of four Football Bowl Subdivision teams that have scored a touchdown on a punt return and kickoff return this season. While Evan James took a punt 77 yards to score in the Hawkeyes' season opener against Northern Illinois, Braeden Jackson converted a kickoff from Michigan into a 99-yard touchdown.
Ohio State's longest special teams play of the season came off a 20-yard kickoff return from wide receiver Devin McCuin against Illinois.
Though Buckeyes kicker Connor Hawkins missed a crucial 45-yard fourth-quarter field goal in the 24-23 loss to Texas, the Baylor transfer has hit his other four field-goal attempts this season, including a 48-yarder against the Longhorns. Iowa kicker Caden Buhr is 5-for-7 on field goals, missing two 50-plus attempts.
Edge: Iowa
bmackay@dispatch.com
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: In what areas does Iowa football have an advantage over Ohio State?
Source: “AOL Sports”
