Ohio State Football: 2017 game-by-game predictions
By Shane Lunnen
(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
After an emotional win over the Nittany Lions, the Buckeyes travel to Iowa to open up the last month of the regular season.
Iowa struggled mightily on offense last season. There was little down field passing and the offense played a slow pace in typical Iowa fashion. The Hawkeyes want to grind out games with their power running game. They have a running back that can do just that in Akrum Wadley, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. Iowa is breaking in a new starting quarterback and the receivers are young.
The defense is going to be very good in the front seven. Linebacker Josey Jewell is a leader and they are very strong at the defensive end position. They have to replace all-star cornerback Desmond King though. The Hawkeyes do have some talent though in the secondary, with sophomore cornerback Manny Rugamba having the look of a future all-Big Ten player.
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Something about this game smells like a trap for the Buckeyes. They will be on the road after an emotional victory. Kinnick Stadium is never an easy place to play and the Hawkeyes under Kirk Ferentz tend to get better as the season progresses. This game has the feel of Iowa’s upset last year at home against Michigan.
Iowa surprises Ohio State with airing it out early and they get an early touchdown. The Hawkeyes smother J.T. Barrett and the Buckeye offense for most of the night. Ohio State does get a touchdown on the board late in the first half. They add three field goals in the second half, but the Iowa defense won’t break. The Hawkeyes just keep pounding away on the ground with Wadley, who scores twice in the second half. The Hawkeyes grind it out on the ground and Ohio State runs out of time.
Despite the first loss of the season, Ohio State still has the lead in the Big Ten East with their head-to-head victory over Penn State.