The Ohio State Buckeyes will meet the Iowa Hawkeyes this weekend for their second Big Ten match for year.

- Date: Saturday, October 5th, 2024
- Time: 3:30 PM Eastern
- Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus
- Opponent: Iowa Hawkeyes
- Win Probability: Ohio State Buckeyes 90.5%, Iowa Hawkeyes 9.5%
- Where to Watch: CBS

This game is part of the regular season, Week 6.

The next match, that is coming up this Saturday at the Ohio Stadium that sees Ohio State battling Iowa promises to be an interesting competition - and fans cannot wait with the game set to start at 3:30 PM EST.

The Coaches: A Tale of Two Leaders

On the good side, we have head coach Ryan Day, the embodiment of Ohio State's high-octane offense. Day has been critical to maintaining the Buckeyes' dominance in the Big Ten, and his executive leadership is second to none. On the other hand, Kirk Ferentz, the longest-tenured coach in college football, brings a wealth of experience and the skills to produce tightly disciplined teams Both coaches have their own unique styles, and it will be especially interesting to see them coach both philosophies as working.

Key Players to Watch

When Will Howard made an appearance as the quarterback for Ohio State, everyone was aware, most especially the spectators. Buckeye's offensive weapon, Howard’s arm strength is so phenomenal that when paired with his accuracy, it makes him hard to overlook – his talent is a huge asset to the Buckeyes. Another great person to watch this season is Jeremiah Smith, a leading wide receiver with a knack for catches in the air and winning the game alone sometimes.

In order to limit the effectiveness of the attacking style of Ohio State University, much responsibility will fall on the defensive unit of the Hawkeyes, especially in terms of tackling and Nick Jackson. The offense will have to resort to Cade McNamara's big shoes to play a more attacking game in order to compete with the other teams.

Breaking Down the Game

Offense: Ohio State's offense is a well-oiled machine, averaging 40 points per game, with Howard and Smith leading the way. The Buckeyes are expected to to put up big numbers. Iowa’s offense, while not as prolific, is efficient and could score off of mistakes.

Defense: Iowa’s defense is their strong suit, known for being stingy and forcing turnovers. However, Ohio State’s defense, defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau, has been strong and looks to disrupt Iowa’s rhythm.

Special Teams: Both teams have reliable kickers, but Ohio State's special teams unit has been particularly active this season, often giving the Buckeyes an edge in field position.

Score Prediction

Given Ohio State’s offensive firepower and home field advantage in Columbus, I predict the OSU Buckeyes to win this one 38-17. Iowa may battle early, but the Buckeyes' depth and good talent should help them earn a comfortable victory in the end.

Season So Far

Ohio State is on a roll, still undefeated and looking a bit like any national title contender. Their balanced attack and strong defense made them a formidable opponent. Iowa, meanwhile, has had its ups and downs, showing bright lights but struggling to be consistent.

A Personal Story

I haven't been to a party in a long time, but I remember going to my first Ohio State match when I was young, with my father. The atmosphere in Ohio State Stadium was incredible, and it highlighted the warm embrace that the fans gave to each other. I always say that attending the Buckeyes games at the Shoe is a very special thing since it had been the case for years. What's more exciting is watching the OSU take on Iowa later this week.