The Ohio State football team will have a difficult stretch in November.
November usually brings in bad weather for Big Ten games and the true contenders for the conference title are determined during the month. That’s when big boy football is played, and it will certainly be on display when Ohio State visits Iowa.
Urban Meyer takes pride of his Buckeyes playing physical. The Hawkeyes take pride in doing so as well, and they have for nearly two decades.
Kirk Ferentz took over the reigns as Iowa head coach in 1999. Since that time the Hawkeyes have been known for their punishing running attack and a rugged defense.
That style of play will never change as long as coach Ferentz is at the helm. After all, it has enabled him to compile a 145-98 record during his tenure at Iowa.
The Hawkeyes will also bring something to the table the Buckeyes haven’t faced so far this season. An I formation that includes a position that is nearing extinction in college football. A fullback.
Why is that important? The fullback in an I formation is a player who knows he won’t put up meaningful stats but just likes to hit people. He is perfectly content to pummel a linebacker, or a safety who moves into the box, to allow his buddy carrying the ball behind him to get the glory.
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It is a brand of power football that used to be the norm in the Big Ten. And no team has epitomized this brand of football more than Iowa for the nearly two decades coach Ferentz has been at the helm.
As for a rugged defense, the Hawkeyes are No. 11 in the country in scoring defense. And you can bet all 11 players will hit hard and swarm to the ball. That’s what coach Ferentz’ teams are known for.
Next week it will be more of the same for the Buckeyes when they entertain the Michigan State Spartans. Then, after the game versus Illinois, Ohio State will travel to Michigan which will be the most physical game during the college football season.
If the Buckeyes can make it through this four game stretch unscathed, it will prepare them for the Big Ten Championship game. They will face the Wisconsin Badgers who always play power football.
Next: Big Ten predictions for week 10
Big Ten football in November is always interesting and it’s the time when teams prove whether they are contenders or pretenders. After all, this is the month when big boy football is played.