No "Gray" area on the threat of Iowa at Ohio State

Ohio State football fans, rejoice, as the Buckeyes are now firmly into their Big Ten conference schedule. No disrespect intended towards the three non-conference opponents, but the collective impression by national college football fans was comparable to a yawn.

And while the game at Michigan State was an improvement in the national consciousness of college football fans, a part of it was overshadowed by the fact that the game was televised on Peacock, a streaming platform that not every college football fan has or uses.

With Iowa coming into Ohio Stadium for a nationally televised 3:30 pm ET kickoff on CBS, the Buckeyes have a true national platform to demonstrate their perceived prowess as the calendar now switches to October.

While Iowa may not garner national respect for their offensive prowess, the Hawkeyes are considered one of the better teams within The Big Ten, and are well-respected for their traditionally strong defenses, especially against the run. Iowa is presently only giving up an average of 62 yards per game on the ground, for a meager 2.41 yards per carry. More on that below.

Among the other notable storylines for this game is the sort of homecoming related to some of the players on Iowa's roster, most notably TE Luke Lachey and RB Kaleb Johnson. Lachey is the son of legendary Ohio State offensive lineman Jim Lachey and grew up in the shadows of Ohio Stadium. Lachey ranks among the leading receivers for Iowa, with 12 receptions for 97 yards.

Kaleb Johnson hails from Hamilton, Ohio, currently ranks as the leading rusher in The Big Ten with 685 yards and 9 touchdowns, and was not offered a scholarship coming out of high school by the Buckeyes. Johnson raised eyebrows earlier this week when the subject of Ohio State came up, stating, "Even if they offered me, I wouldn't have went. I want to beat them. That's my goal.". Something tells me that those comments are getting lots of airplay within the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

Not surprisingly, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has been accurately complimentary of Iowa. On his weekly radio show previewing the game on October 3rd, Coach Day said, "A very well-coached, physical team that plays complementary football...When you play against a style of team like this, more than ever, it's like the ultimate Big Ten game.".

Ohio State will be wearing their special gray jerseys for this game versus Iowa. Ohio Stadium will be buzzing in anticipation for this one.

Below are Three things to watch from Iowa when this game gets underway on Saturday afternoon:

1. The Ohio State Run defense versus the Iowa rushing orfense

As cliche as this will seem, how Ohio State manages, or does not manage, the Iowa running game will be the key to the game. Yes, Iowa has improved their passing game (more on that momentarily), but Iowa will be looking to control the clock, minimize the opportunities the Ohio State offense will have with the ball, and generally try to wear down the Ohio State defense.

The aforementioned Kaleb Johnson is averaging 8.4 yards per carry - if Iowa can line up on 1st and 10, give the ball to Johnson, and be looking at 2nd and 2 or 2nd and 3, that will simply open up their passing game for play-action passing.

The Ohio State defense has started out slowly in the last two games versus Marshall and Michigan State. Hopefully, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has his defense ready to go. I am wondering if Ohio State sophomore linebacker Arvell Reese may figure more in the defensive game plan for Iowa; we shall see.

2. Iowa's tight ends versus the Ohio State secondary

The aforementioned Luke Lachey is a likely target of Iowa QB Cade McNamara, as is fellow tight end Addison Ostrenga. As I wrote above, Iowa's passing game's effectiveness is largely predicated upon the success of its running game. With talented tight ends such as Lachey and Ostrenga, the Ohio State linebackers, and especially the safeties, are going to be tested throughout this game.

3. Ohio State's running game versus Iowa's run defense

The Hawkeyes are stout against the run and will make the Buckeyes painstakingly earn every yard on the ground. Quinshon Judkins has demonstrated a physical style of play between the tackles, but it will not be surprising if it takes well into the second half of this game before he and fellow running back TreVeyon Henderson are able to start getting more than just a few yards per carry. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard's legs may play a part here, on either designed quarterback runs or simply on scrambles for positive yardage.

This game is going to provide Ohio State's coaches, players, and fans a good glimpse of how the Buckeyes stack up against a quality opponent. Iowa may not have the depth offensively to keep up with Ohio State, but it will not surprise me at all if the Hawkeyes are one of the 12 teams in The College Football Playoff come December.

This game will go deep into the 4th quarter before Ohio State pulls away. I have it Ohio State 31, Iowa 17.