Three key players to watch in Ohio State football vs. Iowa clash

The Ohio State football team returns home this weekend to play another Big Ten game. After taking down the Spartans of Michigan State in their first road game of the year, the Buckeyes have returned to take on Iowa. There is a big difference between facing the Spartans and the Hawkeyes.

Michigan State had a solid running game but nothing like what Iowa has. Iowa's defense is also slightly better than what the Spartans have. Simply put, this is going to be a tougher test for the Ohio State Buckeyes. What makes things tougher for them is what they have ahead of them as well.

After this game, the Buckeyes will have to travel to Eugene and take on the Oregon Ducks. It's the toughest game that they have on their schedule, and it could be one that determines the fate of the Big Ten. Ohio State will try not to focus on that this weekend.

Dealing with this potential trap game is going to come down to the key players on both sides of the ball. In this game, there will be three players who will decide the fate of this game. One of them plays for the Hawkeyes and the other two play for the Buckeyes.

The first player on this list is on the defensive side for the Buckeyes.

1. Sonny Styles

Sonny Styles changed positions in the offseason. He went from safety to linebacker after the addition of Caleb Downs from the transfer portal. It was thought that Styles' play style would be advantageous to stop the run because of his size and strength.

So far, the results have been mixed. Styles started out this season with some slower play. He seemed to not attack downhill fast enough to stop running backs in the hole. He got better with that against Michigan State and he has continued to get better as he gets more reps at linebacker.

Styles is going to be a major key in this game for the Ohio State football team. He is going to be one of the guys that the Buckeyes are going to lean on to stop the run. Iowa is going to try to pound the rock, keep possession of the ball, and keep Ohio State's offense off the field.

Jim Knowles needs Styles to play fast and smart. If he can come downhill and get running backs in the gaps before they can escape to the second level, then the Buckeyes can stop the fundamental way that Iowa wants to attack Ohio State. Stopping the run is paramount.

This leads us to the next player on this list and it's the key player for Iowa in this matchup.