Three key players to watch in Ohio State football vs. Iowa clash
By Ryan Stano
2. Kaleb Johnson
Iowa is going to cause a real problem for the Buckeyes on the ground because of what Kaleb Johnson is able to give them. Johnson actually gains the second most yards per carry in the country with 8.4. Only Ashton Jeanty of Boise State gains more with his carries.
Johnson has 685 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. He is one of the best running backs in the country and, quite frankly, should be getting more attention. Johnson is going to be the focal point of what Iowa wants to do offensively: slow the game down into a muck-fest.
The Buckeyes are going to need to put more guys in the box to stop Johnson. In the first four games, the Buckeyes have been keeping both of their safeties deep for the majority of games. They need to bring at least one of those safeties down in for this game to keep Johnson at bay.
If Johnson gets going, it's going to be very hard for Ohio State. Johnson running for 150+ yards could spell doom for them and open up the door for the Hawkeyes to upset the Buckeyes. Johnson is the best back that the Buckeyes will face all season long.
The good news for Ohio State is that if Johnson is in the game, they're not going to use him in the passing game. Johnson has just 14 catches in his career. It helps the Buckeyes key in on what the play-call could be with Johnson on the field. They still need to stop him though.
The final key player in this game is a player on the offensive side for Ohio State.