The Ohio State Buckeyes have been preparing all week for their second tough road game of the season. They are taking on an undefeated Iowa squad that has a lot of momentum heading into this game. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes are trying to prove they can win on the road.
Despite all of the stress that comes with preparing for a game like this, Ryan Day still showed that he can be a great human being. Before the game, Day made sure to honor the kids at the Iowa hospital by sending them a letter of encouragement as each of them endures a fight.
Ryan Day sends a letter to Iowa hospital kids ahead of Ohio State vs. Iowa
Day sent a letter to each kid sitting in the Iowa Children's Hospital that sits near Kinnick Stadium. It was a classy move that shows that Day understands life isn't all about football.
Every patient at the University of Iowa Stead’s Family Children’s Hospital received this from the Ohio State Football head coach, we’re excited to wave back at you! pic.twitter.com/ATwpzCkrNv
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) October 3, 2026
Even in the face of pressure to make sure that Ohio State doesn't drop two games before half of the season is over, he understands that these kids are going through a lot. It probably didn't take him a lot of time to put together this letter, but it's nice that he took time to think about doing it at all.
Of course, this doesn't change the fact that Day wants to make the kids sad at the end of the day. He wants to destroy Iowa and give Ohio State its first top-25 win of the season. He wants to give Jeremiah Smith a chance to crush the Hawkeyes' hopes and dreams, just as he did last week against Illinois.
Day and the rest of the Ohio State football team will get another chance to honor the kids in the hospital at the end of the first quarter when they do the traditional wave. Once that is done, Day can fully put that behind him and focus on what's going on in the game.
Ohio State should be able to beat Iowa if it plays its game
If the Buckeyes stay true to who they are on the offensive side of the ball, they should be able to beat Iowa. Getting the ball to Smith as much as possible is going to be part of the game plan, especially with Iowa down multiple defensive backs. He is someone who can't be covered, no matter how hard defenses try.
How well the Buckeyes play defensively will be the question. They need to be able to stop the run so that Iowa can't control the clock. That is what the Hawkeyes are going to do in order to try to win this game. They know that they can't go step-for-step against the Buckeyes offensively.
The fanbase has always appreciated how good a guy Day is. The question has always been about winning the big games when it matters the most. Day needs this road game for his team's resume when it comes to the College Football Playoff. This letter will be forgotten if Ohio State loses.
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