Three key storylines for the Buckeyes on Saturday against the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The Ohio State Buckeyes roll into Kinnick Stadium on Saturday to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes, who have an upset on their mind. The Hawkeyes enter Saturday's game coming off an incredible walk-off win last week against the Michigan Wolverines in the Big House.
Now, that momentum has run out and they face the toughest test on their schedule.
The environment will be incredible, the stadium will be packed, and the Buckeyes are going to have to play a really good game to get out of Iowa City with a win and continue the journey through their very tough schedule.
Here are three key storylines for the Buckeyes if they want to get a win on Saturday.
1. Find the Run Defense
The Illinois Fighting Illini found something last week against Ohio State on the ground. They rushed for 199 yards against Ohio State, and they did it consistently throughout the game. There wasn't a big play that tilted the numbers. They went up and down the field on Ohio State and put some good stuff on tape on how to attack the Matt Patricia defense.
Going forward to this week, the Buckeyes can assume that they will see a lot of the stuff that worked last week, and they have to find a way to fix it.
The interior of the defensive line needs to take a step up, and the linebackers have to play much better. This will be Ohio State's stiffest test on the ground, and they need their A-Game. If they don't have it, this game is going to shrink rapidly.
2. Win the Game Through the Air on Offense
The Iowa pass defense looks good on paper, but on tape, it leaves a lot to be desired. The Buckeyes, Jeremiah Smith specifically, are going to have such an edge through the air when the Buckeyes have the football, and they have to take advantage of it.
This week also presents another opportunity for Ohio State to find out who that second option behind Smith is going to be. Is Devin McCuin finally going to show up? Is one of the freshmen going to step up? Or is this pass game going to just be on the back of No. 4?
3. Don't Take Your Foot Off the Gas
This one is more philosophical in nature. The Buckeyes are the better team today, plain and simple. The only way that they fall today is if they stumble over themselves and let the Hawkeyes hang around.
The Texas game was exhibit A and last week against Illinois had nearly the same identity as the Texas comeback. Ohio State was able to pull away at the end but they need to continue to get better at finishing games when they are ahead.
