Ohio State, ranked No. 25, rolled into Iowa and straight-up crushed them 31-14, completely blowing up head coach Ryan Day’s prediction that this would be a four-quarter fight. Day had the Hawkeyes circled after they upset Michigan the week before in Ann Arbor, expecting a battle, but the Buckeyes took control late in the second quarter and never looked back. This wasn’t just a win; it was a convincing statement that saved their big season goals and could be the spark they needed.
Ohio State’s Running Game Is Finally Clicking
We’ve been waiting for it, and it looks like Ohio State’s running game is finally starting to hit its stride. Bo Jackson and Ja’Kobi Jackson split the carries almost equally against Iowa, and what we saw was a huge step up from the first four weeks. These guys were running harder, getting crucial yards after contact, and making something out of nothing against a legitimately good run defense. Even with some clock-killing runs bringing down the final numbers, both were averaging over six yards per carry at one point. Neither hit the century mark, but both cleared 70 yards, contributing to a solid team total of 160 yards on the ground. When you combine that kind of ground game with their passing attack, this offense becomes incredibly tough to contain.
Everyone Is Forgetting About Julian Sayin
Seriously, are we all just sleeping on Julian Sayin? While Jeremiah Smith is out there playing “Batman” and being a Heisman front-runner, Sayin, his “Robin,” is putting together an incredible season that’s totally flying under the radar. Someone’s got to deliver the ball, right? And Sayin is doing it often, and he’s doing it well. The guy completed 20-of-27 passes for a massive 326 yards in this game. Plus, he’s starting to add rushing yards, taking advantage of what defenses give him. Sayin leads the Big Ten in ESPN’s Total QBR by a mile, and he’s second nationally behind Miami’s Darian Mensah. Let’s not forget, this isn’t his first rodeo; he’s expected to make it to New York for the Heisman ceremony for the second season in a row. It’s time to start talking about him as more than just Smith’s quarterback.
Buckeyes Dominated Iowa at Their Own Game
Heading into Iowa City, the big worry was that Ohio State would get sucked into Iowa’s grind-it-out style of play: low-scoring, defense-first, field position battles, run-heavy, and special teams. And honestly, it looked that way early on, with the OSU offense stalling out on drives. But once the Buckeyes got rolling, they didn’t just win; they absolutely beat Iowa at their own game, with better players. Ohio State dominated the time of possession, holding the ball for 38:02 compared to Iowa’s 21:58. Their defense forced two turnovers while giving up none, and they absolutely crushed Iowa on the ground, racking up 160 rushing yards to Iowa’s measly 39. This was a physical, controlling performance that probably would have made former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel smile.
This victory wasn’t just about getting a W; it was about proving the Buckeyes can win in different ways and that their season goals are still very much alive. The team looks like it’s rounding into form, and the rest of the Big Ten better take notice.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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