3 & Out: All you need to know about Ohio State’s Big Ten battle with Iowa

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First down

Players to watch for Iowa

1) Hank Brown

In his first year as starting quarterback for the Hawkeyes, Brown is coming off a game where he led Iowa to their first walkoff touchdown since 2009. Brown isn’t going to put up huge numbers but what he does well is not make mistakes. Through four starts this season, Brown has yet to throw an interception.

In a way, Brown is a typical Iowa quarterback. A game manager who puts his team in good positions with smart decisions. So far this season the Hawkeye offense has put up over 500 yards in two games, marking the first time since 2006 they had at least 500 yards in two games in a season.

What Iowa will try and do is grind the Ohio State defense to death and wear them out. If the game is close at the end, look for Brown to try and replicate what he did last week in Ann Arbor and lead the Hawkeyes to victory.

2) Braeden Jackson

Last week after Michigan took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter, Jackson and the Hawkeyes responded immediately with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. With the important special teams play, Jackson was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

Along with being a threat on kick returns, Jackson also plays an important role on offense. The running back enters this week second the team in rushing with 168 yards and a touchdown on the ground. In the 55-0 win against Northern Illinois, Jackson rushed for 125 yards and had two total touchdowns in the game.

Even though Kamari Moulton is the feature back of the offense, Jackson gives Iowa a change of pace when his number is called because of his ability to break off long runs.

3) Zach Lutmer

Iowa’s secondary is definitely going to be tested on Saturday as they try and find a way to slow down Jeremiah Smith. The defensive back who will be front and center in the effort will be safety Zach Lutmer.

Along with being named a preseason All-American, Lutmer was named to the Bednarik, Nagurski, and Lott IMPACT award watch lists. After recording 71 tackles and three interceptions last season, Lutmer enters this week with 20 stops and four pass breakups.

While it’s impossible to completely shut Smith down, Lutmer’s experience can certainly frustrate the sensational junior wide receiver.

Second down

Keys for Ohio State

1) Don’t engage the ghosts of Kinnick

The last time Ohio State made the trip to Iowa City they were throttled by the Hawkeyes 55-24 back in 2017.

The loss was one of the most puzzling of the Urban Meyer era. The Buckeyes were doomed early on in the game when Nick Bosa was ejected for targeting.

There’s something about Kinnick Stadium where Iowa makes teams play their game. If Ohio State can start fast and put up a couple early touchdowns it will put the Hawkeyes in an uncomfortable spot since they don’t want to play nearly as fast as the Buckeyes do.

If Iowa can turn this into a game decided on the ground and in the trenches then it’s going to be a very frustrating day for Buckeye Nation.

2) Emphasize special teams play

One of the calling cards of Kirk Ferentz’s time as head coach of the Hawkeyes has been their special teams play.

With Braeden Jackson’s kickoff return for a touchdown last week, Iowa now has both a kickoff and punt return for a touchdown in three straight seasons. The Hawkeyes are also usually excellent when it comes to punting and kicking field goals.

On the other side, Ohio State’s special teams have left a lot to be desired since Ryan Day took over as head coach. Even though Day says special teams are emphasized, results on the field aren’t backing up his claims. If special teams ends up having a major impact on this game then the final score could be closer than many are expecting.

3) Tighten up on defense

Last week was one of the worst defensive performances by Ohio State’s defense since Matt Patricia took over last season. The Buckeyes allowed 462 yards and 19 points to Illinois. While the subpar play didn’t cost Ohio State the game, the result ended up being a little closer than it needed to be.

Even though Iowa doesn’t quite have the receivers the Fighting Illini do, what the Buckeyes can’t do is have their defense give up yardage and points to let their opponents hang around. In the Texas game it ended up biting Ohio State and with the caliber of some of the teams they’ll play later in the season it could happen again if some of the issues aren’t fixed.

Since the Hawkeyes aren’t as explosive, this is a good week to restore some confidence. If Ohio Stste can shut down Iowa in a tough road environment it will go a long way to help them rebound for games later this month against Indiana and USC.

Third down

Notable Ohio State/Iowa connections

1) Jim & Luke Lachey

Talk about a house divided! Jim Lachey is a former Ohio State offensive lineman and currently teams with Paul Keels on radio calls of Buckeye games. During his playing career, the elder Lachey was named first team All-Big Ten in 1984.

After playing high school football at Grandview Heights, tight end Luke Lachey attended Iowa from 2020 to 2024. As a Hawkeye, Lachey caught 74 passes for 893 yards and four touchdowns. Lachey would go on to be drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.

To add to the Ohio State connections, Luke Lachey’s brother-in-law is former Buckeye offensive lineman Pat Elflein.

2) Earle Bruce

The former Ohio State head coach spent six years at Iowa State before taking over for Woody Hayes in Columbus. During Bruce’s time in Ames, the Cy-Hawk rivalry was reborn. After not playing since 1934, the programs met in 1977.

Bruce coached the Cyclones on that day, which saw Iowa gut out a 12-10 win. Iowa State and Bruce would get some revenge the next year in Iowa City with a 31-0 win.

Following a 29-27 loss to Iowa in 1987, it was announced Bruce would be fired as Ohio State head coach at the end of the season.

3) Lou Groza

The famous kicker spent one year at Ohio State in 1942 before he was sent to serve in World War II. When he returned to the United States, Groza would kick for the Cleveland Browns, where he was named to the Pro Bowl nine times.

To honor Groza’s contributions to the game of football, in 1992 the Lou Groza Award was created, given annually to the best kicker in college football.

The recipient of the award in 2002 was Iowa kicker Nate Kaeding. More than 20 years after his collegiate career ended, Kaeding is still the school’s all-time leading scorer.

& Out

Prediction: 38-17, Ohio State

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