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Conference expansion has resulted in major changes for the Big Ten over the last 15 years or so, but one of the shifts that few talk about is how some of the league's oldest members barely play each other these days. 

Iowa and Ohio State played each other almost annually up until the first wave of conference expansion in the mid-2010s, but since then, they've met just four times in regular season play. 

The Hawkeyes and Buckeyes don't consider each other rivals in the slightest bit, but they've been in the Big Ten together for 114 years and have delivered some of the conference's best moments, especially on the gridiron. 

The Oct. 3, 2026 showdown at Kinnick Stadium could provide some magic of its own, and though this year will mark the third meeting in five years between these two teams, it will be Ohio State's first trip to Iowa City in nine years. 

Hawkeye fans still talk about the incredible events that took place on that chilly afternoon in 2017, but it's still far too early to predict what could happen this season. 

The best thing to do in mid-August is to take an early look at this always-talented Buckeye squad, so here we go. 

The Coach 

Ryan Day is back for his eighth season in Columbus, and all he has done is win so far. 

Succeeding Urban Meyer after he rebuilt Ohio State back into a national power certainly helped make Day's life easier early in his tenure, but he's maintained the Buckeyes' high standards. 

A four-game losing streak to archrival Michigan was the biggest speed bump in Day's career, but he answered the fourth loss in 2024 by leading Ohio State to its second College Football Playoff national championship and ninth overall. 

The Buckeyes went a perfect 12-0 in the regular season last year, but faltered in the postseason with losses to Indiana and Miami (FL), the latter of which prevented OSU from repeating as national champions. 

Nevertheless, the 47-year-old Day has compiled an impressive 82-12 mark (.872 winning percentage) at the helm, and its likely he's got another national championship run in him. 

Key Returners 

2026 may be the year Ohio State returns to the top of the mountain, and it's because it returns arguably the best quarterback-wide receiver duo in the country. 

Quarterback Julian Sayin is back after a very impressive first season as the starter. The California native threw for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns, and eight interceptions last year, and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting as a result. 

Twelve of those touchdowns landed in the arms of Jeremiah Smith, who is usually ranked as the top wideout in the sport. If the NFL's eligibility rules mirrored the NBA's, Smith would've been bound for the pros two years ago. But, the NFL Draft begins with college juniors, so this will likely be Smith's final season if he stays healthy. 

Smith, who caught 87 passes and totaled 1,243 receiving yards in 2025, has won the Big Ten's Wide Receiver of the Year Award in each season he's been in the league, and you can believe that he's topped Phil Parker's scouting report since the spring. 

Key Newcomers 

Smith is going to get a lot of attention from opposing defenses, but Ohio State is always going to have other playmakers on the outside. One of the names that could instantly produce this year is freshman Chris Henry Jr. 

Henry Jr. is the son of the late Chris Henry Sr., who was a wide receiver for five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before tragically dying in a domestic incident in 2009. The younger Henry was a five-star recruit and rated by ESPN as the No. 1 wide receiver in the Class of 2026. 

The Buckeyes also have an embarrassment of riches on defense, and Matt Patricia's unit got even stronger with the additions of defensive tackle James Smith (26 tackles, 2.5 sacks in 2025) from Alabama, and defensive back Earl Little Jr. (76 tackles, 4 INT). 

Season Outlook 

Ohio State enters the season ranked No. 1 ranked in both major preseason polls, and it's heavily favored to win the Big Ten and national championships this year. 

The Buckeyes' preseason win total was set at 9.5 by both major oddsmakers, and analysts believe the Smith-Sayin connection could be enough to carry Ohio State back to the top. 

OSU faces a stiff road clash at Texas in Week 2, but if it gets by the Longhorns, it will most likely come to Kinnick Stadium undefeated and atop the polls. 

You Can Win FREE Tickets To Iowa's Season Opener! 

HawkeyeRoundtable is giving away TWO tickets to Iowa's season opener against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5! 

This is easily the biggest giveaway we've ever done on this site, and it's a great opportunity for two lucky fans to experience the joy of attending a Hawkeye football game at Kinnick Stadium. 

Click here to automatically become a member to enter the contest! Additional contest details can be found in our community section, too! 

HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io

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