Iowa trying to rebound against Ohio State
The no. 20 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes are looking for vengeance on Saturday 20 November after their loss last week to Northwestern left them on the outside looking in for bowl games in January. In their sights are the no. 9 Ohio State Buckeyes, a team that,
with a win over Iowa, can supplant themselves at the top of the Big 10 Conference along with other possibles Michigan State and Wisconsin.
Ohio State’s season to date
The Buckeyes started their season out in fine style, winning their first six games over victims Marshall, Miami (Florida), Ohio University, Eastern Michigan, Illinois and Indiana. The streak was snapped when they travelled to Wisconsin and the Badgers clawed
their way to a 31-18 victory.
Since the loss, the Buckeyes continued their winning ways, achieving victories in their previous three games over Purdue, Minnesota and Penn State.
Their remaining games are against Iowa this weekend, and rival Michigan next weekend.
Iowa’s previous games
The Hawkeyes opened their season with two victories, allowing only seven points scored in each, over opponents Eastern Illinois and Iowa State. Travelling down to Arizona was not such a good thing, as the Wildcats snapped their modest two-game winning
streak.
Iowa responded with a three-game winning streak over Ball State, Penn State and Michigan. Their next game was against Wisconsin, and the Hawkeyes lost a heart breaker, 31-30.
The Hawkeyes were in the winning column for their next two games with victories over Michigan State and Indiana, but got a huge shocker last weekend with the loss to Northwestern.
With last weekend’s loss, the Hawkeyes have no chance of making it to the Big 10 championship game, so now they need to play spoiler to Ohio State and then finish strong against Minnesota on 27 November.
Ohio State’s keys to victory
The Buckeyes' offence will be in tough against the Iowa defence, which allows an average of 15 points per game. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor has a 49th ranked aerial assault and a 13th ranked rushing game, and he will need both
to be successful against the stingy Hawkeye defence.
Wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher leads the receiving corps with 43 receptions worth 716 yards and nine touchdowns. He also realizes how much this game means, not only to him but to his team-mates.
"We have a huge challenge having to play at Iowa," Sanzenbacher said to the Associated Press. "Iowa is a team that has made its reputation as a tough team. Whether or not they're coming off a loss, I'm sure they've had this game circled on their schedule."
The rushing game features running back Dan Herron who has accumulated 824 yards on 150 touches with 13 touchdowns.
Iowa’s keys to victory
The Hawkeyes need to forget about the debacle that occurred last weekend against Northwestern and focus on getting to the highest bowl game they possibly can.
Quarterback Ricky Stanzi has led the offensive charge, throwing for 2482 yards and 22 touchdowns. Stanzi’s passing game ranks 35th overall in the league while the rushing game comes in at 60th overall.
His three big weapons are wide receivers Marvin McNutt, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, and running back Adam Robinson, who have combined for 25 touchdowns.
Prediction
Ohio State won the last meeting between these two teams, 27-24 in overtime. Look for another barn burner, with the Buckeyes coming out on top.
Ohio State 30 – Iowa 23
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