The Buckeyes, coming home after two tough road games against ranked opponents (at PSU and at Minnesota), should have a “breather game with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Although the Bucks should handle the Hawks with relative ease in Ohio Stadium, they won’t be a complete pushover as they hung tough with Nebraska and PSU for a half and lost a tough one to Indiana (last Saturday) and their high-powered offense. Against IU, Iowa moved the ball well, exploding for 31 points and over 500 yards of total offense, including over 400 yards in the air.

THE STARS ON OFFENSE FOR IOWA ARE:
1. TB Ladell Betts- 629 yards last season, 543 yards and four TD’s so far this year.
2. QB Scott Mullen- 36 for 63- 2INT’s for 426 yards.
3. WR Kevin Kasper- 26 receptions for 262 yards.

THE HAWKEYE DEFENSIVE LEADERS ARE:
1. S Matt Bowen- 73 tackles and six for loss
2. LB Aaron Kampman- 59 tackles
3. CB Tarig Holman- 3 INT’s

This game will not be similar to last season’s OSU-Iowa game. Last year, Ohio State took out their frustration on the Hawks, 45-14, by rolling up 627 yards of total offense. The week earlier, #1 OSU lost at home to 28 point underdog Michigan State, thus eliminating their run at the National Championship.

Coming into this contest, the Bucks are having a mediocre season, struggling most of the year with a young team. OSU will be a huge favorite in the game, but will not put up gaudy numbers as last season’s team did when playing Iowa. This OSU team has trouble generating yards and points, and struggles with every team they play, so the final score won’t be an outrageous one. The Hawks will keep it respectable with some good defense.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 28-14.