Three quarters into the game last week it looked like the story of the 2017 Ohio State Buckeyes was going to be of a team that rolled inferior competition, but laid an egg every time they faced a real foe. Instead, J.T. Barrett probably came up with his first signature moment since the Buckeyes 2014 win in East Lansing and now the Buckeyes control their own Big Ten title, and likely College Football Playoff destiny. But ask Penn State, Iowa City is no fun. While it won't be a true night game, like Penn State had to deal with, it should be close enough, and Hawkeye fans are happy to get some positive momentum after seizing Floyd back last weekend. Iowa's defense has been good all year, but is playing absolutely lights out right now. They allowed 35 points in the first 5 quarters of Big Ten play (28.0 ppg), but have allowed only 39 points in 15 regulation quarters since (10.4 ppg). You want a tutorial on bend but don't break? Iowa is 12th in the conference in total defense, at 389 ypg, but 2nd in scoring defense. They've surrendered only 8 touchdowns, fewer than every school but Wisconsin...who is 2nd in total defense. They haven't been tested like this though. J.T. Barrett's performance on Saturday made the Silver Football suddenly a two man race. Barrett is leading the conference at over 300 passing yards per game, while also leading in passing efficiency, thanks to a conference best 71.4% completion rate and an amazing 18-0 TD-INT ratio. I don't think there is a quarterback in the nation, Baker Mayfield included, playing any better. The Hawkeye defense is good, but that style isn't going to work 100% of the time. You give up yards like that, and Ohio State will make you pay. It also bears mentioning that the opponents during that 15 quarter streak were Michigan State, Illinois, Northwestern and Minnesota, not exactly an offensive juggernaut in the bunch. Kinnick will be a factor, and I think we see the best Iowa offensive performance in weeks, but defensively I don't think Iowa forces enough three and outs to give their offense much to work with even when they do get stops.
OHIO STATE 34, IOWA 20