This week, we follow the No. 1 team in the country into Iowa for a date with the No. 13 Hawkeyes. Notable game trends follow, giving you the edge in this huge CFB showdown Saturday evening.
Ohio State QB Troy Smith looks to continue strengthening his case for the Heisman Trophy and help top-ranked Ohio State complete an unbeaten September on Saturday night against No. 13 Iowa.
The Buckeyes (4-0 SU & ATS) have established themselves as the team to beat in both the Big Ten and the nation, outscoring their first four opponents 124-32 and receiving 59 of 65 first-place votes in this week's Top 25. With their winning ways at the ticket counter the Buckeyes are gaining supporters around the nation.
Smith, meanwhile, may be the Heisman front-runner. The senior has completed 66 percent of his passes for 884 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. His 159.9 passer rating leads the Big Ten.
Smith had his worst statistical game of the season on Saturday against then-No. 24 Penn State, going 12-for-22 for 115 yards, one TD and his first two interceptions of the season. However, it was enough for Ohio State to overcome a 3-0 halftime deficit and pull away for a 28-6 victory.
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The win was the second over a ranked opponent for Ohio State, which defeated defending national champion and then-No. 2 Texas 24-7 on Sept. 9.
Visiting the Hawkeyes (4-0, 1-0) was a test Ohio State flunked two seasons ago, losing 33-7 at Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 16, 2004, the only defeat by more than 14 points in Tressel's six seasons as coach. Smith, who began that contest as Justin Zwick's backup, came off the bench to complete eight of 12 passes, including the Buckeyes' only touchdown.
The Buckeyes won last season's meeting with Iowa, 31-6 on Sept. 24, 2005, at Columbus. Smith passed for 191 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 127 yards and two more scores. Ohio State gained 314 yards on the ground, while holding the Hawkeyes to minus-9.
Iowa may prove tougher to defeat back on its home field. The Hawkeyes have won 32 of their last 35 games at Kinnick Stadium.
None of Iowa's victories, however, have come against a top-ranked team. The Hawkeyes are 0-7-1 in their history against No. 1 schools, including a 49-0 loss at Ohio State on Oct. 11, 1975.
The Hawkeyes also have yet to face a ranked opponent this season. Their victories have come over Division I-AA Montana, and three Division I-A teams — Syracuse, Iowa State, and Illinois — with a combined record of 5-7.
Merrick had one of Iowa's four interceptions in Saturday's 24-7 victory at Illinois, the Hawkeyes' Big Ten opener. Senior Drew Tate completed 17 of 27 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown, but also threw an interception.
Iowa defeated the Fighting Illini despite going 5-for-15 on third-down conversions and committing eight penalties.
Tate struggled in last season's meeting with the Buckeyes, going 22-for-39 for 146 yards and one interception while getting sacked five times. However, he passed for 331 yards and three scores in the win over Ohio State two seasons ago.
Iowa's Albert Young, who finished fourth in the Big Ten with 1,334 rushing yards last season as a sophomore, has yet to rush for 100 yards in a game this year, although he has scored four total touchdowns. Young gained 57 yards on 14 carries Saturday.
Ohio State has won nine of the last 10 meetings with Iowa. The rivals will not meet again until 2009 at Columbus.
Notable game trends:
- Buckeyes are 8-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Buckeyes are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS win.
- Buckeyes are 15-3 ATS in their last 18 games as a favorite.
- Hawkeyes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
- Hawkeyes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog.
- Buckeyes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
- Home team is 3-0 ATS in their last 3 meetings.
- Favorite is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
Prediction – Ohio State 31 Iowa 24
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