Friday Open Thread: Iowa

Iowa comes to town tomorrow to take on the #4 ranked Buckeyes in a 3:30 match-up for the first time in quite some time.

I was at that overtime win in 2009 with my brother-in-law and it was a wild ride of a game. I wish I could be in the ‘Shoe with y’all to cheer on OSU.

Here’s our Friday Open Thread for everyone’s enjoyment. We’ve had a nice week off with the bye, but it’s time to get back into a Buckeye frame of mind.

Some links about the upcoming game:

• Chip wants to see some sizzle and style this week from the Ohio State offense. I don’t think he’s alone in that wish, both from Buckeye fans and from the CFB media. (You know, the gatekeepers).
• I took a look at the statistics of this week’s match-up, and while it looks to tilt in favor of Ohio State, the two teams will have some interesting matchups
• Shannon sat down with Rick (@plannedsickdays) of blackheartgoldpants.com to discuss the match-up from the Iowa point of view. Having not seen Iowa much this year, this was enlightening:
  

  MotSaG: What is the biggest difference for Iowa this season compared to last year?
  BHGP: The biggest difference has to be quarterback play. The offense starts with the QB and last year James Vandenberg and Greg Davis’ offense were not a fit. Jake Rudock can make plays with his feet and extend drives. He’s won two rivalry games on the road and shown poise and pocket presence we didn’t expect to see until maybe later in the season.

• Before writing this week’s preview, Kade took up the crusade of defending Braxton Miller against the complaints that he isn’t running the read option as effectively as he could (or as well as Kenny Guiton). Video evidence is included.
• Ronnie took his usual look at the players to watch this week, including some new options in the defensive backfield:
  

  Meyer seems to be pressing for Coach Withers to get Vonn Bell ready to go and play. I think that will be Ohio States best option. Bell is already a solid tackler, but his speed is extremely underrated. Bell may make mistakes, but his speed may help him make up for those mistakes. He was not recruited heavily to just sit on the bench.

• Finally, Kade looks at this week’s matchup in his Iowa Preview. The takeaway:
  

  Iowa is a solid football team and as always well coached. They are a little in over their head vs. Ohio State however and this one should be over midway through the 3rd quarter. I see Iowa keeping things close for a bit and the Buckeyes pouring it on as the game wears on. Eventually Iowa will have to rely on their passing game and it will let them down. They lack the playmakers to keep up with the Ohio State offense, which is averaging 46.8 points per game, good for 6th in the country. Iowa REALLY struggles with the playaction game and OSU thrives on that. OSU should cruise.

Iowa and Ohio State have quite a history. Relive the glory days with this week’s Amazon Item for the Game: Iowa Hawkeyes v Ohio State Buckeyes Big Ten Football Game Program 1959. Sure seems like a simpler time back then.

So how do you see it? Is this game going to be an easy win for the Buckeyes or are the Hawkeyes going to more of a challenge and offer some stiff resistance? What worries you?