Game Thread Game Four: Ohio State 31, Iowa 6 (final)

[lvbuckeye]

Iowa has the best QB in the Big 10,

Drew Stanton plays for Iowa?

 

[Onebuckfan]

If the hangover is over..OSU 20 IOWA 10. If not the game is up for grabs. Some early sucess for TS and TG and I will be able to breathe easier and so will the defense.

 

[BrutusBobcat]

You're right.

JT continues to work on the running game.

JT continues to work on our blocking assignments.

JT continues to focus on consistent QB play...good decisions, no turnovers, and playmaking.

JT continues to let the defense dictate the tempo of the game.

JT continues to unveil a new wrinkle, formation, and/or personnel package on offense.

JT continues to disappoint those who desire the offensive philosophy of Urban Meyer.

In short...JT continues to do the things we need to do to ensure ourselves a victory against scUM and bowl game.

Come 11/19 - we'll be right where we want to be.

Shhhh! Don't give away the gameplan...Iowa fans are lurking.

"Uh, Iowa fans. Please pay attention. Our only chance for victory is if Troy Smith throws for 400+ yards. The goal is to ensure that Ginn and Holmes get at least 10 touches apiece, and the coaches say that they plan to work on deep slants and bubble screens. Thank you for visiting our board and please tell Coach Ferentz that we said 'hi'. Please ignore our kicking game and defense. Ohio State wins with offense. We don't even know what field position means."

 

[Taosman]

Our latest injury report has #50 V. Gholston available for Iowa! Like to see him get turned loose! And we know Mike D. is coming back in a few. And best of all Freeman is coming back in a few weeks! This defense is gonna be a killer....if it isn't already.

 

[bukIpower]

I'm excited about D'andrea coming back... Hopefully he's ready to go! Just imagine our 3rd down defense with Carp at End, Hawk, and D'andrea in the middle!! For sure I think we need to take it slow with Mike for sure. Hopefully Gholston comes back and can add another weapon when it comes to a pass rush.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>Big Ten opener packed with pressure <HR width="100%" noShade SIZE=1></TD></TR><TR><TD>Andrew Skwara
Rivals.com College Football Staff Writer </TD><TD noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Big Ten title hopes, flickering national championship dreams and revenge will be among the storylines when No. 8 Ohio State (2-1) and No. 21 Iowa (2-1) get together Saturday at noon in Columbus in the Big Ten opener for each team.

<!--Start Image--><SCRIPT language=Javascript>document.write(insertImage('/IMAGES/Player/photo/DREWTATE20.JPG', '', 1, 267, 200, 1, 'Iowa needs a strong performance from quarterback Drew Tate on Saturday.', '', 1127374855000, '', 1014, 'Align=Left'));</SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=202>

</TD><TD width=6 rowSpan=4>

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right>Associated Press</TD></TR><TR><TD height=3>

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>Iowa needs a strong performance from quarterback Drew Tate on Saturday.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Image-->So much for easing into league play. With so much at stake, the showdown has been selected as the Rivals.com Game of the Week, on a weekend that will feature several high-profile matchups.

Most of the pressure is on the Buckeyes after they fell to No. 2 Texas, 25-22, at home two weeks ago. Another loss would eliminate any chance of landing in the Rose Bowl for a talented team that was one of the preseason favorites to possibly end USC's run at a third consecutive national title.

Making up for an embarrassing performance at Iowa last year is another priority. The Buckeyes were pummeled, 33-7, failing to score until there was 2:19 left in the game. It was the worst loss in coach Jim Tressel's five-year tenure.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz began the season with bigger expectations for his program from fans and media than ever before. The Hawkeyes returned most of their star players from a team that finished 10-2 last season, including a 30-25 win against LSU in the Capital One Bowl, and shared the Big Ten title.

But national title talk completely stopped in Iowa City after the Hawkeyes' surprising 23-3 loss at rival Iowa State two weeks ago.

Disappointing losses early in the season are just the start of the similarities between two of the Big Ten's premier programs.

Both teams are led by dominating defenses that feature two of the nation's top linebacking corps. OSU's A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter and Iowa's Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenway all have a strong shot at All-America honors.

<!--Start Image--><SCRIPT language=Javascript>document.write(insertImage('/IMAGES/Player/photo/TROYSMITH200.JPG', '', 1, 267, 200, 1, 'Quarterback Troy Smith has been given the complete reins to the Ohio State offense. ', '', 1127375024000, '', 1014, 'Align=Right'));</SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=6 rowSpan=4>

</TD><TD width=202>

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right>Associated Press</TD></TR><TR><TD height=3>

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>Quarterback Troy Smith has been given the complete reins to the Ohio State offense. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Image-->The biggest problem for each team centers around its offense, most notably an ineffective running game. Tressel said he will stop rotating quarterbacks after the Buckeyes' 27-6 win against San Diego State last week. Troy Smith will remain under center in an effort to sustain longer drives and get more consistent production. Smith will be responsible for getting the ball into the hands of star receiver Ted Ginn, who has just 15 touches (5 rushes, 10 catches) so far on offense.

The Hawkeyes are still searching for a go-to running back after finishing 116th out of 117 Division I-A teams in rushing yardage last season.

Offensive edge: Ohio State may have more playmakers, but Iowa would have scored more than 27 points against San Diego State. Drew Tate was the Big Ten's first-team quarterback in 2004 and is surrounded by a handful of veteran receivers. The Hawkeyes running game won't strike fear into any opponent yet, but it is improving, averaging 215 yards per game. Give a slight edge to Iowa.

Defensive edge: Ohio State gets the nod here. The Buckeyes do have a slightly better linebacking corps thanks to the forgotten man of the trio. Middle linebacker Anthony Schlegel would be a star on many other teams but he gets overshadowed playing next to Hawk and Carpenter. The Buckeyes also have a more talented secondary, while the Hawkeyes are trying to replace all four starters on the defensive line.

<!--Start Image--><SCRIPT language=Javascript>document.write(insertImage('/IMAGES/Player/photo/TEDGINN1200.JPG', '', 1, 266, 200, 1, 'Texas kicked the ball to Ted Ginn and escaped Ohio State with a win. Will Iowa do the same?', '', 1127375101000, '', 1014, 'Align=Left'));</SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=202>

</TD><TD width=6 rowSpan=4>

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=right>Associated Press</TD></TR><TR><TD height=3>

</TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>Texas kicked the ball to Ted Ginn and escaped Ohio State with a win. Will Iowa do the same?</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- End Image-->Special teams edge: This is a no-brainer. Ginn is due to take back a kick or punt for a score and receiver Santonio Holmes is capable of doing the same thing. A big return by either could be the difference in the game.

Coaching edge: Tough call here, but we will go with Ferentz, who does more with less. Not many coaches could lead a team with the nation's next-to-worst rushing game to a share of the Big Ten title. Ferentz was on the sidelines when Iowa last won at Ohio State in 1987 and a few savvy moves from the veteran coach could be the difference in ending the losing streak.

Iowa player to watch: There is little chance of the Hawkeyes being able to run the ball. Don't be surprised if their offense opts for four- and five-wide receiver formations and tries to get the ball into the hands of underrated receiver Ed Hinkel.

Ohio State player to watch: You can take your pick between any skill player on offense, but we'll go with running back Antonio Pittman, who has struggled this season. Pittman must be more productive if the Buckeyes' offense is going to reach its vast potential.

Iowa will win if … Tate throws for 250 yards and two touchdowns and they don't kick the ball to Ginn. Keeping Smith inside the pocket is another key.

Ohio State will win if … Smith doesn't turn the ball over more than twice and Pittman runs for at least 75 yards.

X-Factor: Iowa's risky blitzes will play a large role. The Hawkeyes haven't taken too many defensive gambles under Ferentz, but with such an inexperienced front four that has changed. The Hawkeyes sent at least one extra defender to rush the quarterback at least a dozen times in their 45-21 win over Northern Iowa last week. They did get burnt several times, giving up nine plays of 15 yards or more. Ginn and company will be given the chance to do even more damage. But, the pressure could also lead to some costly miscues.

Noteworthy: Ohio State leads the all-time series 42-13-2 … Tate and Iowa safety Charles Godfrey are both from Baytown, Texas, which appears to be in the future path of Hurricane Rita.

Prediction: Ohio State 27, Iowa 13

 

[bucknut11]

Collegefootballnews' keys to the game...

[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]Keys to the Big Games
[/FONT][FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif] Week Four, Sept. 24
Iowa vs. Ohio State[/FONT]

a. The Blanket – The Iowa wide receivers are a solid group and were the key reason, along with QB Drew Tate, that the Hawkeyes were a New Year’s Day bowl team last year. The run game was atrocious and the only offense that the Hawkeyes could generate was when Tate found Ed Hinkel or Clinton Solomon downfield. But, in challenging the Hawkeye receivers to beat them, the Iowa State Cyclones may have exploited a weakness that the talented Ohio State secondary can destroy. During the Iowa State game, it was evident that the Hawkeye receivers were not fast enough to push up field past the Cyclone secondary. In essence, the Cyclones threw a blanket over the receivers and didn’t allow them to do much of anything in that game. So, the Cyclones DBs camped out at about 15 yards and didn’t have to move back much more than that, and they shut down any passing lanes with little problem. Now, Iowa State got a strong pass rush and hurried Tate, before he was knocked out, but the Ohio State secondary is even more talented than the Cyclones’ back four, and could get even more push from their front four to help them. Somehow, either Hinkel, Solomon or another Hawkeye receiver has to be a vertical threat. Someone has to stretch the field vertically or the Hawkeyes won’t do anything on offense. Nothing, and it’ll all be because of the Buckeye blanket thrown over them.

b. The Duo – Of the six starting linebackers on the field on Saturday, at least four of them should be first or second round selections in the NFL draft this spring. Whereas Bobby Carpenter and AJ Hawk have a lot of help around them, Iowa’s double play of Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenway don’t have that type of assistance, and that’s put a tremendous amount of pressure on those two this weekend, especially against this explosive Buckeye offense. But, if there’s hope, it’s because of the speed of these two linebackers, Greenway in particular. The X factor to this entire game could be Greenway and his versatility. He isn’t your typical outside backer; he can step out into space and help cover Ted Ginn, and then on the next play, he can be a stand up pass rusher. That ultimately could create a ton of confusion and mayhem in the passing game, and it also puts one of the fastest Hawkeyes chasing after QB Troy Smith. With Greenway working his game outside the hashes, Hodge, then, has hash to hash responsibility. Smith on QB counters and option read plays, Pittman on outside perimeter runs and even Brandon Schnittker on inside power runs become Hodge’s plays to stop. The duo has their hands full, with all the Buckeyes can throw at them, but if Iowa has a chance to win this game it’s on #18 and #52 to carry them.

c. The Beatles – Although not to be confused with John, Paul, Ringo and George, the foursome of Ginn, Holmes, Smith and Pittman are to the Buckeyes what the Beatles were to screaming teenage girls in the sixties – everything. There are a handful of truly powerful offenses in college football, and you may overlook Ohio State, but when a defense lines up across from this fabulous foursome, their hearts should skip a beat. Even in the Texas game, when they didn’t get the offense cranked up like the smooth running engine it will be when Smith is fully integrated into the offense, they still had Texas fans a little nervous every single snap. So, here’s the thought – to win games the rest of the year, there are only four guys that need the ball in their hands – John, Paul, oops – Ted, Santonio, Troy and Antonio. Let’s say that the Buckeyes run on average 62 plays a game – Pittman 17 carries, Smith 13 carries, Ginn 8 carries – Holmes 6 catches and Ginn 5 receptions. That’s 49 ‘carries’ of the football of the 62 plays – leaving a few incompletions and a few other ‘carries’ for Anthony Gonzales, Ryan Hamby and/or power back Brandon Schnittker. As a defensive coordinator, if you know those guys are going to touch the ball that much, you’ll be a scared individual. When this Buckeye offense spreads out the wealth among these four, this offense won’t be stopped. No matter what defense they see, including one that has Greenway and Hodge, they should have a way to beat it. Against Iowa, these four should take over the game and frustrate the Hawkeye defense.
[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif][SIZE=-2]
Conclusion – A loss can mean that you do two things as it relates to your team – you question everything about your team or you realize that you’re that close to being one of the top two or three teams in the nation. The loss at Iowa State seemed to provide even more questions than answers for Iowa, and leave them still searching for <st2:lists w:st="on"> solutions</st2:lists>. As tough, though, as the Texas loss was, the Buckeyes realized they let one get away; they slightly tweaked the offense by making Smith the starter. The defense didn’t need much change at all, and quite frankly, they realized that they’re the best team in the Big Ten. Iowa is still searching for answers and they won’t come cheap and/or easy in Columbus. Ohio State – 31 vs. Iowa – 17[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[Zurp]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>Big Ten opener packed with pressure </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD><TD noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Iowa 13

Damn. He stole my prediction. Ok, then. My prediction is Ohio State 571, Iowa 570. Man, it's going to take a long time.

 

[Taosman]

I want to see a beat down! They, Iowa, deserve it after last year! And some of those Iowa fans, don't get me started!

 

[sandgk]

To my mind there are key differences between the game last year and that which will play out tomorrow.
A - Not overlooking the obvious -- its in The Shoe, not in Kinnick. That's a big plus.
B -- Overall team health, particularly on D -- Much better than last year. we were hurting in the secondary, we were hurting pretty much everywhere. It was to the point that we had LB's pulling out to play coverage on occasion. Something that only made it easier for Tate to do his one man road show of Doug Flutie redux.
This year, we have good secondary coverage. Great hitting LBs playing as advertised. The D-line is showing signs of having some real teeth (thanks Kudla).
This D (post basically the first 2 series) effectively held Young to very low totals on the ground. If they can hold a horse like Vince Young (26 yds I think it was after his early runs), then Wunderboy Tate is in for a tough, tough afternoon. The rest of the Texas running game was also held severely in check throughout the Sept 10th showdown, so Iowa better not count on running tween the tackles or trying to get to the outside.
C -- Our Running Game - hoot and holler not. Have we forgotten just how pathetically stagnant the Running game was last year at this time?? We may not have a 1,000 yd back in the making just yet - but do we need one, just yet? Shoe is completely on the other foot this time round I think. Look for the RB by committe to net over 150 yds combined easy, and toss in perhaps 40 -- 60 yds for Troy Smith with his legs. If Haw is let loose to spell Pittman and punish the Iowa secondary then a 250 + ground game is feasible.
D -- Our Return Game -- Sooo much improved over the 1st half of last year. This a wonder which is ready to break loose and deliver big results. Already it is providing the Offense with excellent starting position - now lets see a clean return, preferably taken to the house.
E -- Ball Hawks & Scoring D -- (not Hawkeyes) -- Last year our D couldn't stop or make a significant turnover vs Tate. Now, our D is back in the business of making turnovers. I'm declaring it, its official. Now all they need to do is get the unconventional score or the pick 6.
F -- Attitude -- On Special teams, On Defense we are seeing some real 'Tude coming out. The Offensive line can get a dose of that fever helping C -- above and G below.
G -- Our passing game -- This is the one area that really needs improvement. But, give me C, and G WILL follow.

Summary - My gut tells me this one isn't as close as some fear.

This one will belong to the Buckeyes and it will propel them for the rest of the season.

With complete deference to the normally sound CFN, this one will be a 3 TD margin of victory for The Buckeyes.

 

[BrutusMaximus]

Ok so ABC-Pittsburgh is showing East Carolina at WVU at noon. I ask you.........WTF.

 

[jlb1705]

Damn you, Corso...

He just picked the Bucks by 20, and for the 'backers to knock out Tate. Sounds like he's been reading BN or something...

 

[AirForceBuck]

First play of the game and Iowa is already calling audibles for the noise.

GREAT hit by Hawk.

 

[osugrad21]

Damn Gameplan has 4 channels of blackout and no Bucks right now

 

[AirForceBuck]

NICE 3 and out!!!!

Whitner looking sharpe. Two near picks in a row!

C'mon Ginn, use those legs baby!