Iowa Football: 4 Hawkeyes Who Must Step Up Against Ohio State
No. 14 Iowa (4-0) faces its toughest test of the season Saturday when the fifth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1) visit Kinnick Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. CT showdown on CBS. The Hawkeyes are undefeated, but they will need several key players to deliver career-best performances to knock off a Buckeyes team loaded with NFL-caliber talent.
Here are the four Iowa players who will be most critical to the Hawkeyes' chances of pulling off the upset.
QB Hank Brown: Can He Find Consistency?
Brown struggled through the first three quarters against Michigan before catching fire in the fourth. He completed 13 of 19 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning strike to Reece Vander Zee as time expired.
Brown acknowledged Tuesday that the offense still has room to grow, and offensive coordinator Tim Lester agrees.
“There's so many things that we can grow as an offense, which is why it's exciting,” Brown said. “We don't want to put a ceiling on ourselves, and we want to continue to grow and continue to just exceed and execute.”
Executing against Ohio State's defense will require Brown's best performance of the season. The Buckeyes have playmakers at every level, and Iowa will need its quarterback to make quick, accurate decisions under pressure.
RB Kamari Moulton: The Ground Game Key
Iowa's rushing numbers against Power Four opponents have been disappointing, and that trend must change Saturday. Moulton, the team's leading rusher with 284 yards, is the engine that could make it happen.
Head coach Kirk Ferentz has expressed full confidence in Moulton as the No. 1 back in a deep room. The junior has the talent to break out, but he needs his offensive line to create running lanes.
There is reason for optimism: Ohio State has shown vulnerability against the run this season, allowing 114 rushing yards per game and surrendering 199 yards to Illinois last weekend. If Iowa can establish the ground game, it will control the clock and keep Ohio State's explosive offense off the field.
LB Cam Buffington: The Defensive Playmaker
Buffington has been Iowa's most reliable defensive weapon, leading the team with 38 tackles. The Winfield native is a versatile threat who can cover, blitz, and make stops in the open field.
Against Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, who has been accurate all season, Iowa may need to blitz more than usual. Buffington is one of the few players capable of getting consistent pressure on the quarterback.
His fourth-down stop of Michigan's Bryce Underwood earlier this season showed his ability to make game-changing plays in critical moments. Iowa will need more of that Saturday.
DB Deshaun Lee: The Smith Assignment
Ferentz admitted Tuesday he has been nervous about this game since July. The primary concern is how Iowa's defense will handle Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith, who torched Illinois for 217 yards and four touchdowns last week.
Lee, a 5-foot-10 cornerback with six tackles and two interceptions this season, is Iowa's best option to slow Smith down. He will likely have safety help over the top, but the matchup will be one of the game's defining battles.
Lee has extra motivation: Smith burned him in Columbus two years ago. Revenge could fuel a career-defining performance.
What Iowa Must Do to Win
Iowa needs a complete team effort to beat Ohio State. The offense must find consistency in the passing game, the run game must establish itself early, and the defense must contain Smith without giving up big plays elsewhere.
Special teams and home-field advantage at Kinnick Stadium will also play a role. Iowa's fans are known for creating one of the loudest environments in college football, and that energy could make a difference in a close game.
Game Information
- Who: No. 5 Ohio State (3-1) at No. 14 Iowa (4-0)
- When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT
- Where: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City
- TV: CBS