Urban Meyer Warns Ohio State: Iowa Could Turn Saturday Into a 'Street Fight'
Iowa football fans have every reason to feel confident heading into Saturday's showdown against Ohio State, and former Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer is backing that optimism with a pointed warning to his old team.
Speaking on his 'Triple Option' podcast, Meyer said the Hawkeyes have a real path to victory if their offense can sustain drives against a talented but occasionally vulnerable Ohio State defense. Iowa enters the game riding the momentum of a 20-19 win over Michigan, while the Buckeyes sit at 3-1 after dominant wins over Kent State and Illinois.
What Urban Meyer Says About Iowa's Chances Against Ohio State
Meyer, who led Ohio State to a national championship in 2014, made clear that Iowa's ability to move the ball will be the deciding factor in Saturday's game.
If it's all on Iowa's offense, you can't do against Ohio State what they've done other times. This can't be a 10-point, one-touchdown game. Even against the Wolverines, one of the touchdowns was a kickoff return. Ohio State's too good to do that. But if Iowa can move the ball, this would be a street fight.
The Hawkeyes are averaging more than 215 rushing yards per game, a ground attack that Meyer believes could expose cracks in a Buckeyes defense allowing just 12.3 points per contest this season.
Meyer framed the matchup as a battle of strengths.
It's going to be strength on strength: Ohio State's offense against Iowa's defense. How can Iowa move the ball where Ohio State's defense has at times shown some vulnerability?
Ryan Day Still Remembers 2017 Upset at Kinnick Stadium
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has not forgotten the last time the Buckeyes walked into Kinnick Stadium as heavy favorites. In 2017, Iowa stunned Ohio State 55-24, a loss that still stings for Day, who was the team's co-offensive coordinator at the time.
Bleach that from my mind. It's a lesson learned about a lot of things, but that was then, this is now. That was a long time ago. But it doesn't change the fact that Coach Ferentz and his staff do a great job, and when you go there you have to be on your game and be able to execute at a high level across the board in all three phases.
Day acknowledged the challenge of playing in Iowa City, where the environment and the Hawkeyes' disciplined play have tripped up many a ranked opponent.
It's gonna take everything we have. Everyone's got to be on their game. It's all about preparation, you know, how we prepare to play in this game, and it's going to take everything that we have, you know, in terms of our body. You know, we got to be fresh going into this game. We also got to be on top of our stuff mentally, you know, and the faster you play is usually how much you know.
What a Win Over Ohio State Would Mean for Iowa
A victory Saturday would be Iowa's second straight over a top-tier Big Ten opponent and would firmly establish Kirk Ferentz's squad as a conference contender. The Hawkeyes have won their last two games against Ohio State in Iowa City, and another win would energize a fan base hungry for a return to national relevance.
Meyer's assessment suggests the game could come down to whether Iowa can control the clock and keep Ohio State's explosive offense off the field. If the Hawkeyes stall, he expects the Buckeyes to win by two scores. If they find traction, Iowa fans could witness another memorable night at Kinnick.
Iowa vs. Ohio State: Key Matchup to Watch
The most important battle Saturday will be Iowa's rushing attack against Ohio State's front seven. The Hawkeyes' ability to grind out yards and sustain long drives will not only keep the score close but also limit possessions for a Buckeyes offense loaded with playmakers.
Kickoff is set for Saturday, and with both teams carrying momentum into the game, the stakes could not be higher. Iowa has the home crowd, the ground game, and now the backing of one of college football's most respected voices.
Whether that translates into a win remains to be seen, but Meyer's warning makes one thing clear: Ohio State should not take Iowa lightly.