The Hawkeyes passed their first major test of the year against Michigan in week four, and week five won't be any easier.
Iowa is back home at Kinnick Stadium after a road win over Michigan, and it's a one-game homestand before heading back on the road to face Washington (Oct.9) and a bye week in week seven. The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off a dominating 42-19 victory over Illinois in week four and are looking to continue their winning ways against the Hawkeyes in week five.
How to watch No. 14 Iowa vs. No. 5 Ohio State
Date: Saturday, October 3
Time: 2:30pm Central Time
Venue: Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City, IA)
TV: CBS
Streaming: Fubo
Iowa record: 4-0 (1-0 Big Ten)
Ohio State record: 3-1 (1-0 Big Ten)
Announcers for No. 14 Iowa vs. No. 5 Ohio State
Play-by-play: Brad Nessler
Analyst: Charles Davis
Sideline reporter: Jenny Dell
Spread, moneyline, and total
Odds are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
- Iowa: +14.5
- Ohio State: -14.5
Moneyline
- Iowa: +490
- Ohio State: -710
Total
- Over: 45.5 (-110)
- Under: 45.5 (-110)
Iowa injuries
Out
- S Tyler Brown
- DB Kyler Gerardy
Questionable
- DB Darion Jones
- LB Derek Weisskopf
Ohio State injuries
Out
- OL Jaxon Powell
- WR Amari Valerio-Hudson
- OL Vasean Washington
Questionable
- TE Bennett Christian
- OL Phillip Daniels
- S Brenten Jones
- LB Braxton Rembert
- RB Anthony Rogers
- CB Jay Timmons
Weather (Iowa City, IA)
Forecast provided by AccuWeather
Perfect football weather will be here for the Iowa-Ohio State game at Kinnick Stadium this weekend. It will be a pleasant 68 degrees in the afternoon, dropping to 48 degrees after sunset. The chance of precipitation is extremely low at two percent, so fans will enjoy near-perfect weather in Iowa City on Saturday.
Series history
Saturday marks the first time since 2006 that Iowa and Ohio State have played while being ranked in the top 15. It is Ohio State's first trip to Kinnick Stadium since 2017, when the Hawkeyes upset the Buckeyes 55-24. Ohio State has dominated the series with a 45-15-3 record, including a 35-7 win in Columbus in October 2024.
Early predictions
Iowa was a slight underdog against Michigan and pulled off the win, but it will be much harder against a formidable Ohio State squad. The Buckeyes have played with a vengeance after losing in week two to Texas, and they have taken that anger out on their last two opponents, beating Kent State 59-3 and Illinois 42-19. Iowa can't afford another slow offensive start against the Buckeyes. Although Ohio State is slightly better on offense than defense, it will be over early if Iowa doesn't put up points.
Quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith have formed a dynamic combination, and it will be extremely hard for the secondary to shut it down. Deshaun Lee will likely be tasked with covering Smith, and it could easily be his most difficult assignment this year. Smith is coming off a dynamic performance against Illinois in which he tallied a whopping 217 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. We all saw what Bryce Underwood did to the Iowa secondary in week four, and it could be even worse this week.
It will be nearly impossible to shut down Smith completely, but Iowa must limit his big plays and keep him out of the end zone. The Hawkeyes also have to get to Sayin more than they got to Underwood last weekend, or the junior signal-caller could have another solid performance.
Iowa's offense also needs the running game to get going so they can establish the play-action passing game, which is easier said than done. Ohio State's defense was vulnerable against the pass in week four, and Hank Brown must take advantage. Although Iowa is a 14.5-point underdog, it will be closer than that at home in front of a raucous Kinnick Stadium crowd. Ohio State wins in a close one, with Iowa hanging around for three quarters.
Final score prediction: Iowa 17, Ohio State 27
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