Based upon how the first 1/3 of the season has played out, there are really only 3 realistic opportunities for OSU losses in the final 8 games (ignoring whomever the bowl opponent might be which would obviously be a 4th opportunity.) One of the regular season opportunities is this weekend, on the road, at night in Iowa City, Iowa against the 13th ranked, 4-0 Iowa Hawkeyes. The other opportunities are at Michigan State and then Michigan at home.

Reasons why OSU could very easily lose this game:

• Veteran, mobile quarterback in Drew Tate
• Veteran, hard-running tailback in Albert Young
• Hostile environment, at night, on the road
• Veteran, active defensive line
• Very good coaching from Ferentz and staff, Iowa is always fundamentally sound
• OSU’s defense has been very good thus far, but they’ve not seen this combination yet and they’re due for an “off night” like the offense had last week against a physical Penn State squad with contributions in the form of rain from Mother Nature.

Iowa’s 4 victories have been against division IAA Montana, Syracuse (away without Tate), Illinois (away), and in-state rival Iowa State. None of these really give us a clue about the Iowa team other than the victory over Iowa State. The Hawkeyes beat them 27-17 at home, Texas beat them 37-14, OSU beat Texas 24-7. Transitive logic often fails in sports, but if it holds here, one would expect the Bucks to be victorious.

Reasons why OSU could very easily win this game:

• Veteran, mobile, Heisman candidate quarterback in Troy Smith
• Veteran, hard-running tailback in Antonio Pittman
• Veteran, healthy offensive line (10 deep)
• Veteran, world-class speed in WR corp (Ginn, Gonzales, Robiskie, Hartline, Small, Hall)
• Recent success in hostile environments, at night, on the road
• Veteran, active defensive line (8 deep)
• Fast and hungry back 7 (generating 8 turnovers thus far)
• One of the best “big game” coaches in football with Jim Tressel and staff

What will happen: The first half will be close, I’d expect that Iowa might even lead at half time, 10-7 or the like. The second half sees the Buckeyes pull away for a 31-13 win. Regardless, it should be a very interesting game and I’m really looking forward to it.

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Ohio State’s 2006 record: 4-0 Next up: @Iowa 9/30
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