Ohio State will likely be waiting until the last possible moment to learn whether freshman cornerback Jay Timmons can go against Iowa.
Timmons has been one of the early bright spots for the Buckeyes this season. The true freshman has already earned Ryan Day’s trust, enough to start at nickel cornerback and handle a role that has quickly turned into an important one. Through four weeks, he has piled up six tackles and forced a fumble on the first play against Texas.
But his availability for this one is uncertain. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Timmons is a true game-time decision, and Ohio State won’t know for sure until closer to kickoff whether he’ll be out there. For a defense that has had its issues, that’s not exactly ideal.
There is at least a chance the Buckeyes can get by without him in this matchup. Iowa is expected to lean heavily on 13 personnel, which could reduce the need for Timmons on the field. That would also mean more responsibility for Ohio State’s linebackers, who would be asked to drop into coverage more often while still helping against the run.
The Hawkeyes have not been much of a threat through the air anyway. In four games, Iowa has only six touchdown passes, and the numbers tell the story: Jeremiah Smith nearly has as many receiving yards, with 617, as the entire Iowa offense has as a team, with 854. That kind of matchup could make Timmons less essential for this particular game.
Still, Ohio State figures to need him in a lot of the games ahead. His value comes from taking away the slot and sealing off the inside part of the field, exactly the kind of job Matt Patricia wants done. With the Buckeyes expecting to play from ahead in most games, they’ll need a defense that can handle the pass, and Timmons fits that plan.
Ohio State is already dealing with another absence on Saturday. Phillip Daniels is set to miss his third straight game after getting hurt against Texas, and he has not played since. Even so, his absence has not been a setback for the offense.
If anything, the line has looked better with Austin Siereveld moved out to right tackle and Gabe VanSickle inserted at right guard. That alignment has worked better than expected, though Iowa’s defense will provide a much tougher test. The Hawkeyes lead the country in points per game allowed.
If the right side of the line holds up again, Ohio State appears likely to keep the same setup it has used in recent games, which would leave Daniels on the sideline again. The Buckeyes had major problems on the offensive line a year ago, and Daniels was part of that issue.
Even if he is not the answer at right tackle, Ryan Day would still prefer to have Daniels available. For now, getting him back to full health remains the priority.
In Other News...
Ohio State Just Delivered The Kind Of Road Win Fans Needed
Ohio State went into Kinnick Stadium and delivered the sort of response win its fans had been waiting for, beating Iowa 31-14 and handing the Hawkeyes their first loss of the season. The Buckeyes controlled the game on both sides of the ball, piling up 484 total yards while keeping Iowa to 238 and a paltry 39 rushing yards, which made this feel less like a tense road test and more like a statement about the gap between the two teams.
Jeremiah Smith was at the center of it, turning the trip into one of those performances that travels well beyond the box score. He finished with 11 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns, giving Ohio State a dynamic edge whenever it needed one and helping offset a couple of turnovers forced by the defense. For a team that needed a clean, convincing road result, this was exactly the kind of night it was looking for. [Read more 🡒]
Jeremiah Smith Just Put Ohio State Fans On Notice Again
Jeremiah Smith kept the Buckeyes moving in Iowa City, turning a road test against the Hawkeyes into another showcase for Ohio States passing game. The freshman wideout tied the Ohio State touchdown record while finishing with 11 catches for 206 yards and two scores, a performance that helped push the Buckeyes to a 4-1 start and add another layer to what has already become a must-watch season in Columbus.
Smiths latest breakout only raises the stakes for what comes next, because Ohio State now heads back home to face Maryland with its young star drawing even more attention. For a team that has spent the early part of the season trying to establish its identity, his ability to create production anywhere on the field has become one of the biggest reasons the Buckeyes keep looking like a contender. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Just Earned The Big Ten Spot Fans Wanted Most
Week 5 brought a clearer picture of the Big Ten race, and Ohio State came out of it looking like the conference team fans expected to see at the top. The Buckeyes handled Iowa in a game that carried more weight than a typical early-season road test, adding a quality win to a rsum that is starting to separate from the pack as the league standings and the national picture begin to take shape.
The rankings around them still have plenty of movement left, with Indiana continuing to push forward, Oregon and UCLA drawing attention for different reasons, and Michigan still trying to sort out its own path. But Ohio States recent momentum is the kind that can hold up as October approaches, especially if the Buckeyes keep matching style points with results in the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]