Ohio State left Iowa with more than a win. It left with a performance that showed just how dangerous this offense can be when it starts clicking.
The Hawkeyes came in with a scoring defense that looked elite on paper, and in one sense it was. Iowa led the country at eight points allowed per game before Saturday and still sits in the top 10, now tied with Ohio State at No.
- But the Buckeyes still managed to hang 31 on them, which says plenty about what kind of firepower this group is carrying.
That total looked even more impressive when you zoom out. Iowa had allowed 400-plus yards only five times in its previous 58 games, yet Ohio State rolled up 484 yards against it. That kind of output doesn’t happen by accident.
Jeremiah Smith was right at the center of it all. The wideout broke Ohio State’s career records for touchdowns and receptions on Saturday, and he already owns the school mark for career yardage. With the season still in progress, the idea that anyone catches him in those categories anytime soon feels pretty far-fetched.
Julian Sayin was just as important to the show. The 2025 Heisman finalist now holds the all-time single-season completion percentage in D1 football history at 78.9 percent, and his career completion rate sits at 75 percent, which would also be a record if he finishes there.
The connection between quarterback and receiver is impossible to miss. Sayin will trust throws into triple coverage because that’s often what it takes to even give Smith a chance, and Smith keeps proving he can come down with them anyway.
Sayin also gave Ohio State something with his legs. He isn’t known for running, but he picked up 28 yards on nine carries when plays broke down, even though the official stat line shows him at minus-1 yard because of 29 yards lost on sacks.
The run game still needs some sorting out, but there were encouraging signs there too. Ohio State ran it 47 times and finished with 3.4 yards per carry, while Ja’Kobi Jackson kept churning out steady gains.
He finished with 72 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, good for 5.1 yards per attempt. Jackson doesn’t lead the team in rushing yardage, but he does lead the Buckeyes in yards per carry at 6.2 and has six touchdowns this season.
The biggest issue still hanging over the offense is the line. Ohio State allowed four sacks and dealt with a string of false starts that kept putting the unit behind schedule. With a trip to Indiana coming next and USC and Oregon waiting right after the bye week, that part of the operation has to get cleaner.
Even with those rough edges, the Buckeyes handled a road game that looked dangerous before kickoff. After the loss to Texas, there wasn’t much margin left, and this was the kind of spot where they needed to show they could build a lead and keep it. They did exactly that.
If Ohio State keeps tightening up the details, this offense has every chance to stay on track down the stretch and keep making its case as one of the best in the country, loss or no loss.
In Other News...
Ohio State Fans Have A Cheaper Way To Watch Todays Game
For Ohio State fans trying to follow todays game without leaning on cable, the options are more crowded than ever, but also a little more manageable if price is the main concern. The latest rundown of college football streaming services points viewers toward a handful of familiar platforms, including DIRECTV MySports, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and Fox One, each offering a different mix of live channels, trial periods and monthly costs.
What makes this weeks viewing puzzle interesting is that the cheapest route is not always the most obvious one, especially when channel access can vary by service. For Buckeyes fans, the real challenge is matching the broadcast with a package that actually carries it, which is why the best value option may depend less on name recognition and more on which platform gives the easiest path to the game without forcing viewers into a pricier bundle. [Read more 🡒]
Former Michigan Star Just Reignited The Debate Ohio State Fans Love
Jake Butt briefly reopened one of the most familiar arguments in college football when he suggested in an interview that Michigans 2023 national championship carries an asterisk because of how the sign-stealing scandal has colored public perception. The former Wolverines tight end later took to social media to clarify that he believes those championships were real and earned, but the initial remark was enough to stir up a debate Ohio State fans never seem to tire of revisiting.
For Buckeyes followers, the timing only adds another layer to a rivalry that already lives on edge, especially with Michigan now trying to steady itself through coaching changes and uneven play since Jim Harbaughs departure. Even as Butt walked back the sharper edge of his comment, the larger issue remains unresolved: how much the scandal has damaged the way outsiders view a title that the program still claims as legitimate. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Freshman RBs Shrinking Role Now Carries A Bigger Concern
Legend Beys role in Ohio States backfield has already been sliding, and the freshman running back has not appeared in the last two games after seeing only limited action earlier in the season. For a program that keeps a close eye on the development and availability of every scholarship player, a young runner disappearing from the rotation is notable on its own, especially when the Buckeyes are trying to sort out depth behind the established options.
The bigger concern is what has been happening away from the field. Bey was reportedly cited for speeding and allegedly evicted from his apartment for nonpayment of rent, adding another layer of uncertainty around a player whose playing time has already been shrinking. It is still unclear whether those off-field matters are tied to his reduced role, and the coaching staff has not confirmed any connection, leaving the situation open as one more item to monitor around the Buckeyes. [Read more 🡒]