Anybody else looking forward to the Iowa game this weekend? I had purdue picked as my sleeper, should have gone with the hawkeyes. I think the Buckeyes might have their hands full. Anyone know anything about this matchup?
iNDy | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 8:06 pm | #

anyone here? watching Auburn vs South Carolina and not really impressed with Auburn's defense thus far.
Dix | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 8:40 pm | #

wow, South Carolina is playing well...almost got that TD just seconds ago
Danny | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 10:48 pm | #

One of the few times I will pull for a Steve Spurrier team is tonight.
PangbornViolence | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 10:56 pm | #

That stanford pick is really kicking me in the fruitstand. Auburn looks pedestrian tonight. Somehow it'll get chalked up to the toughness of the SEC.
NDBass | Email | Homepage | 09.28.06 - 11:19 pm | #

"...kicking me in the fruitstand"

Even during the midweek humdrum of ND news, I can still learn a new expression.

Outstanding.
Jim '72 | Email | Homepage | 09.29.06 - 6:53 am | #

iNDy -

I live in Columbus, so I'm innundated with Buckeye news all the time. In general, the matchup looks pretty favorable for OSU. Iowa had a great QB in Drew Tate, and that's the biggest cause of concern for OSU...Tate will be the first truly experienced QB that the Buckeyes play this year. However, Iowa doesn't have much in the way of proven WRs to give Tate reliable targets. Iowa's running back (Albery Young) is actually expected to line up as the slot WR quite a few times, since he's got good hands (and Iowa has a really fast young behind him).

OSU's defense hasn't played a veteran QB yet, but Iowa's offense isn't much (if any) better than the team that got smoked by OSU last year. While OSU lost 9 starters on defense, the young guys have played really well so far this season (giving up only 8 ppg). OSU's offense had trouble getting on track against Penn State last weekend, but should have a better time against Iowa. Again, OSU beat Iowa convincingly last year, and Iowa lost some pretty good defenders (such as LB Chad Greenway).

The "x-factor" in the game is playing in Iowa City at night. Iowa is totally fired up for this game, especially with all the extra publicity (ESPN College Game Day, etc.). OSU got ripped the last time they played at Iowa (2004), but that's the only time Iowa has beaten OSU in the last 10 years. Playing under the lights in Kinnick Stadium gives the Hawkeyes a chance. But realistically, it will probably require some serious mistakes by OSU to allow Iowa a chance to win.

However, as the Auburn at SC game last night showed, road conference games usually aren't a "gimme."
Andrew | Email | Homepage | 09.29.06 - 10:37 am | #

I also live in Columbus and I can say that most tOSU fans I know are pretty nervous. I think that's just because this is their last decent test before UM. However, I watched a lot of Iowa/Illinois last week and I was very umimpressed with Iowa. I think the Buckeyes will win this one easily.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 09.29.06 - 11:35 am | #