Ever feel like the Iowa Ohio State football game is just the same movie on repeat? You know the script. Ohio State walks in with an offense that looks like it belongs in the NFL, and Iowa shows up with a defense that hasn't changed its philosophy since the Nixon administration. It feels predictable until it suddenly isn't. People look at the 2024 score—a 35-7 thumping by the Buckeyes—and assume that’s the whole story. But if you’ve actually sat through these games, you know the final score in Columbus or Iowa City usually hides a much weirder, more stressful reality.
The gap between these two programs isn't just about five-star recruits. It’s a literal clash of civilizations. One team wants to turn the game into a track meet; the other wants to turn it into a bar fight in a phone booth. Honestly, that’s why this matchup is so fascinating. It’s the ultimate "irresistible force meets immovable object" cliché, but with more punting.
The 2024 Reality Check: Why the Scoreboard Lied
When Iowa Ohio State football kicked off in October 2024, the vibes were surprisingly tense for a while. If you just checked the box score, you saw 35-7 and moved on. You missed the part where it was 7-0 at halftime. Ryan Day was probably sweating through his shirt. Ohio State’s high-octane machine was stuck in the mud because Iowa’s defense was doing that annoying Iowa thing where they refuse to give up big plays.
Will Howard eventually figured it out, throwing four touchdowns and basically living in the red zone during the third quarter. Emeka Egbuka was a monster with three scores. But for thirty minutes, the Hawkeyes made the Buckeyes look mortal. That’s the "Iowa effect." They don't always win, but they make you feel like you're playing football in waist-deep water.
The stat sheet from that day tells a story of missed opportunities. Cade McNamara struggled, going 14-of-20 for less than 100 yards. You can’t beat a top-three team with that kind of production. Meanwhile, Kaleb Johnson—who is legit one of the best backs in the country—was held to 86 yards. When Iowa can’t run the ball, they’re basically a car without tires.
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Why 2017 Still Haunts Columbus
You can't talk about Iowa Ohio State football without mentioning the 55-24 massacre. If you’re a Buckeye fan, those numbers are a trigger. If you’re a Hawkeye, they’re probably printed on a t-shirt you wear to every tailgate. It was 2017. Ohio State was ranked No. 3 and looking at a playoff spot. Then they went to Kinnick Stadium.
It was a bloodbath.
Iowa didn't just win; they dismantled Urban Meyer’s team. J.T. Barrett threw four interceptions. Josh Jackson was everywhere. That game is the perfect example of why nobody likes traveling to Iowa City at night. The stadium is tight, the fans are right on top of you, and the pink locker rooms—yes, they are actually pink—seem to mess with people's heads. It remains the largest margin of victory for Iowa in the series, and it’s a constant reminder that no matter how much talent Ohio State has, they aren't bulletproof.
The Historical Weight
Ohio State leads the series by a wide margin, but the ties go back to 1922. We're talking over a century of games.
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- Total Wins: Ohio State has over 45 wins in the series.
- The Vacated Win: There’s a 2010 win for OSU that officially doesn’t exist because of the "Tatoo-gate" scandal.
- The Longest Streak: The Buckeyes once won 16 straight between 1963 and 1980.
The Contrast in Philosophy
Kirk Ferentz has been at Iowa since 1999. In that time, Ohio State has had John Cooper, Jim Tressel, Luke Fickell (interim), Urban Meyer, and Ryan Day. While the Buckeyes keep evolving their offensive schemes to match the modern era, Iowa stays the same.
Basically, Iowa bets that you will eventually get bored or frustrated and make a mistake. They play "complementary football," which is coach-speak for "our defense and punter will win the game while our offense tries not to ruin it." Ohio State, on the other hand, bets that their athletes are simply better than yours. Usually, they’re right. But when the weather gets cold and the wind starts whipping off the Iowa plains, those bets get a lot riskier.
What to Watch for in the Next Matchup
When these two meet again in September 2025, the narrative will stay the same, but the names will change. Keep an eye on the line of scrimmage. Iowa’s offensive line has been a bit of a question mark lately, which is weird for a program known for producing NFL tackles. If they can’t protect their quarterback, Ohio State’s defensive front will have a field day.
Also, look at the "Star Power" vs. "The System." Ohio State will always have the Jeremiah Smiths and the TreVeyon Hendersons—guys who can score from 80 yards out on any play. Iowa relies on guys like Jay Higgins, the linebacker who seems to be involved in every single tackle. It’s a battle of highlight reels versus efficiency charts.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at Iowa Ohio State football from an analytical or betting perspective, there are a few "ground truths" to keep in mind:
- The Under is Your Friend: Unless Ohio State is just firing on all cylinders, Iowa games tend to be low-scoring affairs. Iowa's defense is too good to get blown out every time, and their offense is often too slow to run up the score.
- Kinnick is Different: Always check the venue. Ohio State at home in the "Shoe" is a different beast than Ohio State in Iowa City. The spread should reflect that, but sometimes it doesn't account for the "Kinnick Magic" enough.
- Turnover Margin is Everything: In the 2024 game, Iowa lost the turnover battle 3-0. You can't do that against Ryan Day. If Iowa is +2 in turnovers, they almost always cover the spread, regardless of who is playing.
- Watch the Punting: It sounds like a joke, but Iowa’s punting is an offensive weapon. They use it to pin teams back and force long drives. If Ohio State is starting every drive inside their own 10-yard line, their explosive offense gets neutralized.
The rivalry might not have the "hate" level of Michigan-Ohio State, but it has a massive amount of respect. It’s the ultimate litmus test for the Big Ten. If you can handle the physical grind of the Hawkeyes, you’re ready for the national stage. If you can’t, well, just ask the 2017 Buckeyes how that feels.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the transfer portal entries for both teams this spring. Ohio State usually reloads with high-end talent, but Iowa has been getting more aggressive in finding offensive spark plugs to complement their elite defense. Seeing who lands where will give you a massive head start on predicting how the 2025 clash will actually play out.