Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes Odds, Picks, Predictions (10/22/22)

Talk about contrasting styles…

Iowa is a slow-paced team with a horrific offense and a dominant defense. They run the ball, punt the ball, and play defense, like any other Big Ten team.

Ohio State is a high-paced aerial attack led by the nation’s best quarterback.

One style has to break. Which team has the edge?

Let’s break it down. Read on for our Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes odds, picks, and predictions.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes Mountaineers Odds

The sportsbooks claim Iowa should break pretty quick.

The Hawkeyes are catching 30 points on the road in Columbus this weekend. The total is only 49.5.

Betting a road dog with a low total is generally a profitable endeavor. But I don’t think we can reliably bet on this Iowa offense right now.

Let’s break this game down a bit more.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes Mountaineers Prediction & Pick

Ryan Day doesn’t have a one-sided football team anymore.

The Ohio State defense is one of the best in the nation. The Buckeyes currently rank top 10 in:

• Rush Success Rate Allowed
• Pass Success Rate Allowed
• Defensive Line Yards
• PFF’s Pass Rush grades
• Havoc created

The one way you could beat Ohio State last year was on the ground. That’s how Oregon and Michigan kept the Buckeyes out of the college football playoff. That unit is allowing less than three yards per carry this season.

Plus, Ohio State has the nation’s best offense, led by leading Heisman candidate CJ Stroud.

Ohio State has no weaknesses.

It’s not a question of if Ohio State can cover a 30-point spread; it’s will they?

Both these offenses are slow, with each ranking outside the top 100 in seconds per play. Iowa also has a surprising advantage in special teams, ranking top 10 in SP+’s ST metrics, while Ohio State is outside the top 100.

Given those two factors, I lean toward Iowa and the under. But the volatility of this matchup and the game being in Columbus has me staying away.

Leans: Iowa +30 (-110 at PointsBet Sportsbook) | Under 50 (-110 at DraftKings Sportsbook)

Iowa Hawkeyes vs Ohio State Buckeyes Mountaineers Key Matchups

Key Matchup: CJ Stroud vs Iowa’s Secondary

Iowa is the best coverage team in the nation. Their secondary is the best in the nation, and it’s held almost every opposing quarterback to low-efficiency totals.

Iowa hasn’t faced CJ Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba yet. These two can carve up any secondary.

The key will be in the first half. Does OSU come out slow and frazzled against a very talented secondary? Or will Iowa look outclassed from the jump?

Because this game is over if Ohio State goes up four touchdowns early.