No. 3 Ohio State faces its toughest test yet against RB Kaleb Johnson and 3-1 Iowa | News, sports, jobs

Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs for a 40-yard rushing touchdown while Minnesota defensive back Coleman Bryson (left) runs for a 40-yard rushing touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday , September 21, 2024, in Minneapolis attempted to attack him. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Iowa (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) at No. 3 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0), Saturday, 3:30 ET (CBS)

BetMGM college football odds: Ohio State at 19 1/2.

Series record: Ohio State leads 47-15-3.

What is at stake

Iowa will be the toughest test yet for the Buckeyes, who have eliminated every opponent so far. Last week, Ohio State traveled to East Lansing and defeated Michigan State 38-7 in the first Big Ten contest of the season. Aside from a one-point loss to Iowa State on September 7, the Hawkeyes have also won by comfortable margins. On September 21, they defeated Minnesota 31-14 behind Kaleb Johnson, who is second nationally in total rushing yards. The Buckeyes are completing a tough two-game stretch, heading to Iowa for a top-10 matchup against No. 6 Oregon in Eugene.

Key match

Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith vs. Iowa CB Jermari Harris. Smith is every bit the playmaker he was touted as when he arrived as the No. 1 national recruiting prospect. His one-handed catch for a touchdown against Michigan State illustrated the point. Harris is Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated cornerback among players who appeared in more than two games. He has two interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown.

Players to watch

Iowa: Johnson has already rushed for 685 yards and nine touchdowns in four games this season. The Hamilton, Ohio native threw for a career-high 206 yards and three touchdowns on Sept. 21 at Minnesota. To date, he has recorded more than 100 yards in each of the Hawkeyes’ games.

Ohio State: WR Emeka Egbuka has 21 catches for 362 yards — two yards fewer than Smith’s total — and two touchdowns. Against Michigan State, he had a team-leading seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Facts & Figures

Iowa and Ohio State played their last two meetings separately. The Buckeyes went 54-10 at Ohio Stadium in 2022. Five seasons earlier, the Hawkeyes stunned then-No. 1 Ohio State 55-24 in Iowa City. … Iowa has lost eight straight games in the Horseshoe. … The last time Iowa beat Ohio State twice in a row was in 1922-23. … Ferentz tied Chicago’s Amos Alonzo Stagg for second place with his 199th Big Ten win on Sept. 21 at Minnesota. He trails only legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes (205). … Johnson is the first Hawkeye since Mark Weisman in 2012 to have four straight 100-yard rushing games. … Iowa has 200 or more rushing yards in each of its first four games, a first since 2013.

___

AP College Football: Get AP Top 25 poll alerts and updates throughout the season. Sign up here. AP College Football: and