“In every battle there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten, then he who continues the attack wins…” ~ Ulysses S. Grant
A proud son of Ohio, hailing from Point Pleasant, former Civil War general and the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant would be a strong advocate for as much advanced scouting of the enemy as possible before a battle was engaged.
While I have the utmost confidence in Urban Meyer and his strong staff of assistants, below are three areas I will be keeping an eye on when Ohio State travels to Iowa City for the first time since 2010, when Ohio State rallied to defeat Iowa, 20-17.
At his press conference on October 30th, Urban Meyer stated, “They’re just tough. They’re like their coach. Their coach is a tough guy. They’re like the State of Iowa. They’re tough people. I love Iowa…I never met too many people or players that just don’t have that Iowa characteristic of toughness and I’m going to hit you as hard as I can.”.
Yes, I know Ohio State is the big favorite according to Vegas, but this game has screamed trap game all season. Coming off the emotional win against Penn State, the Buckeyes are ripe for an upset, and it is not like Iowa has not ruined other teams’ seasons with big games. Just ask Penn State in 2008, or Michigan in 2016.
Can Iowa Capitalize Upon Ohio State’s Woeful Special Teams?
On The B1G Coaches teleconference on October 31st, Urban Meyer stated that the Buckeyes will have some changes in personnel related to the kickoff coverage. Personally, I am all in favor of having a kicker who just booms it into the end zone, every time, without worrying about trying to pin the opposition into the corner of the end zone. Anyway, back to Iowa – the Hawkeyes average about 22 yards a return, with Akrum Wadley being the primary kickoff returner for Iowa. Speaking of Akrum Wadley…
Definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Pure stubbornness on Urban Meyer
— Chip Minnich (@ChipMinnich) October 28, 2017
Akrum Wadley Is Iowa’s Main Offensive Weapon
Iowa’s leading rusher (643 yards and 5 touchdowns), tied for second on the roster with Noah Fant and Matt VandeBerg with 19 receptions, as well as the aforementioned kickoff returns, Wadley will be a marked man by the Ohio State defense. Listed at 5’11”, 195 pounds, Wadley consistently averages four yards a carry whenever he runs the ball. Just like last week against Penn State’s Saquon Barkley, Ohio State’s defensive line will need to clog the interior, relying on the Ohio State linebackers and safeties to prevent Wadley from getting to the perimeter.
The Name Josey Jewell Will Be Involved Frequently On Iowa’s Defense
Listed at 6’2″, 235 pounds, Jewell is a Butkus Award semifinalist. Jewell is leading The B1G in tackles with 81, averaging nearly 12 tackles a game. Jewell also has 2.5 sacks and 1 interception this season. He had back-to-back 16-tackle performances in consecutive one-possession losses to Penn State and Michigan State, respectively. He plays his best in Iowa’s biggest games.