Ohio State Buckeyes vs Iowa Hawkeyes Predictions

Smith tests Iowa's secondary

Jeremiah Smith is the clearest matchup problem for Iowa. CBS Sports reported that the Ohio State receiver had 33 catches for 617 yards and seven touchdowns through four games. The Associated Press noted that he caught four touchdown passes against Illinois and leads the FBS with 154.3 receiving yards per game.

Iowa allowed six Michigan pass plays of at least 20 yards in its last game, according to the Associated Press. That vulnerability gives Ohio State the stronger case to win, and the Buckeyes also won the past two meetings by 44 and 28 points.

The case for Iowa +14.5

The SPF line makes Ohio State a 14.5-point road favorite with a -625 moneyline. That moneyline offers little value, while the spread requires the Buckeyes to win comfortably against an Iowa team that is 4-0 after beating Michigan on the final play.

Ohio State's defense allowed 462 yards and 25 first downs in a 42-19 win over Illinois, CBS Sports reported. Iowa quarterback Hank Brown also led a game-winning drive at Michigan, finishing it with a touchdown pass to Reece Vander Zee. Those results make Iowa +14.5 more attractive than Ohio State at a heavy moneyline price.

No starter or injury information is available, which limits confidence in the wager. Ohio State is the likely winner, but Iowa plus the points is the better lean at the listed prices.