Saturday's game between the Buckeyes and the Hawkeyes of Iowa has all the makings of a classic trap game. Not in the sense that Ohio State is looking past Iowa for Michigan State but rather in the sense that Ohio State is riding the wave of an emotional comeback win over Penn State and it might be hard to replicate that kind of energy and focus for a second straight week.

Iowa City has always been a tough place to play for opposing teams, at least in terms of going in and pulling off games by a comfortable margin. The Buckeyes have won their last two games in Iowa City but the last loss against the Hawkeyes happened at Kinnick Stadium in 2004 (33-7 loss).

Will the Buckeyes be able to put all of the distractions aside and focus on the one team on the radar for this week and not worry about the CFP, Oklahoma from week two and of course the season finale against TTUN? We make our picks with how we see things playing out this week.

The Buckeyes have played Iowa 14 times in the last 25 years and have a 13-1 record against the Hawkeyes during that time (Sorry NCAA, you may vacate games but I don't, especially ones that I have been at). During that stretch the Buckeyes have won by an average score off 33-18. That does not mean that all of the games have been easy for the Buckeyes, the last meeting was a 10-point game while the two before that have been decided by three points.

Ohio State has faced the Hawkeyes once since Urban Meyer took over the team, the 2013 game and has never taken his Ohio State team into Iowa City. The Hawkeyes always seem to be good for at least one upset or near-upset a year at home. Penn State was pushed to the limit in 2017, do the Hawkeyes have another one in the tank?

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The Hawkeyes have played five conference games to date this season and are 3-2 in those games. Strangely enough, three of the games have ended in 17-10 scores, losing to Michigan State and Northwestern by that score and beating Minnesota with the same score. In fact, Iowa has not scored more than 19 points in any league game outside of Illinois.

Iowa is going to struggle to score points in this game. Their best hope is to try and make Ohio State to struggle points. I am not sure they will be able to do that. Iowa has faced one top-40 offense and did a good job with Penn State, but that was a night game and Penn State, despite putting up 579 yards only scored 21 points.

The Buckeyes are going to score more than 21 points and Iowa may struggle to score more than 19 points. there is always the fear that this could be the dreaded 'trap game' but there is no way that Urban Meyer is going to allow that. Most of this roster has never played against Iowa and none of them have played at Iowa. There is no familiarity to breed apathy toward this game. The Buckeyes are riding high and will continue to put up big numbers. And I am sure I will be vilified by the Iowa faithful who will roar that teams just don't come into Iowa City and do that to their beloved Hawkeyes. Ask the Cornhuskers about what Ohio State did a few weeks ago there in terms of home losses. Ohio State 42 Iowa 17

It is always difficult to come back down after such an emotional win like the one the Buckeyes earned this past weekend against Penn State. To do it on the road against a legitimate opponent like Iowa, who could make its season by spoiling Ohio State's, just takes that up one or two more notches.

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I have been extremely impressed with the improvement of the Ohio State offense and quarterback J.T. Barrett and I've also been impressed with the defensive staff's willingness to switch things up in the back seven instead of stubbornly sticking with their basic philosophy. But football is still a game of emotions and Iowa is going to be ready to go. While the 5-3 record may not scare many people,they were within four seconds of beating Penn State and have already defeated a good Iowa State team.

I think this game will be a good road test for the Buckeyes and that Iowa keeps things interesting for a while but Ohio State makes the plays it needs to make in the second half and wins a closer game than maybe some in Columbus would like.

Ohio State 31 Iowa 17.

After a thrilling come from behind win, Ohio State must turn around and play at Iowa. The Hawkeyes use the same basic formula that they have for many years under Kirk Ferentz. On offense, they are going to line up in pro-style, multiple tight end formations, and repeatedly run lead stretch zone. On defense, they are going to play a 4-3 over, with all three linebackers on the field every down, and play a lot of split safety zone, namely quarter-quarter half and cover 2.

At its best, Ohio State should have little difficulty beating the Hawkeyes. The Buckeyes' run defense is excellent. Iowa has two inexperienced offensive tackles, and quarterback Nate Stanley is fairly immobile, making for an advantageous matchup for the Ohio State defensive front on passing downs. The Ohio State offense should little trouble using mid-range routes against Iowa's zone coverage.

FULTON ANALYSIS: Offense | Defense

But this also has the makings of a classic trap game. Maybe Iowa -- like it did against Penn State -- is able to have several bend but don't break drives, where Ohio State has to settle for field goals. Iowa tailback Akrum Wadley is dangerous. Perhaps Iowa has some early success running, as it is the first pro-style offense Ohio State has to face. Perhaps Wadley breaks a long touchdown of a third down screen pass. Maybe the Buckeyes have another kickoff coverage breakdown. In short, this could be a game where the score is closer than expected. Ohio State 27-18.

Coming off of as an emotional win as there has been since the National Title game in January of 2015, the Buckeyes look to keep improving as their season is looking to be prolonged. Urban Meyer knows that this team has new life after stunning Penn State with the best 4th quarter comeback of his career, and he will keep the pedal down to get this team to where it can be.

JT Barrett has been the best player in America over the past month or so and I look for it to continue at Iowa City this Saturday. JT’s play has been buoyed by outstanding offensive line play, which has been led by Billy Price and Jamarco Jones. The receiving corps is as deep as we have had in the Meyer era, and Marcus Baugh catching the game winner last week should bode well for him in the coming games.

Defensively, there is not much that can be said about our defensive line that hasn’t already. Simply put, they are the best in the history of college football. I have never seen a group as talented and deep, and their ability to rush the passer is an absolute joy to watch. When we needed a closer down the stretch, they morphed into Mariano Rivera. In terms of our back seven, Chris Worley played his best game as a Buckeye and our corners settled down after a shaky start. Constant improvement is a must, but they are headed in the right direction. Ohio State 35 Iowa 20

Iowa plays good teams close. It's simple as that.

There are really no numbers to put forward that the Hawkeyes will have any sort of advantage over the Buckeyes. The fact is that since 2013, Iowa has lost 12 games at home. However, teams have beaten the Hawkeyes by an average of only five points in those games.

On offense, J.T. Barrett is coming into Iowa City with two straight games of completing over 80 percent of his passes, throwing for over 300 yards and scoring four passing touchdowns. However, this is an Iowa defense that has allowed only eight passing touchdowns this season, limiting quarterbacks to complete and average of 55.5 percent of passes attempted.

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The Iowa offense is nothing flashy. Led by quarterback Nathan Stanley and running back Akrum Wadley, the Hawkeyes average only 25 points per game, compared to 46.3 for the Buckeyes. Wadley has had three straight games in which he has rushed for more than 50 yards, scoring twice in that span.

To the delight of the Ohio State defense, Stanley has had three straight games in which he has thrown an interception. Also, despite running a pro-style offense, he has thrown for over 200 yards passing only three times this season, throwing nine touchdown passes in those games compared to three interceptions.

The Hawkeyes have not given up over 20 points to an opponent since the loss to No.. 4 Penn State in late September. I do see that changing on Saturday. However, Iowa finds a way to stay in games no matter what at home. Despite getting the win, Ohio State will not be pleased with how close it will be at the end. Ohio State 28 Iowa 25

I have not been giving Ohio State enough credit in recent weeks.

That does not mean I'm predicting a momentous blowout in a place opposing teams have historically struggled. The last three contests between Ohio State and Iowa have ended in 10-point or less gaps between the two sides, so I am effectively ignoring al rankings here.

There is plenty to celebrate after Urban Meyer and company found a way to get past Penn State, even if I had written them off by the beginning of the third quarter. But, the Hawkeyes present a more challenging defensive line and, while it might not be the most explosive unit in the country, the Iowa offense is nothing to overlook.

With kickoffs still being an obvious issue and some sore bones following a slugfest in Columbus — Billy Price himself said he is 23 years old but was feeling more like 60 after practice Wednesday — there will most likely not be a runaway victory that fans might be hoping for.

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Parris Campbell is still carrying a questionable designation, which negates a big-time playmaker for the offense. J.K. Dobbins had a pretty solid game considering the amount of time he spent on the sideline, but Iowa middle linebacker Josey Jewell while be a thorn in Buckeyes' proverbial side all game.

Seriously, watch any Iowa highlight film of the defense and it's hard not to hear Jewell's name called at least six times a game. There's a reason he is in the top-10 in the nation for total tackles.

This is Ohio State's game to lose, but that will not be the case at the end of Saturday's game. You might have to sweat out a few tense moments, but there's no reason the Buckeyes do not eventually tire out one of the most physical and tough teams they will play all year. Ohio State 34 Iowa 18

Worried about this game. Maybe its scar tissue from watching our teams struggle in Iowa City before. Maybe its just a defense mechanism. But concerned about the game.

Iowa is one of those opponents that will just try and hang around--shorten the game--get it into the fourth quarter and try and steal it away. The good news is the Urban Meyer is well aware of the pitfalls of the big letdown after the emotional win.

But you are still dealing with young men under the age of 25--so no matter how much you want to avoid it--its always there.

Ohio State should be able to dictate what they want to on offense. The offense wasn't as far away as some people might have believed--and right now they feel like they can handle just about anything defensively that Iowa might throw at them. Expect Iowa to sit back in a shell and dare Ohio State to be patient moving the ball down the field. Avoid penalties. Avoid fumbles--and Ohio State should be able to do just that.

Defensively you are going to see Iowa run the ball---a lot. Need to be stout up front--and disciplined on the back and not give up the "unexpected" big shot.

Special teams will be interesting as Iowa will pull out all stops. Maybe an onside kick--a fake punt--a fake FG. They will leave nothing in the bag.

I've got Ohio State winning in a much too close affair. Ohio State 28 Iowa 21

Penn State week came and went, and the Buckeyes are still alive. They were on life support for most of the game, but J.T. Barrett and the defensive line wouldn't allow Ohio State to lose. The rally is one we will talk about for years, but now we will see what mentality this team has because at Iowa, after emptying their mental and physical tank, will be a challenge. Iowa isn't the most talented team in the world, but if Ohio State comes out and lays an absolute egg, this game could be close.

What do you say about J.T. Barrett? Best performance by a Buckeye QB in a big game? Maybe. It was awe-inspiring seeing Barrett lead the offense with precision. He is back in the Heisman hunt, and even though he isn't flashy, he is consistent and that is important in college football. Think he has another great day at Iowa as his doubters fade deeper and deeper into nonexistence. Let J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber run wild and lay the hammer early so this game is never in doubt.

Iowa has a talented running back in Akrum Wadley, but after seeing how Ohio State wreaked havoc on Saquon Barkley and his Heisman chances, there is supreme confidence in Ohio State's run defense. The continued growth of the defensive backs will be an important storyline as the Buckeyes head deep into November. Ohio State has advantages everywhere in this game, if they can keep their heads on straight, this shouldn't be all that tight of a game. Ohio State 38 Iowa 21

Iowa has a decent football team once every five or so years and 2017 is not one of those years. Expectations are low in the Hawkeye State when the people there think it’s a big deal when their team makes it to the Outback Bowl. Say what you will about Iowa... they’re playing at home on Saturday and their crowd will be into it. Our locker room will be pink and people there think that’ll intimidate us. It won’t.

The other reason why I’m not frightened by Iowa is they don’t know how to score points. ASSUMING MY TEAM WON’T ALLOW A KICKOFF RETURN FOR A TOUCHDOWN, our defense will be just fine. We will continue building off what we did the final quarter when we saddened Penn State.

Iowa is sound defensively and that should be a challenge to us... in the first half. I expect my team to start the game slowly... it’ll be close at the half but then my team will wear them out on both sides of the football. AS LONG AS WE CAN COVER KICKOFFS EFFECTIVELY, we’ll be fine and so will you. Ohio State 27 Iowa 13