Ohio State vs. Iowa Odds, Pick & Point Spread: November 14th 2009

Control of their own destiny in the race for the Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl berth are in the balance as the Ohio State Buckeyes host the Iowa Hawkeyes in Columbus.

It was a monster win in a huge game for the Buckeyes as they went into Happy Valley and knocked off Penn State in convincing fashion. Ohio State dominated the Nittany Lions and never gave them a chance to get into the game as their defense shout down the Penn State offense and their offense took over in the second half. It was not only the biggest win of young Terrelle Pryor’s career but it was redemption for him as many were already writing him off as a disappointment and a bust. Can Pryor put together two big wins in a row will be the next big question he will need to answer. Though Pryor’s numbers were unspectacular, they were more than good enough as two of his eight completions went for touchdowns and he didn’t make a turnover. The defense allowed PSU to gain just over 200 total yards in the entire game. It will take another big effort from Pryor and the entire Buckeye team if they want to keep the momentum going.

Iowa lost for the first time last week and while it was an upset given the way Iowa had been playing and winning up until that point, I don’t think anyone can call Iowa’s season disappointing. The Hawkeyes QB Ricky Stanzi went down in the game and there was no miracle comeback. If there is a silver lining, it’s that Iowa’s winning ways have been a product of their defense and they remain in tact for this one. Though James Vanderberg is no Stanzi, at least he will get a full week of practice with the first unit and that should be a pretty big help to him and the entire unit as opposed to just being thrown into action as he was unexpectedly a week ago.

Ohio State has covered five in a row at home and seven in a row against a team with a winning record. Iowa is 10-1 against the spread in their last 11 road games and 9-2 against the spread when playing teams with a winning record.
This is just way too many points in a game Iowa can win outright.