Buckeyes have big edge heading into Big Ten showdown

Nov. 10, 2009 / By Danny Sheridan

We've got a big, Big Ten conference showdown coming up this weekend, as the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes and No. 11 Ohio State Buckeyes (what's with all the eyes?) clash on Saturday at The Horseshoe (3:30 pm ET, ABC).

This is a huge matchup for a couple of reasons.

Even though there are still a few weeks left in the NCAA College Football season, for all intents and purposes this Saturday's showdown will give the winner control of the Big Ten conference race.

The game will also show what the Hawkeyes are really made of, after suffering their first loss of the season last weekend. The Hawkeyes (9-1, 5-1) fell 17-10 at home to the Northwestern Wildcats.

And the Hawkeyes suffered more than their first loss of the campaign. They also lost quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who was knocked out of the game with an ankle injury.

Adding to the challenge Iowa faces this weekend, the Buckeyes (8-2, 5-1) are coming off a big upset win over the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Buckeyes went into Penn State and dominated the Nittany Lions 24-7.

Ohio State put on a ground-game clinic, racking up 228 yards in total rushing yards.

Quarterback Terrelle Pyror was 8-of-17 for 125 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 50 yards and a score on the ground.

As well, the Buckeyes' D illustrated why its ranked 6^th in all of College Football, holding Penn State to 201 yards.

So, Iowa faces a tall order this Saturday, and the odds reflect that: Sportsbook.com NCAAF Odds have the Buckeyes as big favorites – 17-point favorites, to be exact.

There's also history on the Buckeyes' side: Ohio State is 9-1 SU in the past 10 meetings at The Horseshoe.

Iowa could be in for a long day.