Ohio State vs. Iowa Buckeyes Wire staff predictions for CFB Week 5

We've got a fairly sizeable matchup Saturday in Iowa City as Ohio State visits for a top-15 contest. Ohio State's only loss is to No. 1 Texas, and Iowa is undefeated after upsetting Michigan last week in Ann Arbor. The two will clash among the cornfields of the Hawkeye State, with the winner still undefeated and on track in the Big Ten, and the loser with less room for error for the rest of the season.

Each week, we like to ask our writers to predict the outcome of that week's Ohio State game, and with this one being one that even College GameDay is on campus for, there's a little more buzz to get the prediciton machines going.

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So what do Phil, Mark, Sunny, and Alec have to say about who will win between Ohio State and Iowa? Do they all have the same outcome, or is someone going against the grain? Here's what all four writers believe will happen Saturday afternoon inside Kinnick Stadium.

Ohio State vs. Illinois, according to Phil Harrison, Lead Writer/Editor

It's so hard to go to Iowa and play your own game. The Hawkeyes do such a great job of mucking things up and making you play their type of contest with slow play, defense, field position, and special teams. But that's more at night than it is in the afternoon for some reason in Iowa City, and it's hard to see the Iowa defense being able to slow down the Buckeyes' passing game more often than not. It still will be a dogfight with Ohio State having to settle for field goals at times instead of touchdowns, but the good guys come out with a solid win on the road against a good defensive team.

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Score Prediction: Ohio State 26, Iowa 20

Ohio State vs. Illinois, according to Mark Russell, Featured Writer

Playing at Kinnick is never easy, and the crowd will be even more hyped with College GameDay in town. While the Iowa pass defense has been one of the best in the nation, they haven't faced the likes of the Ohio State passing attack. Iowa may be able to move the ball on the ground against a Buckeye front seven that is still trying to figure out an identity, but I don't think it will be enough. Ultimately, if Julian Sayin has time, he'll find Jeremiah Smith and others to move the ball.

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Score Prediction: Ohio State 31, Iowa 17

Ohio State vs. Illinois, according to Sunny Verma, Featured Writer

Iowa is coming off an energetic last-second victory over Michigan at home, and Iowa City is hosting ESPN Gameday, so you know the campus is buzzing. In reality, how good Michigan truly is still up in the air, and we will have a better idea by the end of the season how impressive that win actually was. Ohio State put up over 500 yards on the Illinois defense the previous week, and the Sayin-to-Smith connection rolls on.

Score Prediction: Ohio State 31, Iowa 13

Ohio State vs. Illinois, according to Alec Lasley, Featured Writer

Ohio State is looking to avenge a road loss to Texas earlier this year and go on the road for the second time and come away with a gritty win. Playing in Iowa City is never easy, and this is an Iowa team that has a lot of confidence coming off last week's win against Michigan on the last play of the game. There's a bit more offensive punch than usual, but it's the same hard-nosed defense. The line of scrimmage needs to be won on both sides of the ball by OSU. Last week was the first game it was able to establish the running game early, and I expect the same mindset this week. Iowa knows it can't stop Jeremiah Smith, but it does seem to have a good understanding of how it'll try to slow him down or adjust for him. This will be closer than people think, but I do believe the Buckeyes pull it out late.

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Score Prediction: Ohio State 27, Iowa 20

Phil Harrison | Ohio State 26, Iowa 20

Mark Russell | Ohio State 31, Iowa 17

Sunny Verma | Ohio State 31, Iowa 13

Alec Lasley | Ohio State 27, Iowa 20

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State vs. Iowa Buckeyes Wire staff predictions for CFB Week 5