Can #10 Iowa 'Just Do It' today in the Horseshoe vs. #11 Ohio State?

ESPN's College Game Day, the National media, the NFL on Fox, the Buckeye nation ...

They will all say 'no'.

#10 Iowa at #11 Ohio State in the Horseshoe on ABC/ESPN at 2:30 pm CT.

Who would have believed it at the beginning of the season? Where's Penn State or Michigan State in the Big Ten Conference title race?

Of course, Michigan State and Northwestern don't face the Buckeyes in 2009.

Iowa certainly has been tested all season and enters the game 9-1, 5-1 in the Big Ten. This is not a Ohio State coach Jim Tressel's BCS title bound or contending type team. They lost at home to a 2-loss USC team, lead by a true frosh. They were taken down on the road early in the Big Ten at Purdue, who is coached by a first year head coach.

Iowa has a huge test today. They don't get to take it at full strength. They debut a redshirt freshman at quarterback in his first start. It's truly a David vs. Goliath game for Iowa at Ohio State.

Just Do It Iowa!

Pick: Iowa 18, Ohio State 13

If true, the Hawkeyes, not the Buckeyes will be heading to the Rose Bowl this season.

peace

What the AP has to say about this week's game:

No. 15 Iowa (9-1) at No. 10 Ohio State (8-2), 3:30 p.m.
(ABC)

Line: Ohio State by 14.

Series Record: Ohio State leads 44-14-3.

Last Meeting: 2006, Ohio State, 38-17.

What's at Stake

Pretty simple, really: The Big Ten's automatic Bowl Championship
Series berth in the Rose Bowl. The winner will also be assured of at least a
share of the conference title with a one-game lead with one game left (Iowa
hosts Minnesota, Ohio State is at Michigan). Both teams are coming off emotional
games, the Buckeyes winning 24-7 at Penn State and the Hawkeyes falling for the
first time this season at home against Northwestern, 17-10.

Key Matchup

Iowa QB James Vandenberg vs Ohio State's defensive line. All
season long, DTs Doug Worthington and Todd Denlinger and DEs Thaddeus Gibson and
Cameron Heyward have applied heat. With Vandenberg making his first career start
in relief of injured Ricky Stanzi (ankle), those four will try to harass
Vandenberg. How the youngster — and his line and offensive coaches — handle it
will determine the outcome.

Players to watch

Iowa: DEs Adrian Clayborn and Broderick Binns can pen in Ohio
State QB Terrelle Pryor if they keep him off the edge. MLB Pat Angerer will
likely have a few collisions with Pryor too. RB Brandon Wegher must consistently
gain yards to wear down Buckeyes defense and keep ball away from the offense. TE
Tony Moeaki and WR Derrell Johnson-Kouliano need to keep defense honest to keep
pressure off Vandenberg.

Ohio State: Pryor is coming off a homecoming at Penn State that
was a huge success. No room for a letdown here. K Devin Barclay hasn't faced a
must-make FG since taking over for the injured Aaron Pettrey (knee). Can RBs Dan
Herron and Brandon Saine run against Iowa's stout defense?

Facts & Figures

Ohio State has won 10 of the last 11 meetings by an average
score of 34-17. ... Iowa has won four games by three or fewer points for the
first time in program history. ... Don't expect much scoring: Only a reviewed
(and still debated) Penn State rushing touchdown last week prevented the
Buckeyes from their fourth shutout of the year. Seven of Iowa's opponents have
scored 17 or fewer points. ... Iowa won 13 straight games before last week's
loss, its longest since a 20-game streak from 1920-1923. ... The Buckeyes can
clinch a share of their fifth straight Big Ten title, a feat accomplished only
twice before. Ohio State won six in a row (1972-77) and Michigan five
consecutive (1988-92). ... The Hawkeyes have won their last six road
games.