Iowa Hawkeyes 2022 schedule breakdown: Ohio State

This is the big one. There might be more important games later in the season against conference rivals Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Nebraska, but no team on Iowa’s schedule is more talented than this Buckeyes squad. To be fair, you can say the same for pretty much any team preparing for a dance with Ohio State this year.

For the Hawkeyes, this is easily their toughest stretch of the season. While they shouldn’t overlook Rutgers, the schedule really ramps up midway through with appearances from the Big Ten’s elite.

A three-week stretch that includes Michigan in an emotionally Big Ten championship game rematch, and a trip to Ohio State would be noteworthy for any team in the country. The Hawkeyes also have to worry about pesky Illinois sandwiched between those two behemoths as well. We will all know after this gauntlet just how much of a contender Iowa plans on being in 2022.

Rose Bowl champions in 2021, Ohio State returns a ton of talent, including possibly the best player in the nation at a few positions. It is national championship or bust for Ryan Day’s squad. They might not be in the same recruiting neighborhood or have the same national attention, but Iowa will be an extremely tough test for the Buckeyes with their strong defense.

Iowa isn’t the only team with something to prove this year. Ohio State once again looks to have a national championship-winning offense on paper, but don’t forget they lost some talent. Wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson were both 2022 NFL draft first-round picks and tight end Jeremey Ruckert was a third-rounder. The Buckeyes also lost two talented offensive linemen to the NFL in Nicholas Petit-Frere and Thayer Munford. Here are the names to watch for a bit of a new-look Buckeyes.

C.J. Stroud, Quarterback

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Any conversation about this Ohio State team has to start with quarterback C.J. Stroud. Easily the best quarterback in the conference, there is a strong argument that Stroud is the best passer in the nation.

He certainly is in the running for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Stroud was sensational in his sophomore season despite some rookie growing pains early on, throwing for 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns to contrast with only six interceptions. He really found his game as the season went on and can make throws in the tightest of windows. He will test a very sturdy Iowa defense.

TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back

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Ohio State having a great back is just a given at this point. The list of running backs in the scarlet and grey read off like a list of future NFL players. Carlos Hyde, Ezekiel Elliot, Mike Weber, J.K Dobbins, Trey Sermon, and now TreVeyon Henderson.

Henderson was one of the nation’s best as a freshman, scoring 19 total touchdowns and amassing 1,560 yards from scrimmage. A speedy back, Henderson’s only going to get better over the next two years with experience.

The wide receivers

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Which wide receiver? ALL OF THEM. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is easily the name to watch of course. After a 1,606-yard, nine touchdown season, he might just be the best receiver in the nation (sensing a theme here on this offense?). The sophomore outshined two first-round receivers.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is the other pass-catcher to keep an eye on. Son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Harrison Jr. has a ton of buzz entering his redshirt sophomore season. He scored three times last year with his 11 catches. He’s bigger than his dad ever was and is super explosive. Don’t be surprised if Ohio State has at least two more first-round receivers on the roster.

Paris Johnson, Offensive Tackle

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Paris Johnson is someone I’ve heard a ton about in the draft media. He looks to be one of the top tackles in the 2023 NFL draft. He will be making a big adjustment from right guard to left tackle, but he has the size and athleticism to be an elite tackle. He will bookend the Buckeyes’ line with massive 6-foot-8, 360 pound right tackle Dawand Jones.

Zach Harrison, EDGE Rusher

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Zach Harrison has seemingly been in Columbus forever, even though it is just his senior year. A three-year starter, Harrison’s impact goes far beyond the stat sheet. While the sack numbers aren’t quite as good as you’d expect, he is plenty efficient as a pass rusher and is extremely disruptive. Harrison is also a force in the run game as well. Harrison will be a big test for an Iowa offensive line looking to leave their growing pains in 2021.

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Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire