Ohio State coach Ryan Day says Iowa represents a step up in competition for the third ranked Buckeyes. Ohio State is 4-0 and opened Big Ten play with a 38-7 win at Michigan State.

Day says Iowa will offer their biggest physical challenge to this point.

The Iowa defense is giving up a little more than 62 yards on the ground per game and Day says it starts up front.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Hawkeyes will need a big effort at Ohio State just to have a chance. The third ranked Buckeyes are a better than three touchdown favorite, and two years ago pummeled the Hawkeyes 54-10 in Columbus.

The Iowa defense will have its hands full against a talented Ohio State offense that is averaging nearly 49 points per game.

Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard directs the Buckeye offense.

A Ferentz coached Iowa team has never won at Ohio State and the Hawkeyes last victory in Columbus was back in 1991.

The spotlight is getting brighter on Iowa State each week. The 16th ranked Cyclones are 4-0 for the first time since 2000 and appearing in the early playoff projections. They host Baylor under the lights and with a win will be 5-0 for the first time since 1980.

That’s ISU coach Matt Campbell who says the Cyclones can’t change what got them to this point.

Special seasons are about consistency and Campbell says there is a long ways to go.

Campbell says the Cyclones are still working to build an identity but it is more about playing the game the right way.

Iowa State’s defense ranks fourth in the country in giving up just over seven points per game and Campbell says the leadership of safety Beau Freyler and defensive lineman JR Singleton has been a big part of their success.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior guard Sydney Affolter underwent a surgical scope of her knee at the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center. Affolter will be ready to return to action in early November.

“This is an unfortunate setback for Sydney, but she will work hard during her rehab and is expected to make a full recovery,” said P. Sue Beckwith, MD, head women’s basketball coach Jan Jensen. “She has the support of her teammates and coaches, and we look forward to having a healthy Sydney back when she is given clearance from our medical staff.”

Last season, Affolter stepped in for Molly Davis when she missed time during Iowa’s second consecutive National Championship run. She was named to the Big Ten’s All-Tournament Team and Albany 2 All-Regional Team. Affolter averaged 8.4 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game in 2023-24. She closed the season playing some her best basketball as a Hawkeye, notching a double-double and reaching double figures in seven out of the last nine games.