The Buckeyes started slow early on, and only led Iowa 7-0 at halftime. They were all out of sorts. They looked flat, uninspired, and emotionless. Like they were going through the motions. They also lost a fumble and interception. They were sleepwalking.

When a team kicks it into gear, you often wish you could be a fly on the locker room wall at halftime. I would've loved to have heard what Ryan Day said to the Buckeyes at halftime. When they came out of the locker room for the second half, it was like they were an entirely different team. They looked every bit like a true National Championship contender.

How'd they look like the #3 team in the country? Let's take a look at the Keys to Victory and find out!

Complete Defensive Masterclass!

The only thing that went wrong for the Silver Bullets all day, was a late, garbage time touchdown when the game was already well in hand.

But other than that, I loved what I saw. They weren't sitting back. They were in attack mode all day long. Ohio State's defense sometimes has a bad habit of just playing soft coverage too often. And they don't get after the quarterback often enough.

But the Buckeyes made life miserable for Hawkeye signal-caller Cade McNamara. On the day, Ohio State held him to just 14-20 for 98 yards and an interception. And when you take away effective quarterback play from an opponent, not much else will go right the rest of the day.

As for the running game, the Buckeyes stifled Iowa. They held the Hawkeyes to just 65 yards on 26 carries (2.5 yards per carry).

This really allowed the Silver Bullets to do whatever they wanted. They rallied to the football, played swarming defense, and just played with an edge. It's something I've wanted to see from them for a LONG time, but it doesn't often show up. It showed up today. In SPADES!

Running With Attitude!

Everyone knows Ohio State has plenty of weapons at wide receiver and a cannon-armed quarterback.

I honestly think the running backs get overshadowed more than they should. But they deserve their time in the spotlight after today. The led the charge for a fired up Buckeye offensive unit coming out of the locker room in the second half!

On the day, Ohio State ran the ball 39 times for 203 yards, which comes out to 5.2 yards per carry. Stout!

The running game also did something to Iowa that no other team had been able to do all year: Simply score a rushing touchdown. The Hawkeye defense had yet to give up a rushing touchdown all season...until today. And to Will Howard to boot!

When the Hawkeyes had the Buckeyes on the verge of stalling out on a drive, Howard simply took the ball himself, ran an end-around, and walked right into the endzone. I just hope Coach Day lets him run when the chance is there. Especially in these bigger games late in the season. If Howard does run, that'll make an already deadly Buckeye offense even more dangerous.

But the most visible, and dangerous part of the offense balled out today!

Aerial Assault!

You know Ohio State is loaded at wideout when Jeremiah Smith isn't the headliner for this part of the game, even though he did make a jaw-dropping, one-handed touchdown catch that would've made OBJ blush!

But the Buckeye passing game was firing on all cylinders today coming out of the locker room!

Minus one bad pass, Will Howard was extremely efficient, going 21-25 for 209 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.

Even though Jeremiah Smith led the way in terms of yards, senior wideout Emeka Egbuka stepped up. Big time!

Egbuka made several athletic catches as part of a three-touchdown day. But the scary part for any opposing defensive coordinator is when both Egbuka and Smith are going off in the same game. I feel bad for the poor Iowa DC. The man probably tossed and turned trying to sleep in his hotel room last night!

But one team I don't feel bad for, is who the Buckeyes have up next on the schedule...

What's Next?

Ohio State travels to Eugene, Oregon next weekend to take on the Oregon Ducks. Ohio State will likely check in at no lower than #2 after Vanderbilt's stunning upset of Alabama, and Oregon will likely jump into the Top 5. I don't see any reason this should be a HUGE Top 5 battle. The College GameDay crew needs to make the trip out there!

But until then, the Buckeyes continue rolling along at 5-0 on the season after a nice win over a solid Iowa team!

GO BUCKS

Statistical Leaders

Will Howard: 21-25, 209 yards, 4 TDs, INT

Quinshon Judkins: 13 carries, 78 yards

Jeremiah Smith: 4 catches, 89 yards, TD

Sources

ESPN

cbssports.com

Picture Credit

ESPN