Ryan Day previews Ohio State's Big Ten game against Iowa

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After No. 3 Ohio State passed its first road test, it returns Saturday to Ohio Stadium, putting a 4-0 record on the line against unranked Iowa.

The Buckeyes will face a rested Hawkeyes team coming off a bye week after defeating Michigan State 38-7. Quarterback Will Howard accounted for three touchdowns, and freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith dazzled with two one-handed catches while finding the end zone twice.

The Hawkeyes are 3-1, with wins over Illinois State, Troy and Minnesota. Their loss came to Iowa State on Sept. 7, 20-19. Head coach Ryan Day said that Iowa will be a "huge challenge", especially on defense.

"When you play against a defense like this, you better line up and know what you're doing," Day said. "It's going to come down to our guys winning our one on one battles and executing at a high level."

Iowa has forced seven turnovers in four games, including five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The Hawkeyes rushing defense has allowed fewer than 100 yards in each of the first four games, signaling a challenge to the Buckeyes' strong ground game led by Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson.

"It doesn't matter what year you watch them, it's the same guys inside. They play with great technique. They're well coached," Day said. "You just look year-after-year, it's similar in terms of the statistics and production."

Ohio State hopes quarterback Will Howard can be the key to getting past Iowa's defense. Despite throwing an interception in each of the last two games, Howard has made accurate throws, completing 68.6 percent of his passes so far this season. Through four games, he's passed for 1,039 yards and eight touchdowns. Against Michigan State, Howard completed contested throws to Gee Scott, Jr. and Emeka Egbuka for touchdowns.

"For us to see him do it here, for us, it's different," Day said. "Those are all challenging plays where you got to stay in the pocket and make those throws. Good to see him make those and build some confidence on that."

Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly joked that he'd like to see Howard complete every pass.

"Jared Goff did it last night," Kelly said. "I'm pleased with where Will is right now but that doesn't mean he's arrived. I don't think you ever arrive in this game. I think every day you got to try to be just a little bit better than the day before. That's what I love about Will though. That's where his mindset is."

Kickoff against Iowa is set for 3:30 p.m. Next week is a game against No. 6 Oregon that will be carried live on NBC4.