Week 5 NCAA Football Preview

They’ve shown they can run a fast-break offense on any elite “D”, flying past the Texas Longhorns 24-7 on Sept. 9. They’ve shown they have a defense that can force turnovers when their offense goes M.I.A., proven by their two interceptions in the fourth quarter to close a 28-6 win over Penn State on Sept. 23.

So when the Bucks bring the Crimson and Grey to Kinnick Stadium, the 22 starters the No. 13 Iowa Hawkeyes boast on offense and defense won’t be their main problem. No, the main obstacle figures to be the 12th man, the Iowa fans.

"Texas was wine and cheese compared to what you're going to see,” ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit said on WBNS 1460-AM in Columbus, Ohio. “This is more about brats and beer and a lot of both. And by the time kickoff comes, it's going to be every time the Iowa special teams or defense comes close to stepping on the field, you will not be able to hear.”

Big Ten matchup plus “AP No. 1” target on your back equals hostile environment, and the Iowa fans plan on making it the wildest environment the Bucks have ever seen, heard, or felt. Iowa is an amazing 25-1 straight-up with Hawkeye home cooking, proving their amped crowd is like ether to any visitor.

“The crowd will really have an impact on the outcome,” Herbstreit explained. “Which means you have to be a lot better and you have to execute at a much higher level than your opponent to be able to go into that kind of environment and be able to deal with that momentum that's going to favor Iowa for four quarters."

Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, they weren’t exactly playing at a high level the last time they stepped foot in Kinnick. The Bucks were subject to a 33-7 blowout in 2004 at the hands of starting quarterback Drew Tate and the Hawkeyes, despite being 1-point favorites. Tate put up 331 yards passing and three touchdowns in the contest, while the entire Ohio State offense, led by Troy Smith, were held to 177 total yards.

"Realistically, if we play this game on a neutral field, Ohio State wins nine out of 10 based on talent," Herbstreit said on WBNS. "But we're not playing it on a neutral field, we're not in a bowl game, this is in Iowa City. Kinnick Stadium. ... This place is going to be electric."

The opening line of -7 for Ohio State says this may be another small step on the Bucks' eventual climb to national title glory, but make sure you check your watches, 'cause this could be Iowa’s time.

"It's a huge game for us, this state, for everything involved with this program," Tate, the Hawkeyes' quarterback, told reporters. "It's a huge game for them. They're No. 1 and they're trying to stay No. 1."

QUICK HITS

Receiver Calvin Johnson gets to prove his worth on a grand stage with his No. 24 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets facing the No. 11 Virginia Tech Hokies on ABC.

"Everybody is expecting [Virginia Tech] to be in the ACC Championship Game," Calvin Johnson said to the media. "It would be good for us to go up there and knock them off. Then we would be in the driver's seat."

Unfortunately for Tech, there will be nothing in their favor besides the All-American receiver. Georgia Tech is 0-2 against the spread against the Hokies and Virginia Tech is 12-2 SU at home in their last 14.

Everything is going well for the No. 5 Gators as the solid play of quarterback and Heisman hopeful Chris Leak has led them to a perfect start. Leak leads the SEC in passer rating (173.8) and total offense (257.8 yards). But their unblemished mark could fall apart against the Crimson Tide, who destroyed Florida 31-3 in 2005 despite being a 3-point underdog.

"This is a big game against Alabama," Leak told reporters. "We are really excited about this game. I just want to go in there and do my best to get a victory. It's always important to have a big win in the SEC. It's just another step in getting closer and closer to our main goal."

PHOTO: Iowa quarterback Drew Tate's outstanding play at home has led the Hawkeyes to a 25-1 record when at Kinnick Stadium. (AP Photo)

Note: All NCAA football lines subject to change.

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