It was revealing when defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said last week that he had “activated” Downs, the All-America safety who transferred to Ohio State from Alabama in January. Since the start of Big Ten play, Knowles has dialed up more blitzes featuring Downs, whose range makes a difference in disguising potential pressure.

Ohio State football will kick off against the Iowa Hawkeyes at 3:30 p.m. today in Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes are expected to win by approximately three touchdowns, but the Iowa rushing attack is aiming to slow the game and make things difficult for the Ohio State defense,

No. 3 Ohio State used a monster second half from receiver Jeremiah Smith to pull away for a 35-7 victory against Iowa. On the first drive of the second half, Smith reeled in a 53-yard reception in the red zone to set up a one-on-one end zone fade,