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.

No. 3 Ohio State entered as a massive favorite against Iowa and showed exactly why in the second half, sprinting away from the Hawkeyes for a 35-7 win at Ohio Stadium. A seven-point halftime deficit is all Iowa can take solace in after the floodgates opened in a turnover-heavy third quarter.