BIG TEN Iowa set to greet slumping Buckeyes

The Hawkeyes didn't play last weekend, but their injury list is mounting.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Tuning into a college football game last Saturday, Iowa linebacker Chad Greenway found himself on the verge of rooting for the Hawkeyes' next opponent.
Wisconsin was playing Ohio State and the Badgers won 24-13, handing the Buckeyes' their second straight loss. Ohio State plays at Iowa on Saturday and Greenway expects to see an angry, determined team.
"Watching the game last weekend, I almost wanted them to win so that they hadn't lost two coming in here," Greenway said Tuesday. "If you get a team that has lost two games in a row, they're fighting for their lives essentially. It's tough getting a team coming off two losses."
Then again, it's not like the 25th-ranked Buckeyes (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) will be storming into Kinnick Stadium on a roll. They lost to Northwestern the week before and they're last in the Big Ten in total offense.
"They're down. Their confidence is hurt a little bit," Greenway said. "So it may not be a bad time to get them."
Iowa's injury list grows
Iowa (3-2, 1-1) should be well rested, if not completely healthy. The Hawkeyes were off last weekend, but their injury list keeps growing.
Coach Kirk Ferentz said tight end Mike Follett had back surgery on Monday and will be out for the rest of the season, while defensive back Jonathan Zanders is finished for the year after breaking his collarbone.
Wide receiver Calvin Davis, safety Sean Considine and linebacker Mike Humpal are doubtful for Saturday because of injuries.
The backfield will have a new look because of injuries. Nebraska transfer Marques Simmons will make his first start at running back after Jermelle Lewis was lost with a torn ACL. Sam Brownlee and freshman Damian Sims will back up Simmons.
Has to use Sims
Ferentz had planned to red-shirt Sims but said he can't afford to now.
"We're playing every game to win," Ferentz said. "To go into a game without at least three running backs, especially around here, that would be a silly thing to do. We're going to plan on playing him. He's in the program right now."
Ferentz said he thinks Sims has the temperament to handle playing his first game against such a marquee opponent. At least he hope that's the case.
"Check with me Saturday afternoon. I might have a little better idea how he responds to this thing," Ferentz said. "In fact, I'll have a real good idea. He probably will, too."
Ferentz chalks up Ohio State's struggles to inexperience. He said he doesn't see any drop-off in talent. It's just young talent.
"They lost two games. I don't know if you can say that's a trend yet," Ferentz said. "There's a lot of football left and I wouldn't be surprised if they were standing right there near the top, if not at the top, when it's all said and done.
"A team can have two losses and be at the top this year. I wouldn't write their obituary yet. They've got some talent, there's no question about that."