Ohio St. hopes for a fast start vs. Hawkeyes

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohio State fans love the eighth-ranked Buckeyes’ record, they’d just prefer to avoid late-game comebacks.

Despite finishing solid enough to win nine of their 10 games, the Buckeyes have been slow starters — particularly on the road.

The Buckeyes (9-1, 5-1) would like to reverse that trend at No. 21 Iowa (7-3, 4-2) on Saturday. Riding on the outcome is a possible Big Ten title and Bowl Championship Series postseason berth.

“We know we have to start fast this week or we’re going to have problems,” said center Mike Brewster.

It’s hard to imagine a team averaging 42 points a game — and winning by an average margin of 28 points — having so much trouble early in games. But it has been a nagging problem all season.

The Buckeyes have been tied or trailed early in all three of their previous road trips. Only against Wisconsin have the Buckeyes (9-1, 5-1) not survived a sluggish start.

Miami led 7-3 after a quarter before the Buckeyes piled up 33 points in the middle two periods of a 36-24 home win on Sept. 11.

When the Buckeyes hit the road for the first time on Oct. 2, Illinois scored on its first possession and hung tough with Ohio State before falling 24-13.

Ohio State lasted just a week in the No. 1 spot, falling behind 21-0 in the opening 17 minutes on the way to a 31-18 setback at Wisconsin on Oct. 16.

On Saturday, the Buckeyes trailed 14-3 and Penn State was knocking on the door again at the Ohio State 20-yard line before order was restored. The Buckeyes made a big fourth-down stop, and then ran off the game’s final 35 points for a 38-14 win.

Wide receiver DeVier Posey doesn’t think the problem lies in the Buckeyes not being ready to play.

“I know before the [Penn State] game, guys seemed like they were fired up, ready to go,” he said. “I don’t really know how to avoid it, I don’t have a formula for it. I don’t know — maybe we play better fighting uphill.”

This much is certain: Iowa has victimized good teams who stumbled at the start.

“Just turn on the Iowa-Michigan State game,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. “Michigan State’s a good team. But they have three picks, one goes to the house and one way down there. All of a sudden, it’s 30-0.”