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’s offense got off to a slow start against Iowa but all it needed was one explosive quarter to win 35-7. The Buckeyes went into halftime holding only a 7-0 lead thanks to a few self-inflicted mistakes.