The Ohio State Buckeyes enter their Week 6 matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes with the best scoring defense in the nation, but head coach Ryan Day doesn't want the attention on his team. Instead, during his weekly press conference, Day offered huge compliments to the Hawkeyes coaching staff. 

That includes head coach Kirk Ferentz and defensive coordinator Phil Parker. According to Day, Iowa has "the best-coached defense that we’ll face all season long.” He noted that Iowa doesn't give up big plays easily, and they'll fight to earn every yard.

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Day praised Ferentz, who is in his 26th season with the Hawkeyes, and Parker, who is in his 13th year with the program, for their diligence. Even Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly joined in on the praise, saying you can go back a decade and struggle to find anything that consistently works against the Hawkeyes.

So, how does Ohio State plan to attack a defense ranking 15th in points and 18th in yards allowed? Day proposed that they won't be able to out-scheme the Hawkeyes but rather play hard and consistently show effort.

“Saying we’re going to out scheme Iowa – that’s not going to happen. We have to play hard,” said Day. 

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In the second half, Iowa, coming off a home loss to Iowa State, surrendered all 20 points against their rival last week. The Buckeyes have dramatically more talent than the Cyclones, so it's notable how much success the latter team had passing the ball. While Iowa effectively stuffed the run game, they couldn't slow Iowa State's two future NFL pass-catchers.

Quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 272 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Receivers Jaylin Noel (five catches, 133 yards, one touchdown), and Jayden Higgins (eight receptions, 68 yards, one touchdown) also starred. The Cyclones totaled only 89 yards on 28 carries.

Comparing the two offenses is difficult. Obviously, the Buckeyes are faster, more powerful, and have an elite playcaller in Chip Kelly. 

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That doesn't mean Ohio State can take Iowa lightly, though. The Hawkeyes will be sharp with execution and do everything possible to make the Buckeyes sweat. But ultimately, barring a barrage of turnovers, the Buckeyes' "effort" (AKA, just being more athletically gifted will prevail.

So why would Day offer this praise now? The Buckeyes are entering a hellish slate over the next month, so this was a jab at Oregon, Penn State, and of course, Michigan. He's not wrong that Iowa will execute as well as any of them, but it's laughable to say they're better than Penn State and Michigan.

This is classing politicking, and I love that Day set the stage for his Buckeyes to walk out of Ohio Stadium with a comfortable win that reflects well on his offense.