ESPN writer claims Ohio State's 28-point win over Iowa 'had to feel like a defeat'

Saturday's Ohio State-Iowa game was never in doubt as the Buckeyes dominated the Hawkeyes 35-7, but according to an ESPN writer, the stunning win “had to feel like a loss” for the undefeated Buckeyes.

The Buckeyes outgained the Hawkeyes by 412 yards to 226 yards, forced three turnovers and controlled the clock, while quarterback Will Howard threw four touchdowns and just four incomplete passes in his team's win.

Sure, Ohio State may have only taken a 7-0 lead into halftime, but at the end of the day, a 28-point win is a dominant victory no matter how you look at it.

ESPN's David Hale doesn't see it that way. He didn't even question the Buckeyes' one-point lead at halftime, instead focusing on the fact that Iowa's only touchdown in the fourth quarter was the problem.

“(Ohio State) had little trouble defeating Iowa 35-7. “Still, it had to feel like a loss for the Buckeyes, who are the first team to allow points to Iowa’s offense since Michigan conceded two touchdowns in a win over the Hawkeyes in Week 5 of 2022,” Hale wrote.

Ohio State dominated Iowa, but perhaps not enough, according to an ESPN writer. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

It's interesting that Hale points out that Iowa is finally scoring against a ranked team for the first time in two years, but his comment that it feels like a loss for Ohio State is outrageous.

Under any other circumstances and on any other website, we would interpret Hale's dig at the Buckeyes as sarcasm, but when was the last time the Four Letter Network incorporated a shred of sarcasm into some of its written content?

If it's sarcasm, Hale deserves kudos for sneaking past the editors, but if it's not, let it be the latest example of ESPN being completely out of touch with reality.