| Wisconsin's stunning defeat last weekend took a little bit of shine off this one. It's still the Big Ten Game of the Week, but it appears we still have to wait for Ohio State-Penn State for the Big Ten Game of the Year. Barry's program didn't truly arrive until 1993, but the seeds were planted in 1992 when he sent his first warning shot, by upsetting #12 Ohio State 20-16 in the Big Ten opener. That kicked off a 12 year run where Wisconsin went 5-5-1 against the Buckeyes, including winning 4 of the final 6. Since 2005? Wisconsin has won just 1 of 10, and even against the spread, the Badgers are only 2-8. So can Wisconsin counter that? Ohio State's defense has done a 180 from their dismal performance last year. But they are doing it, flying it all over the field. The only team that tried to line up and punch them in the mouth was Michigan State, and they lacked the personnel to do it. Wisconsin doesn't lack the personnel. Wisconsin would prefer to play this game in a phone booth, because nobody in the conference can out-athlete Ohio State, but Wisconsin is one of the few that might equal them in muscle. As I addressed above, in the Illinois preview, is that you wonder if the Illini found the cheat code to the Wisconsin defense, or if that was just a fluke. Wisconsin didn't let Illinois sustain any offensive rhythm. Illinois was able to beat them with a few big plays. Big plays you want? Ohio State is 5th nationally in yards per play, and leads the nation in run plays of 40+ yards, 50+ yards and 60+ yards. That's why in four Big Ten games, they've only averaged 13 third downs faced per game. But hey, if by chance you get them there...they are leading the nation in third down conversion rate. For Wisconsin they need to sustain drives, wear down the defense. Get it into 3rd and manageable, then crush your spirit by picking it up on the ground, and resetting the downs. Against Michigan State two weeks ago, the Badgers faced 13 3rd downs, and extended the drive 8 times, but last week, from the point Wisconsin scored their final touchdown to go up 20-7, the Badgers threw the ball on 5 of 6 3rd downs, including the interception. If Ohio State gets up early, that when things start to snowball, because you have to open up, and you play right into Ohio State's strength. The Buckeyes have outscored opponents 231-31 in first halves, and then just rolled from there. Only against Michigan State has a team even been within one score of the Buckeyes beyond early in the second quarter, within 17-10, unto a J.K. Dobbins run extended the lead to 24-10 with 2:24 left in the half. |
