“Everyone has his superstitions. One of mine has always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, never to turn back or to stop until the thing intended was accomplished.” ~ Ulysses S. Grant
On November 28, 2011, newly-hired Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer announced to the assembled media members that “Our goal is to compete and win Big Ten championships.”
Ever since that hiring, Ohio State has had the opportunity to compete and win Big Ten championships twice, with the last outright Big Ten championship coming in 2014.
And just like in 2014, the opponent standing in Ohio State’s way this year is the Wisconsin Badgers.
Ohio State fans happily remember the 59-0 domination inflicted upon Wisconsin in that B1G Championship Game.
I have not forgotten that game, but I also have not forgotten three other games against Wisconsin that have taken place during Coach Meyer’s tenure:
2012 Ohio State 21, Wisconsin 14 in overtime
2013 Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 24
2016 Ohio State 30, Wisconsin 23 in overtime
Each a victory by Ohio State, but none of them by more than a touchdown. Two of those games went into overtime before Ohio State secured the victory.
This is the kind of game that Ohio State fans may want to anticipate on Saturday night in Indianapolis, as opposed to the 2014 blowout win that the Buckeyes achieved.
Below are three key areas I will be focusing upon when The B1G Championship kicks off at 8pm on FOX…
Wisconsin’s Play-Action Passing Game Against Ohio State’s Secondary – Badgers tight end Troy Fumagalli is leading Wisconsin in receptions with 38, averaging 12.4 yards per catch. Every Ohio State fan is keenly aware of the defensive struggles with covering tight ends, most prominently displayed during the losses to Oklahoma and Iowa. Wisconsin will look to exploit the Buckeyes’ challenges in this area, and it will bear watching to see what type of coverage schemes Ohio State uses to stop Fumagalli. The play-action aspect will be possible, based upon…
Wisconsin’s Success On First Down – Wisconsin has their traditional massive offensive line, featuring sophomore left guard Jon Dietzen (6’6″, 336 lbs.), redshirt freshman center Tyler Biadasz (6’3″, 316 lbs.), and right guard Beau Benzschawel (6’6″, 317 lbs.), going up against a talented and deep Ohio State defensive line. For Ohio State to win this game, Wisconsin cannot win first down when the Badgers are on offense. Winning first down, in my estimation, is keeping the Badgers to gains of two or three yards. If Wisconsin is able to run Jonathan Taylor on first down, and wind up with 2nd and 4 or 2nd and 3, Ohio State could be in trouble. Wisconsin is the best team in the B1G at time of possession, averaging 35:14 minutes per game.
Wisconsin’s Secondary Against Ohio State’s Receivers – Somewhat overlooked in the Badgers’ success this season, Wisconsin is ranked tops in the B1G in pass defense efficiency, only allowing 156.4 yards per game. With an Ohio State passing game that may or may not have J.T. Barrett operating at full strength, how much will Wisconsin gamble with their secondary? Can they play man coverage and rely on the stout Badgers front seven that has helped the team defense tie Michigan for the B1G lead in quarterback sacks with 39?