As much as some people may not want to believe it, Ohio State (probably) and Wisconsin (definitely) are likely taking part in a play-in game for the College Football Playoffs tomorrow.
But the Big Ten Championship Game is about more than just making the playoffs. It’s also about — get this — winning a Big Ten Championship.
Crazy, I know.
So how do we here at The-Ozone see a matchup between Ohio State and Iowa On Steroids going?
I’m interested to find out myself.
Kyle Morgan
This game has a lot of parallels to last week’s matchup. Like Michigan, Wisconsin relies on great rushing defense, a passing game that leans heavily on tight ends and marginal quarterback play. Alex Hornibrook is described as an efficient, game manager-type quarterback but has also thrown 13 interceptions on the season. Michigan’s quarterbacks only threw eight interceptions collectively for comparison. Look for Wisconsin to control the clock by running the ball with Jonathan Taylor and attempting to limit the Ohio State offense by keeping them off the field. While Taylor is a threat, he is also susceptible to fumbling the ball, as he has lost four fumbles on the season thus far. There will be turnovers in this game, but the team that can convert them to points will be victorious.
The key for the Buckeyes lies in their ability to convert on third downs and to wear down the defensive front of the Badgers over the course of the game. This will be a slugfest, and the team that runs the ball the best will ultimately win this game. This game screams Malik Harrison and Tuf Borland to stop the run, but in the end, it will be an interception by Damon Webb to put the Buckeyes in a position to secure the victory.
Ohio State 24, Wisconsin 20
Caroline Rice
I think this game could really go either way. Part of me wants to believe that the Buckeyes can come out and completely dominate this game again, but then I remind myself that there will never be another game like the 2014 Big Ten Championship game. This game presents the perfect scenario for Wisconsin to get revenge on the Buckeyes. The Badgers are out to keep their undefeated record and it is a season-defining game for the college football playoff hopes for both the Buckeyes and the Badgers. Wisconsin is a talented and powerful team. The Buckeyes haven’t faced a team like this complete and successful on both sides of the ball. This Badger defense will really be a test for the Buckeyes, but I have a feeling Ohio State will be able to pull off a win.
Ohio State 24, Wisconsin 17
Shannon Sommers
This isn’t the 2014 59-0 Badgers, although there are so many similar similarities. Top running back, number one ranked defense, the J.T. Barrett situation, and much more. Badgers haven’t faced this strong of an offense, but honestly we don’t know how strong this offense is since they lack consistency.
Coming back from 10 down in Camp Randall last season is a key knowing they definitely can beat this Wisconsin team. Should be a great game and I am going with Buckeyes winning in a defensive matchup for the ages.
Ohio State 17, Wisconsin 14
Tony Gerdeman
I’ve gone back and forth on what my pick was going to be for this game. Initially, I was siding with Ohio State because of Wisconsin’s lack of explosion on offense. Then I saw Michigan run the ball on the Buckeye defense and move it pretty well at times. That put me back on the side of the Badgers.
Wisconsin has a much better running game than Michigan, and a much more consistent quarterback. Their defense also gets better in the second half, which is the complete opposite of what has happened with the Wolverine defense the last two weeks. Can the Buckeye offense wear out a Badger defense that hasn’t really been tested this year?
It’s that lack of being tested, however, that has me now back on the side of the Buckeyes. Wisconsin’s offense does things that gives Ohio State trouble, and OSU’s offense is a question mark right now with J.T. Barrett coming off of surgery. But the Badgers have played absolutely nobody this year, and they haven’t always looked great doing it. Ohio State will be by far the best team Wisconsin has seen to this point, and I expect the Buckeyes to display that superiority eventually.
Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 23
Chip Minnich
My concerns coming into this game are primarily when Wisconsin is on offense and Ohio State is on defense. Everyone knows Wisconsin is going to try to run the ball with Jonathan Taylor. Knowing it, and being able to effectively stop it, are not always the same thing. As I wrote in “Opponent Watch”, Ohio State needs to win the first down battle against Wisconsin or it may be a difficult night. Just like everyone else, I am wondering how Ohio State is going to effectively cover Wisconsin TE Troy Fumagalli. Will this be Denzel Ward’s assignment, as Ohio State’s linebackers may not be up to the challenge?
Legendary coach Vince Lombardi once stated that football is not a contact sport — it is a collision sport. Saturday night in Indianapolis will feature that, on both sides’ respective lines. Wisconsin is going to push Ohio State to the brink physically, and this one will come down to who has the ball last. It will be close, it will be nerve-wracking, and I see Ohio State pulling out a very close one.
Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 24
Mike Meihls
The 2017 Buckeyes have been the best team on the field every time they’ve played this season, but they have also been Jekyll and Hyde, and no one knows which team is coming out of the locker room.
On paper, OSU is light years ahead of Wisconsin. On the field, they sometimes look like they’re still in the locker room. Ohio State’s rushing attack even without JTB can beat Wisconsin’s defense. The question is “Can Ohio State’s linebackers stop Wisconsin’s all-world freshman running back?” I’ve never wanted to be more wrong but I don’t think they can.
Still, I’m taking Ohio State to make the College Football Playoffs
Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 21
Brandon Zimmerman
Who will start at QB for the Buckeyes? Will it be an injured JTB getting the opportunity to start his first and last B1G championship game? Or will it be Buckeye Nation’s future QB that people will call for his benching at some point over the next three years? Personally, I hope it is Barrett. Give him a series or two and then reevaluate how the knee is holding up. We don’t see very much blitzing from the Badgers defense but I think they will ramp it up if JTB starts. Forcing a sometimes inaccurate QB to move around and throw on his knee which just had a knife in it seems like an ideal plan.
Defensively, I think we will see a lot of Denzel Ward on Troy Fumagalli just like we did against Michigan State and their TE. If Quintez Cephus or Jazz Peavy were playing, it would be a much more difficult match-up. The incredibly deep DL rotation will come in handy to stop the Badger run game from wearing them down. While still not listed on the depth chart, I think we see a lot more of Michael Hill and his 300+ pound frame on Saturday than we’ve seen all year.
At the end of the day, Wisconsin has not played an offense this good and a defensive line this deep. It will show on Saturday night.
Ohio State 37, Wisconsin 13
Tom Orr
The last time Ohio State played Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game, I said the only thing that would shock me was a blowout win for the Buckeyes. That matchup ended up as a 59-0 OSU win, as you may recall. This Saturday probably won’t end at 59-0. Beyond that, I’m really not sure. Ohio State has personnel advantages in a lot of places, but Wisconsin presents some serious matchup issues for the Buckeyes.
This is not a good weekend for OSU linebackers to be playing undisciplined football. RB Jonathan Taylor is a home run hitter, and TE Troy Fumagalli is the kind of receiving threat that could keep the chains moving. Keep an eye on WR Danny Davis as well, a freshman from Springfield, Ohio who didn’t get an OSU offer and who seems destined to come back to haunt the Buckeyes at some point. Unlike a week ago, OSU can’t rely on the opposing QB to air-mail wide open receivers.
Oh, and J.T. Barrett had surgery on his knee this week. Urban Meyer said Barrett will be ready to play, but he hasn’t been practicing for most of the week, and there’s no way to know how close to 100% healthy he’ll be on Saturday.
There is absolutely a scenario where Alex Hornibrook throws a couple picks, the Buckeye offense comes out roaring, and OSU rolls. It’s also not hard to see Fumagalli running open in the middle of the field all night, Taylor breaking off a couple long runs, the Buckeyes starting off yet another game in an offensive rut, and OSU leaning a little too heavily on Barrett in the running game.
This time, the only thing that would shock me is if it turned into a shootout. So bet the over.
Wisconsin 24, Ohio State 17
“Pobabaly a play in game for the Buckeyes”…..LOL!!! Not a chance!
The main factor that everyone is overlooking is that Ohio State has played in big games this year, as well as in the past. Name one big game Wisconsin has played in this year or last? Penn State last year? Outcome…lost. Ohio State has the experience and the moments. Also…..anyone want to bet against Urban Meyer? I don’t because last time I did Florida kicked us to the curb. Ohio State 45 Wisconsin 14
The Buckeye QBs wont be able to handle Wis defensive pressure. I think our defense has been overated all year and i think the whole defense will be exposed especially the LBs. I hate to say it but I see a 38-14 win for the Badgers. One thing I would like to see is forget this stuff about how deep the defensive line is. Bosa has to play every play onless he says he needs a break.
Johnnie Dixon will have a career game tomorrow! The slow safeties of Wisc will not be able to cover him & Haskins will hit him in stride! Give the points.
As I have said before, you beat OSU by passing. If Wisconsin can be successful throwing the ball they will win. Their running game will then start to click. You can’t run against OSU if you can’t pass. OSU will be successful throwing the ball. Barrett & Haskins will have career days. OSU 46-Wisc. 3. We also make the playoffs. If by chance we lose, look no further then the defensive line!!!!
All but Tom Orr are delusional. No way OSU beats Wisconsin.
Tom could be delusional for other reasons. Speaking of delusional, would you like me to bring up your comment from earlier in the season that Army might beat Ohio State? 😉
27-24 bucks–i would not be shocked either way….if OSU gets out ahead 14-0 they could smoke Wisc forcing them to pass…if not, expect a long , tight grinding game…they need to play DISCPLIINED..LB’s , everyone in their lanes etc. and knock off the penalties…I think WIS is legit, but I also know that IF OSU is on, OSU will win this game…weather wont be a favtor and the speed advantage goes to OSU…they question is how effective is Barrett..or hampered…and will OSU show up with emotion ..or the lifeless versions we saw in the 2 losses….OK and IA just had more will and emotion and it showed…but when OSU plays ticked off—watch out….such a jeckyl and hyde team..lets hope the good one shows up tomorrow..the playoff IS still in the mix no matter what some might think….
A tale of 2 programs. One is a behemoth that just grinds forward, painfully consistent. They have overwhelmed opponents through attrition. They aren’t designed to pour points onto the board, just a steady boa constrictor squeezing until the opponent has nothing left to fight back with. Their players are solid across the board, but they aren’t superman type athletes. They simply stay on script and allow superior execution to eventually wear out the enemy. Wisconsin is the same as they have been since Barry Alvarez turned them into that boa. If it ain’t broke you just don’t fix it. You simply replace the parts that wear out with new parts and only make minor adjustments here and there. Consistent execution is their brand and it’s a damn good brand.
The Buckeyes are frenetic, although, wherever the up tempo vanished to up in Ann Arbor the staff needs to get it back. That tempo is the only thing that can help to offset the boa constrictor. If that defense isn’t worn down for the 4th quarter they will beat the Buckeyes. PERIOD!
IMHO the Buckeyes offensive staff never arrives at a stadium until sometime in the 2nd quarter. Not ever before then. The team because of that just flails away with head scratching offense that shows no semblance of continuity, rhyme OR reason. But once they wake up and realize that they’re in a football game good things tend to happen. Start slow against the Badgers and the Buckeyes will find themselves in a knock down drag out. I don’t believe that favors the Buckeyes AT ALL. This team is soft in execution and either hot or cold during every minute of the game. Wisconsin won’t change and will feed off of the Buckeyes inconsistencies. To stop that? Don’t play head scratching inconsistent football! That’s a severe challenge for the Buckeyes. Before they beat the Badgers, they will have to beat themselves.
This game means more to the team than it means to JT Barrett himself. He’s going to start the game, and he should BUT, he’s not going to play much. His fellow teammates are going to look to secure this win FOR JT. They want their names written along side a legacy that they are going to have to help make happen. I think they get it done. It’s not likely to be a 2014 repeat performance though. That was one of the most perfect storms in the history of College Football. This team has not matured in the same way that 2014 team did even though they are every bit as talented. Inconsistency will prevent that repeat performance, but they will still prevail in this one.
Ohio State 44
Wisconsin 17
This ought to be a showcase for Big Ten Football.
Good teams, good coaches, huge game.
On D, we have two jobs: stop the run, and stop Fumagalli.
On Offense, go for the deep ball, go for the big hit plays. I sincerely believe they will happen – 50+ yards plays, a couple running and a couple passing. Yes, there will be some plays where Dobbins is stopped for no gain or a 2 yard loss. But we’ll win the game on our Big Plays.
OSU 34, Wiscy 21
Wisconsin has been more consistent this year, so I can CLEARLY not choose Ohio State.
But Ohio State has had a FAR higher ceiling and even it’s lows weren’t THAT much lower than Wisconsin’s steady drip so I can CLEARLY not choose Wisconsin!
But J.T. Barrett is hurt so I can CLEARLY not choose Ohio State!
But Alex Hornibrook has thrown nearly double the INTs so I can CLEARLY not choose Wisconsin!
Iocaine comes from Australia, populated entirely by criminals…
Buckeyes 31
Badgers 28
Lol
Don’t know the extent of J.T.’s surgery, but I’ve had surgery done on a torn meniscus, and while it’s nothing like having a torn ligament, it’s still not something you want to have done the week before a big game.
I question how mobile J.T. will be if he plays, and wonder if Dwayne Haskins has it in him to pull a Cardale Jones on Wisconsin. Hope J.T. can move without much trouble and/or DH can fill in admirably. But frankly, I’m not all optimistic.
But hey, there are 21 other Buckeyes who will have a say in the outcome, too. So…GO BUCKS
One factor I don’t see mentioned is how OSU responds after a tough fourth quarter comeback win against a rival. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well the first time.
GO BUCKS!!!
THE Silver Bullets just may have their hands full Saturday going against a huge offensive line and one of the best running backs in the nation – Jonathan Taylor. Much of THE Ohio State defensive success is going to depend on THE linebacker play as I have the utmost confidence in THE front 4. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – THE Buckeye defensive front is the best in the nation. There may be some that might be as good, but nobody is better. OSU linebackers Tuf Borland, Chris Worley and Jerome Baker have to play well – if Baker starts to falter, I really hope we see Malik Harrison some in as this sophomore plays with very good intensity.
Taylor is averaging 7 yards per carry and over 150 yards per game – impressive numbers indeed. But other than *ichigan, the best defense he played against was Iowa where he had 29 carries for 157 yards – this freshman is a workhorse. Shutting Taylor down is imperative and I believe THE Silver Bullets will do it and keep him below 110 yards rushing keeping his average for the game under 4 yards per carry.
Don’t be surprised if Wisky tries to utilize the tight end crossing underneath after play-action as THE linebackers have struggled with this all season (it worked well for Oklahoma and Iowa). Badger QB Hornibrook is 2nd in the conference in pass efficiency (behing J.T. Barrett), but he has thrown 13 interceptions – with at least one in each conference game excpet Minnesota last week. I think THE Rushmen will get their pressure on the left handed Hornibrook and THE Silver Bullets will have at least 2 picks as a result. THE Buckeyes will also have at least 3 sacks in this game.
If THE Ohio State coaches let running backs Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins run the ball, it will quickly open up the verticle passing game. After the games against Sparty and Illinois, I was convinced Ohio State would start running the ball down the opponents throat – and then The Game happened and Weber and Dobbins weren’t given the keys until Barrett went down. I don’t see waiting that long against the Badgers and THE Buckeye running backs with H-Backs K.J. Hill and Parris Campbell (who I’m really not convinced is at full speed yet) will have a combined yardage of over 150 yards (keep in mind, the Wisconsin defense is only averaging 80.5 yards rushing per game).
With the success of the running game, Barrett will find his receivers down field. Binjimen Victor is due for a big game and both Johnnie Dixon and Terry McLaurin can light it up from anywhere on the field. I’m hoping to see tight end Marcus Baugh continue to get utilized as this man has great hands and enough speed to do damage. The Wisky defensive backs are very good but they haven’t played against talent like this.
Big 10 Offensive Lineman of the year center Billy Price and company will have to play well to give Barrett the time he needs. While the Badger D is only giving up 156.4 yards through the air, I see THE Buckeye offense racking up over 250 yards through the air.
Yes, your math is right. Bold prediction is over 400 yards total offense against a team that is only giving up just shy of 237 yards per game.
Ohio State has won the last 5 against Wisconsin and I’ve seen THE Ohio State Buckeyes play Bucky Badger twice in person without a loss. I’m not planning on either streak being broken Saturday night.
31-24!
GO BUCKS!!!
p.s.—-Go Horned Frogs!
OSU did not come back on MI in the fourth, they had a lead by the end of the fourth, and basically dominated the fourth quarter.