Wisconsin @ Ohio State

Here is a news flash for those of you who counted Ohio State as dead and buried after an 0-2 start to their Big Ten season. Please note, their two losses were to Michigan State and Nebraska, both of these teams are in the Legend side of the conference and thus their records and head to head tie breakers will not apply directly to OSU’s situation in the Leaders race. If Ohio State were to win out, the only team that could still be in front of them would be Penn State. PSU is currently undefeated in conference play, however, they play Nebraska, Ohio State, & Wisconsin on consecutive weekends to end the season. To make a bad situation worse, the Nittany Lions will lace ’em’ up against the Buckeyes & Badgers in Columbus and Madison respectively. It is unlikely that Penn State will march through this part of their schedule unscathed.

OSU’s season is on the line tonight, a loss to the Badgers and they will have only a mathematical possibility at the division crown, as it is extremely unlikely that Penn State and Wisconsin would both have three losses. The same is true for the Badgers, if they win @ the Horseshoe, they control their own flight to the top of the Leaders Board. A loss to the Buckeyes and the Badgers would need help with both Penn State and Ohio State to win the Leaders Division.

Wisconsin enters the game coming off its first loss of the season, a 37-31 last second shocker to Michigan State. It will be interesting to see where the Badgers are mentally and emotionally, as OSU and its environment will demand Wisconsin’s complete focus. No question, the coaches and players are aware of the importance of the resiliency of spirit, yet it is one thing to know and another to live. Adversity will come a knocking tonight, no doubt about that, Ohio State will bring it and it will be a determining factor in this game as to how Wisconsin responds.

These teams have met in each of the past four seasons; in 07 OSU handled the Badgers @ home, 38-17, and in 08, the Buckeyes survived in Madison, 20-17. In 2009 the teams played at the Horseshoe and once again OSU handled the Badgers, 31-13; however, last year in Madison, the Badgers gave the Buckeyes their only defeat in 2010, 31-18.

This year they have two common opponents in Nebraska & Michigan State. OSU & Wisconsin both lost to Spartans, the Badgers on a last second “Hail Mary” at Spartan Stadium and a depleted Ohio State lost at home. The Badgers beat Nebraska 48-17 at home while the Buckeyes lost a big 4th quarter lead and fell to the Huskers 34-27 in Lincoln.

Checkout the individual team pages on this site to get more specific data. Please keep in mind that Boom Herron did not play until the Illinois game and while his presence had a positive effect on the Bucks offense, his absence, has negatively impacted OSU statistical data.

Braxton Miller is growing into the QB position @ Ohio State and had he not suffered an injury in the Nebraska game, OSU may, and probably would have won that game; yet the Badgers have the clear edge at quarterback given Russell Wilson’s ability to run or throw. Danny ‘Boom” Herron is a terrific running back but the duel threat of Montee Ball and James White more than offset any advantage that that Herron creates for OSU. This game will spin on who plays the best defense and OSU’s defense is better than the Badgers. That said, the key to Wisconsin winning this game will be their ability to keep the Bucks defense on the field. The Badgers need to win the time of possession battle to create the venue for their massive offensive line to pound on that quick OSU defense. I believe the Badgers do just that ….. Wisconsin 35 OSU 24