Where: Camp Randall Stadium (Madison, WI)
When: 7:15 PM EST
TV: ESPN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO6aUNpPYco&p=E24E4AB463E01AEB&playnext=1&index=58
That clip always reminds me of the crazy atmosphere that encompasses a trip to Madison, as well as how loose our team has become in big games.
Make no mistake about it: this will be, in my opinion, our toughest all around test of the season. Why do I think that? Here are the following reasons: it is the first legitimate road game of the year, it just so happens to be in Camp Randall Stadium, it is at night, Wisconsin tends to be OSU's kryptonite every now and then, and September/October is when the Buckeyes are most vulnerable. Flukes happen, but Ohio State has only lost four regular season games in November under Jim Tressel, two of which came in seasons where Ohio State had seven regular season wins. The other two: Jim's only loss to Michigan since he took the job in Columbus, and a shocking upset loss to Illinois on Senior Day in 2007. In other words, facts are facts and OSU is generally going to lose before November rolls around and the team is at full go.
An October night game at Wisconsin should sound familiar to Buckeye fans, as the team has played in two of those since the 2003 season. They are 1-1 in those games, losing 17-10 in 2003 (which snapped the nations longest winning streak at 19 games) and coming back to win in 2008 under freshman Terrelle Pryor, 20-17. Wisconsin has made a modest living out of beating Ohio State as of late, going 4-4 vs the Buckeyes in the past decade. Also, Wisconsin has ALWAYS moved the ball, even against some of the best OSU defenses in the Tressel era. If Wisconsin doesn't run the ball the way that they want to, then the play-action pass opens up. Last season alone Wisconsin had 368 yards of total offense - 250 of which came through the air (mostly off play-action), 22 first downs and managed to total over 100 yards running the ball as a team. The Badgers don't have the talent across the board like more elite programs, nor do they have special players at key positions such as quarterback, but they are a tough, hard-nosed and physical football team that brings it to every opponent each and every week. There is the problem right there, though. You can bring it all you want, but without the special talent you will never be a consistent threat to win the Big Ten. Wisconsin is a nice team that I still think can win nine or ten games and represent the conference very nicely during bowl season, but they are nowhere near the caliber of Ohio State in 2010.
It may sound like I've been gushing over Wisconsin for months now, but let's get one thing clear: I've presented facts. Not biased opinions, but facts. Factually speaking, Wisconsin is always a tough game and have been in every game they have played against the Buckeyes since renewing the series in 2007 (before then they would just win as opposed to simply competing)... but they won't win on Saturday night.
College Gameday will be in Madison and the rabid Badger fans will be chomping at the bit to take on the #1 team in America, but the talent gap is too wide this season. Terrelle Pryor will have a good game, and while it may not be a truly Heisman-worthy performance it will still be a very nice, efficient day at the ball park for him. The running game will mostly rely on the legs of Pryor and a key fourth quarter touchdown by Boom Herron to ice the game as the pass-heavy Buckeyes beat the Badgers by a couple of touchdowns. Look for DeVier Posey to have a very big game, along with Dane Sanzenbacher and TE Jake Stoneburner who has returned from injury.
It will be loud, crazy and often times may seem like Wisconsin has all the momentum, but don't believe for a second that Wisconsin will win this game.
I'm just stating facts (hopefully I'm not eating crow on Sunday).
Prediction:
Ohio State- 31
Wisconsin- 17
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