Where: Ohio Stadium
When: 8 PM EST
TV: ABC/ESPN National
The image of Wisconsin handing OSU's ass on a platter last season will forever serve as a reminder of what almost was an undefeated, national championship season...even though it would have been erased from the record books. Note: remind me not to bring up that conversation ever again.
A year later, the Buckeyes will have their chance Saturday night to butt heads with the mighty Badgers once again, only this time the script is slightly different. Wisconsin is in the same position as last season, being a strong favorite to win the Big Ten championship and return to Pasadena. OSU on the other hand is - for lack of a better term - "down' this season. I hesitate to use that term because confidence and growth is certainly not lacking with this team, evidenced by the way they have rebounded and progressed all season long after tough losses. After losing to Miami, Fickell switched to freshman QB Braxton Miller and sparked the next generation of Buckeye quarterbacks. After an excruciating loss to Michigan State at home, a road trip to Nebraska proved to be a showcase for what the offense could look like for years to come under Miller. Heading to Illinois wasn't the offensive showcase people would have wanted, but the defense went out and played its best game since the first week of the season.
These are all baby steps, however saying that the team is down would be incorrect. If anything, they are extremely confident and are looking to finally put it all together to win a huge game against a top 15 opponent- an opponent that just so happens to be one of their least favorite teams in America. Wisconsin has been dominant all season against teams that they should beat, averaging 50 points per game, while in the process sending QB Russell Wilson into the Heisman Trophy discussion. They lost to Michigan State on a last second Hail Mary, but their conference championship hopes are still alive and kicking and I don't see that changing. Even with a loss in the Shoe, the Badgers would still be able to eventually make it to Indianapolis to play for the B10 title.
It will be a daunting task to slow down Wilson and Co., but this is an Ohio State defense that has been improving each and every week and has had two weeks to prepare. You will see TWO WEEKS of growth on the field this weekend, in a demonstration of just how good defensive coordinator Jim Heacock is and how talented this young group of Bucks truly are. I see the OSU defense having their most exciting performance to date against the vaunted Wisconsin rushing attack and Wilson (I still think Wisconsin will be somewhat effective, though).
The key will be whether Miller and the offense for Ohio State will be able to assist in capitalizing off of Badger punts and mistakes. I have a feeling that the ground game will be extraordinarily effective at points throughout the game, which will only serve as to keep the defense fresh and for OSU to slowly but surely make it a game of field position, ball security and clock control. I am calling for Boom Herron to have another 100 yard performance, and will score in yet another game - and trust me, points will be at a premium for both teams.
Braxton Miller won't be perfect, but the ground game will be effective enough for OSU to control the clock the majority of the game, providing a rested defense a chance to pin their ears back and get after Montee Ball, James White and the rest of the Wisconsin backfield. Philly Brown, Jake Stoneburner and the OSU passing game won't be the story of the game, but I think the game situation will set up for a huge touchdown reception from Brown that will blow the game wide open early on. This will only set the stage for some major drama as it will be VERY, VERY close.
I am going to go with my gut feeling here that Saturday night is going to be a good night for the defense; good enough to where OSU's offense will be the story and will keep Wisconsin off the field during long stretches of the game. The biggest win of the season is upon us, as Ohio State upsets the mighty Badgers.
Key to the game: please don't let Wisconsin score first. If they do, it could get ugly... fast.
Prediction:
Wisconsin- 13
Ohio State- 17
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