Ohio State steps back into a normal Saturday game week, but it’s anything but. This time the Buckeyes welcome a very good Wisconsin team into the ‘Shoe, and though we said it before this really should be the stiffest test to date for OSU.
Wisconsin has a very, very good defense — in fact statistically the best in the country — and can go toe-to-toe with anyone when it comes to a physical brand of football that will require a long and tiring day.
Of course Ohio State will also contend with perhaps the best running back in the country Jonathan Taylor, and an offensive line that may have had a rough day last week, but is big, strong, and effective.
So, it’ll be a donnybrook in the Horseshoe, or so we think. Here’s three reasons why the Wisconsin Badgers could give the Buckeyes some issues on Saturday.
Next … Defensive anyone?
Duh, the Badger defense is really, really good
Okay, so it’s stating the obvious, but it could be much, much harder to move the ball against the nation’s No. 1 rated defense statistically. So far, the Ohio State offense has been able to do about anything it wants against every team it has faced, including a stout Michigan State team.
But this will be different. Wisconsin is the best team in the country against the run, gives up fewer yards per game than anyone else, and is also stingy against the pass. There will be moments on Saturday when the offense bogs down, the defense on the other side is too good to not create some frustration.
It could be a war of attrition.
Next … The Jonathan Taylor factor
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor is a beast
Stop Jonathan Taylor and you’ve got a chance. It’s no secret that Wisconsin’s bread and butter is to establish the running game, then run it some more, then when you least expect it, hand the ball off again. After all of that, the offense will suck you in then throw to the tight end or go down the field on play action.
But it all starts with getting the Badgers off schedule by stopping Taylor on first and second down so that quarterback Jack Coan has to put it in the air. That’s easier said than done however. Taylor is not only big and powerful, but he he’s got great speed and vision to go along with it.
He’s going to bust some runs off, it just depends on how many. Either way, he’s probably going to be a problem Ohio State has to deal with Saturday.
Next … The physical side of things
Wisconsin will punch you in the mouth all day
I’ve said this many times, but it bears repeating. It’s hard to prepare for a team like Wisconsin because it’s got an offense you just don’t see much anymore. You’ll see a fullback, tight ends, jumbo sets and on offensive line that’s going to come right at you. There’s a lot of big bodies, and the Badgers are going to lean on Ohio State all day.
And teams just don’t have the personnel to deal with that because the linebackers have gotten lighter and more agile to counteract all the spread offenses today. It’s big boy football and Wisconsin might have enough to ball-control the heck out of this thing, keep the Buckeye offense off the field and grit this one out.
It is the Wisconsin way after all.
