Say bye bye to the crazy Friday night game in Evanston, and hello back to a normal week. Ohio State comes home to face a Wisconsin team that had an unexpected and shocking loss against Illinois, all after looking like a whale of a team through the first six weeks of the season.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes just keep on rolling, disposing of every opponent on the schedule by at least 24 points, and five by over forty. It’s an extremely balanced squad that has shown very little weaknesses to date.
Admittedly, it’s a little tough to figure this Wisconsin team after what we saw last Saturday, but our haunch is that the Badgers will play up to their potential and provide Ohio State with its toughest game of the year so far.
As we always do prior to kickoff against the next opponent, we’ve got a few of our contributors ready to throw out predictions for the game. Here goes …
Next … the predictions
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 20
I think Wisconsin comes and plays hard, gives the Ohio State offense some fits through the majority of the game, but at some point all those playmakers on offense are going to get loose. It’ll be a dogfight in what looks like some rainy and windy conditions, but Ohio State pulls away with talent and depth in the end.
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
Ohio State 30, Wisconsin 17
I believe Ohio State will remain focused this week, but I also believe Wisconsin will be ready for a battle. The Badgers know after a loss last week, they have zero room for error.
Ohio State will keep the Wisconsin defense guessing and will be able to score. However, Jonathan Taylor and excellent offensive line play will keep the Badgers within striking distance.
The Buckeyes will eventually stack the box to stop the run, forcing an inexperienced Jack Coan to beat them through the air. This was the Illini game plan and it worked to perfection.
With the lack of a consistent deep threat, the OSU DBs will be more than capable of containing the Wisconsin passing attack. Ultimately, the game will be closer than we’ve come to expect in the Ryan Day era, but the Buckeyes make a statement and come out on top.
Contact/Follow Nathan Beighle
Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 14
Although facing their toughest opponent, Ohio State’s offense has been dominant, scoring 40-plus on six of their seven opponents. Against Wisconsin’s conference-best defense, I expect some struggle, but 27 or more points should still be on the board. On the other side of the ball, Jonathon Taylor meets Chase Young.
Ohio State shut down Taylor last season, and they have the personnel to do it again. Wisconsin will have a tough time driving against a formidable Ohio State front. For those reasons, this will be at least a 13-point Ohio State victory.
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 14
The only reason the Buckeyes don’t pour it on is literally because they’ll be getting poured on.
It’s supposed to rain all game, which probably works more in Wisconsin’s favor since it takes away a good part of the passing attack for the Buckeyes.
This Wisconsin team reminds me exactly of the 2014 team. Relies way too much on one-guy (then-Melvin Gordon, now Jonathan Taylor) to make things happen and when it does, they have nothing else to fall back on.
Ohio State has too much firepower and quite frankly, have you watched this offensive line? Wyatt Davis is an animal and the other guys are moving defensive linemen like it’s high school all over again.
Contact/Follow Samuel Baum
Ohio State 45, Wisconsin 13
Jonathan Taylor will be held to under a 100 yards rushing and Wisconsin’s offense will not be able to get started. The defensive line will pressure the quarterback. Ohio state will have a huge day in the running game, and there will be incredible balance with the offense go for over 500 yards of offense
Like these predictions? Get one from College Football News as well.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.
