Well here we are folks, the final Big Ten game of the year. Wisconsin’s red hot defense will have to rise to the occasion against one of the nation’s best offenses in Ohio State as both teams know a win puts them in good shape to make the “playoffs.”
How Did Ohio State Get Here?
Quite simply, using home-field advantage. The schedule unfolded nicely with the biggest roadblock in the east, Penn State, coming to Columbus. OSU managed to pull the victory out, 39-38, to give them a huge tiebreaker. Extra home cooking came against Michigan State, a very pesky foe, who also came to Columbus. Ohio State cleaned MSU’s clock, 48-3, to give them another big tiebreaker.
The key component to Ohio State is their offense. While the defense has elite talent, they haven’t jelled as much as the offense, who is of course led by veteran QB J.T. Barrett. He is joined by J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber in a nasty backfield that can score in bunches. In fact, Urban Meyer’s offense has hit 40+ seven times already on the year.
While Barrett may not always have the best feel for the position ever, I mean look at the Iowa tape, he is a scary kid to face. His athleticism, size, speed, and arm strength are all next level. When he is in a zone, he can be the best quarterback in the league. The problem is if he gets rattled early. We saw Iowa manage to do that, even picking off the first pass he threw for a touchdown, and then it unraveled on him as that game went on. The problem is meltdowns like that are very few and very far between. Since the Iowa game, he has been on fire.
How did Wisconsin Get Here?
Three key factors. First, suffocating defense. They have the best defense in the league and one of the best in the nation. Second, a manageable schedule. They didn’t take on a ranked team until 20th ranked Iowa on November 11th. While a team like Purdue ended up being better than expected, this is offset by a team like BYU being much worse than expected. Lastly, Jonathan Taylor. The kid is absolutely electrifying and should be in New York City but, you know, that award has really fallen off.
Who Will Win…and Why?
Unlike a few years ago, Wisconsin is not going to get obliterated by Ohio State. In many ways, they are the better team. Special teams and defense favors UW. The best player on the field, Jonathan Taylor, is a Badger. This makes Wisconsin fans very excited and makes the game feel like a toss-up.
The problem is OSU has faced a much tougher schedule and still has more talent throughout the roster. The biggest difference though has to be under center. Barrett is a once in a generation college quarterback coming to the end of an illustrious career. Wisconsin’s Alex Hornibrook is a first year starter who has shown flashes but is also turnover prone and not called on to do a whole lot outside of turn around and give the ball to Taylor.
It is because a slight edge in talent overall and a big edge at quarterback, that I think Ohio State ultimately wins an epic Big Ten Title game.
How to Watch
- Date: December, 2nd
- Time: 7 pm Central
- TV: Fox
- Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Big Ten and Counting 