Wisconsin Football: 3 reasons the Badgers will upset Ohio State in Week 9

2. Jonathan Taylor has his Heisman moment

Before you say it, yes, I fully understand that Jonathan Taylor doesn’t have a prayer at actually winning the Heisman, which has essentially turned into a quarterback award at this point. However, there is little doubt that JT has had a Heisman-caliber season so far as the nation’s top running back, and his monster numbers will certainly have him in the discussion for an invitation to New York for the ceremony if he maintains his current pace.

Regardless of what happens from here on out, Taylor has established himself as one of the greatest backs in college football history with the absurd production he has racked up to this point in his career, and the great ones step up when the lights are the brightest.

This is just what I expect Taylor to do against the Buckeyes.

It’s true that Ohio State’s defense has played at just as high of a level as Wisconsin’s this season, including against the run; it ranks No 4 nationally in opponents’ rushing yards per attempt.

However, the Buckeyes have not faced a ground game this strong all season, or a running back as talented as Taylor. Ohio State shut down Nebraska, who currently ranks No. 33 nationally in rushing yards per game (Wisconsin is No. 11 in that category), back at the end of September, but the Huskers have since shown their true colors and fallen off the wagon, averaging only 156 yards over their last three.

I’m not saying Taylor will have his best game of the season. But if he’s able to rip off a long run or two and find a moderate level of success moving the chains, that means Wisconsin is going to be sustaining drives and eating up the clock, keep the explosive Ohio State offense on the sidelines in the process. If the Badgers are dictating the tempo like this, the Buckeyes are in trouble.