Ohio State Football: Can the Buckeyes run Wisconsin off the field?

Ohio State football has obliterated everyone in its path, can the Buckeyes keep it going against a talented, and motivated Wisconsin team?

The stage was set for the battle of the undefeated Big Ten Powerhouses. Ohio State and Wisconsin looked to be on a crash course for the battle of Big Ten supremacy. Neither team seemed to have broken a sweat to start their respective seasons, with no. 3 Ohio State crushing everyone in their path, and no. 13 Wisconsin’s defense showing it’s one of the best in college football.

But then, Illinois came calling.

When the Illini hit the game-winning field goal to knock off the Badgers, it cemented the Buckeyes sole possession of the Big Ten’s favorite. The Wisconsin offense really struggled against Illinois, and now has their toughest test to date.

Ohio State has only given up more than 10 points this season in one game, the first game of the season against Florida Atlantic. They’ve been brilliant, with a stout defense led by future first round picks Chase Young and Jeff Okudah, and an offense led by star quarterback Justin Fields and running back JK Dobbins.

This game is a fascinating clash of styles, and here’s how to watch:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Venue: Ohio Stadium
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go

Keys to Victory

For Wisconsin, the keys to victory involve two simple things: keep the game slow and ride Jonathan Taylor.

As good as Wisconsin’s defense is, they will never win a shootout against the Buckeyes. They need to keep the game slow, have long drives, and keep Fields and Dobbins off the field.

That involves a Jack Coan also stepping up in a big way for this one. He’s been one of the best quarterback’s in the country in terms of efficiency and third down conversions, and that will be key to the long drives Wisconsin needs.

Ohio State, meanwhile, needs to do what it does best, capitalize on big plays. If Dobbins is finding huge gains, this game could get out of hand quickly. This offense is that talented that it could even wreak havoc on a defense like Wisconsin. The Badgers defense struggled with big plays against Illinois last week, and they’ll have to do the same again.

Defensively, they need to look at where Illinois had success. Despite Wisconsin having more than 100 more total yards, and nearly 20 more minutes in time of possession, Illinois was able to force three turnovers and frustrate Jack Coan all afternoon.

Chase Young, as usual, will be a major difference maker for the Buckeyes. If he’s getting in the backfield, and forcing Coan into mistakes, Wisconsin will lose. It’s as simple as that. The slow, methodical, fundamental Badgers will clash against the high-octane Buckeyes, who will come out on top?

Prediction

Wisconsin will be able to slow this game down. They’ll have a couple of long drives early, and their blend of passing and running will keep Young off kilter, and he won’t be as effective in the first half.

But in the second half, Ryan Day will make adjustments, and a couple of quick scores will put Wisconsin into obvious passing situations, and that is when Ohio State will start to take control of this one. JK Dobbins scores early in the second half, and Ohio State doesn’t look back.

Jack Coan has been excellent this season, but not good enough to beat this Buckeyes team. Buckeyes’ fans will finally sweat for a bit in this one, but they’ll win, continuing their undefeated season.

Final Score: Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 23