#12/14 Ohio State
v. #15 Wisconsin
Camp
Randall, Madison
Wisconsin
Kickoff: 8pm
TV: ABC
Was Wisconsin looking ahead
to Ohio State?
It sure looked like it during the second half meltdown at Michigan last week. The Badgers had the game in hand at the half
with a 19-0 lead over the Wolverines but seemed to lose focus as the game wore
on. How will Wisconsin react to an embarrassing defeat in
a must win situation at home? Ohio State
is also in a must win situation for respect after four top ten teams lost
(three to unranked squads) and the pollsters not voting the Buckeyes up any
spots. Had Wisconsin
entered this game undefeated, an Ohio
State victory surely
would have increased the remote possibility of a return to the national
championship. Unfortunately the game has
lost some of its luster but it still means everything when it comes down to the
Big Ten crown and a trip to the Rose Bowl.
By Pete Quint
OSU “O”
It was great to see Beanie Wells get his share of the
carries last week. He just makes
everyone around him better. It also
helps Terrelle Pryor continue to grow into the quarterback position. With Beanie back the Minnesota defense had to respect the OSU
ground game and out of nowhere Brian Robiskie scores two touchdowns. I expected to see more of Robo this season
but it seems that with Beanie injured he was double teamed. Wisconsin
was burned in the second half by the Wolverine running game and that will be
the key to the game. I think Wisconsin will use their
incredible front seven lead by pass rush specialist defensive end Matt
Shaughnessy and All-American candidate linebacker DeAndre Levy to load up and
stop the running game and dare Pryor to throw the ball.
OSU “D”
At 5-11, 236 lbs, running back P.J. Hill continues the Wisconsin tradition of lining up a certified Clydesdale
in the backfield. With 449 yards and a
4.9 average yards per carry, Hill is a threat anytime he touches the ball. Hill will capture the attention of the
Buckeye defense and could open up the passing game for the Badgers. Quarterback Alan Evridge has been outstanding
in distributing the ball as nine Badger wide receivers are averaging 11 or more
yards per catch. Big tight end Garrett
Graham is Evridge’s go-to guy. Graham
averages 14 yards per catch and has recorded three touchdowns so far this
season. H-Back Lance Kendricks is a
home-run hitter with only five catches through four games for 131 yards (26.2
ypc). Quarterback pressure will be vital
if the Buckeyes are to secure a victory.
Unfortunately the pass rush isn’t typical of an OSU defense and many
opposing quarterbacks have had plenty of time to distribute the ball. The Buckeye defense must get nasty with this
huge offensive line (no one listed under 300 lbs.) and disrupt the passing
game.
Summary
Both teams are in a must win situation for the remainder of
the season. Camp
Randall and the Wisconsin
fans are the loudest and most intimidating fans in the Big Ten. In Wisconsin’s favor, the current Buckeyes
have never visited Madison and will be in for a rough night as the Badger
faithful will have all day to get good and sauced up for the contest (trust me
when I say Cheeseheads know how to party).
Not even the Los Angeles Coliseum will match the intensity of Camp Randall
and the Wisconsin fan base. The Buckeyes will have to dig deep for a win
and I think that the OSU secondary will have to play almost flawless for the
victory. Hill will get his yards and
touchdowns but the Bucks can’t get beat through the air or this one will be
over quickly.
Prediction:
OSU 24 – Wisconsin 14
Why OSU will win:
Wisconsin
will not respect young Terrelle Pryor and dare him to throw the ball. Pryor will have Badger burgers for a late
night snack.
Why OSU will lose:
Beanie must stay healthy or the game plan could blow up in
the Buckeye’s faces. Without Beanie, the
Badger defense is too good for a sloppy OSU offensive line.
Fun stats of the
game:
-The last time Ohio
State was in Madison was five years ago in 2003; it was
also a night game. The 10-3 loss snapped
OSU’s 19-game win streak.
-No current OSU player has ever visited Camp Randall
donning the Scarlet and Gray.
-In Camp
Randall, the Badgers have
won 27 of the last 28 match-ups including the last 16 straight.
Last time they met
was…
Ohio
Stadium, 2007. Todd Boeckman and Beanie
Wells put a hurtin’ on the Badgers 38-17 in Columbus.
Wisconsin players to watch:
Junior TE #89 Garrett Graham
Junior RB #39 P.J. Hill
Sophomore WR #85 David Gilreath
Senior QB #4 Allan Evridge
Sophomore HB # 84 Lance Kendricks
Senior LB #11 DeAndre Levy
Junior LB #47 Jaevery McFadden
Senior DE #92 Matt Shaughnessy