Buckeyes Wire’s Phil Harrison on Wisconsin-Ohio State rematch

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Phil answered four questions I posed to him about Saturday night’s big game in Indianapolis:

1 – How is the rematch most likely to be different from the first game in Columbus?

PHIL HARRISON: I think it’ll be a little closer than the first contest. With it being on a neutral field and with a game under Wisconsin’s belt, it’ll help neutralize things a bit I think. In some ways, it’s difficult to game plan against Ohio State this year because Ryan Day is a new head coach with no tendencies to go off of. Now the Badger coaching staff will get a second crack at it, and I think it’ll help. I’m not ready to say the Badgers pull off the upset against such a dynamic team, but I don’t think the offense will have as hard of a time moving the ball on the ground like game one in Columbus. We’ve seen Wisconsin open it up a bit to loosen things up for the rushing attack and you’ll likely see the same Saturday.

2 – What development since the first game should make OSU most confident about Saturday?

HARRISON: There was a little adversity against Penn State that Ohio State didn’t have up until then. Things were a little tight against Wisconsin in the first game, but then OSU kept plugging away and leaned on the Badger offensive line. The depth of the Buckeyes really wore down Wisconsin. In the Penn State game, things didn’t go so well in the turnover department and the Buckeyes had to battle through it, play a four quarter game and find a way to come out the other side somewhat battle tested. That could not only come in handy this Saturday if things remain close, but going forward with a potential College Football Playoff appearance.

3 – What development since the first game should make OSU most concerned about Saturday?

HARRISON: Probably the most concerning thing is what we saw from the defense against Penn State and Michigan. The D was a very stingy unit up until those two games, but both the Nittany Lions and Wolverines had some success in different ways. Penn State found some room between the tackles with the Q-run, and the Michigan QB Shea Patterson lit up OSU’s secondary in the first half. Now, it’s not a trend yet, but you can expect Wisconsin to look at the film and try to implement what worked in those two contests. There’s now game film of teams moving the ball against this defense, and I expect Wisconsin to benefit from that to some extent.

4 – Are there any post-Michigan letdown concerns for Ohio State? Should there be?

HARRISON: Ohio State has remained focused throughout this season despite many opportunities for a letdown or lack of proper mindset to creep in. Because of that, this is less of a concern than maybe some of the teams of the past. There hasn’t been a Purdue or Iowa flop to point to. That being said, this game offers an interesting dynamic because the Buckeyes already laid it on the Badgers in game one. Does that lead to a mindset of inferiority or a tendency to not prepare as hard? With what we’ve seen from this team, I don’t think so, but it is a danger that bears watching.