Ohio State vs. Wisconsin 2019 Big Ten Championship football Preview And Prediction

Ohio State will tussle with Wisconsin for the second time this season in the Big Ten Championship Game. Here’s our preview and prediction.

Ohio State game plan for victory

Once again, Ohio State looked close to unstoppable on Saturday. With that said, Michigan was able to throw on the Buckeye secondary more than we’ve seen this year. However, I believe that had more to do with Shaun Wade’s absence, a much improved Michigan offense, and a very good game plan against Chase Young.

Wisconsin offers a much different look and have been heavily reliant on the run game this season. Jonathan Taylor has been his typical workhorse self posting 1,761 yards this season for tops in the Big Ten. But the Badgers went a little off script this past week against Minnesota and threw the ball around more than usual.

Paul Chryst and offensive coordinator, Joe Rudolph opened the play up calling with some reverses and screen passes to keep the Gophers on their heels. Quarterback Jack Coan ended with 280 yards and two touchdowns while Taylor posted a modest 76 yards rushing and two scores on the ground. When Wisconsin faced Ohio State in October, Coan was held to 108 yards passing, while Taylor was held to a season low of 52.

Wisconsin will have some tricks up its sleeve for sure to try and keep the Buckeye D guessing, but will the Badgers have an answer for Chase Young? The Heisman hopeful got to Coan four times and caused two fumbles in the previous matchup.

Offensively, Ohio State overcame poor weather conditions and still put up 38 points against what was at the time the No. 1 defense in the country. JK Dobbins, Master Teague, and Justin Fields combined for 263 yards rushing on that day. With no weather issues, Fields should be able to open it up through the air as well.

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 1 p.m. ET. 

Next … The key players for Ohio State

Two Key Players For Ohio State

Justin Fields, Quarterback. When Justin Fields went down with what looked to be a very bad knee injury, Buckeye Nation held its collective breath. A sigh of relief was felt when Fields came back a few plays later with a new, bigger knee brace on and threw a 30-yard strike to Garrett Wilson in the back of the end zone. Ryan Day called it “a Heisman moment.” The Buckeyes are deep everywhere except at QB. OSU is talented enough to win without Fields, but it certainly would be much more challenging.

Chase Young, Defensive End.  Chase Young was held (sometimes literally) in check for the most part against Michigan. Earlier in the year facing the Badgers, Young looked absolutely unblockable, getting to Jack Coan four times and causing two fumbles. As long as the front seven can keep Jonathan Taylor in check and force Wisconsin into obvious passing downs, Young should have a field day all over again.

Next … How it’ll all do down

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