Wisconsin (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) will face Ohio State (12-0, 9-0) for the second time this year. It isn’t the first time the Badgers have had a rematch in the Big Ten Championship Game as the Badgers also played Michigan State twice in 2011 and Nebraska two times in 2012. In both instances, the Badgers lost the regular season matchup to the Spartans and Cornhuskers before beating them in the Big Ten Championship Game. Can Wisconsin do the same against Ohio State on Saturday?
Here are the five keys for a Wisconsin victory over the Buckeyes:
1. Wisconsin’s ability to contain Chase Young
Like he has all season against other Big Ten opponents Young terrorized the Badgers from his defensive end position when the two teams met in October. Young finished the game with six tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, and two forced fumbles. Simply put if Young puts up similar numbers again on Saturday the Badgers can once again expect a similar result as the first meeting. The Badgers have received better offensive line play since the first meeting but due to how talented Young is it will be a team effort just to try and slow him down. Wisconsin’s offensive line is going to need to be consistent throughout the game with their blocking just to allow for the Badgers offense to have a chance of generating a rhythm. If they can the Badgers will be able to sustain drives and work their way down the field against a talented defense.
2. The Badgers ability to throw the football
Ohio State will consistently load the box against Wisconsin making Jack Coan beat the Buckeyes with the passing game. Coan didn’t have his best game against Ohio State but if he can build off of his game against Minnesota the Badgers will have a chance of pulling the upset. Specifically, Coan is going to need to be able to connect on his deep throws in order to try and open up the field. In addition, Coan will need to go through his reads quickly in order to get rid of the football. In the first meeting, he didn’t have a lot of time when he dropped back to pass as he was sacked five times, which disrupted Wisconsin’s offense. In order for Wisconsin’s offense to have success that will need to change as the Badgers have to be able to capitalize on each offensive possession.
3. Keeping J.K. Dobbins in check
Dobbins has hurt Wisconsin’s defense similarly to how Jonathan Taylor has hurt opposing Big Ten teams. In two career games against the Badgers Dobbins is averaging 168.5 yards on 18.5 carries. With Dobbins averaging 9.1 yards per carry the Badgers are going to need to rely on their defensive line to help slow him down. Garrett Rand and Isaiahh Loudermilk both are coming off strong games against Minnesota as the two combined for 11 tackles and helped hold Minnesota to 76 rushing yards on 30 carries. Rand and Loudermilk are going to need to put together a similar performance in order to slow Dobbins down. If they can it should also allow for Wisconsin’s linebackers to make plays in the run game.
4. Wisconsin’s ability to create turnovers against Ohio State
Ohio State over conference play only turned the football over 10 times the second fewest turnovers behind Minnesota’s eight. Despite Wisconsin forcing 15 turnovers over Big Ten play it will be difficult considering how well the Buckeyes protect the football. However, if Wisconsin does create a turnover it will likely come thanks to the Badgers forcing a fumble as they have recovered seven over Big Ten play compared to the Buckeyes losing nine fumbles. If Wisconsin is able to force a fumble or register an interception off of Justin Fields it will be critical that they capitalize on the Buckeyes mistake.
5. Finding ways of creating success for Jonathan Taylor
After rushing for 52 yards on 20 carries against Ohio State Taylor reeled off three straight games of 200 yards rushing before being held to 76 yards on 18 carries against Minnesota. The Buckeyes are more than capable of containing Taylor again making it important that the Badgers try and get Taylor involved in other ways on offense. Specifically, through the passing game as Taylor has caught a pass in every game except for the game against Purdue. Making it important that Wisconsin finds a way of getting Taylor out into space in the passing game so he’s able to get up the field and help Wisconsin sustain drives.