Ohio State's Braxton Miller is the key to a Buckeye victory in Madison on Saturday. (US Presswire) |
No. 6 Ohio State (10-0, 6-0 Big Ten) at Wisconsin (7-3, 4-2)
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Spread: Wisconsin by 3
Watchability: Any notion that Wisconsin would rest its players having locked up a second straight Big Ten championship game appearance should be dismissed. Coach Bret Bielema said, “We’re in a race to finish at the top of our division and this week is a chance to play the team that’s in the No. 1 spot. I think I might have a mutiny on my hands if I tried to pull anyone out of this game on Saturday.” This rivalry has been brewing for the past few seasons. Make sure not to miss this one.
Shining stars: Ohio State -- QB Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde are as tough a rushing duo as any in the conference. They’ve each rushed for 13 touchdowns (tied for second in the conference) and combined for more than 1,900 rushing yards in 10 games. Hyde’s punishing, down-hill style wears down defensive lines. Miller, who even in short-yardage situations, is elusive enough to shirk oncoming tacklers. Wisconsin allows just more than 100 rushing yards per game, best in the Big Ten, but it struggled to contain Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez, the lone scrambling quarterback the Badgers have faced this year. Wisconsin -- Montee Ball and James White are equally as formidable a combination as Miller and Hyde, but because they rarely play at the same time, they can’t divide a defense’s attention like Ohio State’s pair. In recent weeks, Ball has been a different running back, topping 166 yards three times in his past four games. He’s been running “angry,” as Bielema described him against Indiana last weekend, routinely engaging contact instead of speeding past it. His three longest runs of the season -- 67, 44, 49 -- have come in the past four games.
Who could steal the show: Ohio State -- LB Etienne Sabino has been out the past six weeks after breaking his leg Oct. 6 against Nebraska, but he has practiced during Ohio State’s bye and should return Saturday. Sabino had 38 tackles, two sacks and an interception before the injury. Wisconsin typically doesn’t mind that defenses stuff the box in anticipation of a heavy ground game, and Sabino, along with Zach Boren and Ryan Shazier, will be crucial in limiting its effectiveness. His return is “Huge for us,” DE and captain John Simon said. “The leadership he brings for us on and off the field is tremendous.” Wisconsin -- The forgotten man in Wisconsin’s ground attack is WR Jared Abbrederis. Even though he has five touchdowns and is third in the Big Ten with 689 receiving yards, defenses typically give him single coverage while trying to neutralize the rushing attack. Buckeyes CB Bradley Roby, one of the best corners in the country, will likely draw the assignment. Abbrederis could benefit on play actions but fifth-year QB Curt Phillips, who’ll be making his second career start, may be hesitant to air it out after just four completions for 41 yards last week vs. Indiana.
You going? Ranking the road trip: The last time Ohio State came to Camp Randall in 2010, it was 6-0 and ranked No. 1 in the country. It left with a sour taste as the Badgers won 31-18. In last season’s series renewal, Ohio State won on a 40-yard touchdown pass to Devin Smith with 20 seconds left. As divisional foes, these teams don’t like each other. “I hate Wisconsin just as much as Michigan,” junior WR Corey “Philly” Brown said. It likely doesn’t matter that the divisional crown is up for grabs. These teams just want to win.
Magic number for Ohio State: 32. Urban Meyer’s teams have won 32 of their past 34 games when given more than a week to prepare for an opponent. The Buckeyes’ last game came two weeks ago against Illinois.
Magic number for Wisconsin: 79. Ball has scored 77 career touchdowns, one shy of tying former Miami (Ohio) RB Travis Prentice’s NCAA all-time record.
The game comes down to: Whichever defense can limit the other’s rushing attack. Holding an opponents ground game starts at the line of scrimmage, so whichever defensive front is more physical should win.
Eye on College Football's take: Phillips didn't have to do much other than hand off to lead Wisconsin to a win against Indiana. Against this Ohio State team, though, he'll have to prove he can pass the ball, too. --Tom Fornelli
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 24
For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.