31-24
OK, Ohio State, it's time to dream 'really big'
September 29, 2013 Source: BTN - The Buckeyes went 12-0 in 2012, the school’s first under Urban Meyer. Alas, NCAA probation kept the Buckeyes from competing for the Big Ten championship or going to the postseason. So, America never got to see if Ohio State was national title caliber.
But now, unencumbered by sanctions, Ohio State’s possibilities are endless. And, after tonight’s 31-24 win over Wisconsin, the Buckeyes can begin to dream big. Really big... 
10 Things We Learned from A Big Win Under the Lights
September 29, 2013 Source: The Ozone - 1. Braxton’s the guy. Really, in the end, the debate about Braxton Miller or Kenny Guiton was much ado about nothing. That’s not to say there was no legitimacy to the idea Guiton had played well enough to deserve some consideration, but there was really no choice to be made if Miller was healthy heading into the Big Ten opener. After all the talk about Braxton or Kenny, or how Urban Meyer might be able to use them together, it was Miller who took every snap for the Buckeyes in their first big test of the season. He didn’t quite look like his usual elusive self – 83 yards on 22 carries – but he looked like a guy who was out to prove he could throw the ball as well as his backup. Miller threw a couple beautiful passes on Saturday night, including touchdown passes to Evan Spencer, Devin Smith and Philly Brown. The offense didn’t look as dangerous as it had the previous week with Guiton at the helm, but this was Wisconsin and not Florida A&M we’re talking about.
2. It’s going to take some time for Braxton to be Braxton. Miller may have looked good throwing the ball Saturday – 17 of 25 for 198 and four scores – but it’s going to take some time before Miller looks like the guy who on all those Heisman Trophy highlight reels from last season. There’s no question Miller was a little tentative running the football against Wisconsin. He said he thinks his knee is 100 percent ready to go from the injury, but he admitted being a little hesitant to open things up on the ground. We will find out how much that thought is in the back of his mind going forward, but it’s only natural that it would take a little while for Miller to get his feel and confidence back.
3. Ohio State’s defense looked good…and bad. The Buckeyes did exactly what they wanted to do against Wisconsin in this game. They committed to stopping the Badgers dangerous running game, and it cost them a few times in the passing game. It was clear from the start Luke Fickell and Everett Withers were focused on slowing down Wisconsin’s stretch running game. They held Melvin Gordon in check and limited Wisconsin to just 104 yards on 27 carries. Ryan Shazier played a tremendous football game and Curtis Grant had one of his better games. They dared Joel Stave to beat them with his arm, and to some extend he did. Stave completed 20 of his 34 passes for 295 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wisconsin’s play action had OSU fooled a couple times, and the Buckeyes weren’t able to generate enough of a pass rush to keep Jared Abbrederis from having the time he needed to get open down the field.
4. Time for someone to step up. The Buckeyes came away with a big victory Saturday, but they suffered a pretty big loss in the meantime. Meyer was understandable emotional about Christian Bryant’s broken ankle after the game, especially considering the Buckeyes just lost a team captain and one of the better players on their defense for t-he rest of the season. This team has adopted a “next man up” philosophy when it comes to injuries, but is a pretty significant injury for a defense that is still trying to find its footing. Bryant had developed into one of the better safeties in the Big Ten, and now it’s going to fall on one of the untested guys to step up and replace him. If this were next season, there’s a good chance Vonn Bell might be ready to step in and play some big minutes, but the most logical choices right now would appear to be Corey Brown or Ron Tanner. Brown is a former 5-star prospect who has never quite developed into the elite level player many expected, but maybe this is his chance. I’ve always felt he was a better back end guy than a nickel or dime back, but Fickell and the defensive staff could also decide to get creative with their plan to replace Bryant next week.
5. This Abbrederis kid is pretty good. No seriously. Either Bradley Roby isn’t nearly as good as we – and just about everyone who has ever seen him play – thought, or Jared Abbrederis is that good. Remember, this guy torched Ohio State for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Columbus two years ago, and he looked like a much better version of that guy on Saturday night. He route-running was pristine and he showed a tremendous ability to create separation with excellent footwork. What he lacked in physical ability he more than made up for with savvy and toughness, but what really impressed me was the burst he showed in and out of his breaks. I’m not sure whether this kid is a legit NFL prospect – he has had eight 100-yard receiving games the last three seasons – but he reminds me a lot of some guys who are making a living catching passes in the NFL today.
6. Bradley Roby has some work to do. I tend to think Saturday said more about Abbrederis – who hauled in 10 catches for 207 yards – than it did about Roby, but it’s hard to ignore what we saw out there. Wisconsin couldn’t get its run game off the ground, so if Roby had been able to take Abbrederis out of the game, it might have been a blowout in Columbus. Abbrederis accounted for 207 of the Badgers’ 295 yards through the air, and he had his way with Roby and the OSU secondary for most of the game. Part of that was probably game plan. Roby seemed to be focused on taking away Wisconsin’s stretch run play on the edge, but it left him vulnerable to the playaction pass and the double move from Abbrederis. Even if Abbrederis is an NFL-caliber receiver, those are exactly the kinds of guys Roby will be asked to shut down at the next level.
7. Chris Borland was a difference-maker. Let’s not forget Borland didn’t play in the game last year up in Madison, but we were reminded yesterday of what he means to the Badgers on defense. The Ohio native was all over Ohio State’s running game Saturday, racking up a game-high 16 tackles while helping to contain the Buckeye ground game. Ohio State still managed 192 yards rushing against Wisconsin’s defense, but it took Braxton Miller 22 carries to get to 83 yards, and no OSU player had a run longer than 15 yards. Before the game, Meyer talked about the fact Borland, being an Ohio guy, should be playing for the Buckeyes. They could certainly use his toughness. Curtis Grant had a solid game and Ryan Shazier is a different player, but----- Borland is the heart and soul of that Wisconsin defense.
8. So was Carlos Hyde. It didn’t take long for Carlos Hyde to make his presence felt. He didn’t put up big numbers on Saturday, but his 85 yards on 17 carries was exactly the kind of tough running the Buckeyes needed to help put this game away. He was the one who carried them to victory in overtime against Wisconsin last year, and Meyer leaned heavily on No. 34 in his second game back from a three-game suspension. He took 17 of the team’s 20 handoffs against the Badgers and averaged five yards per carry in a tough, hard-fought game that ended up a lot closer at the end than Ohio State would have liked. When things get tight, Meyer and Tom Herman are always going to fall back on their power running game, so don’t be surprised to see a lot of Hyde going forward.
9. Jordan Hall may have to take on a different role. The emergence of Hyde and OSU’s power running game Saturday meant Jordan Hall turned into a spectator against Wisconsin. After carrying the ball 64 times for over 400 yards in the first three games of the year, Hall carried the ball just one time for five yards against Wisconsin. He has only five carries the last two weeks, but Meyer said after the game he needs to find a way to get Hall more involved with the offense now that Hyde is back. It’s no secret Meyer loves the power element Hyde brings, especially when paired with Braxton Miller’s elusiveness, but it was somewhat surprising they didn’t make it a point to get Hall more touches after the way he carried this offense through the first three games. Maybe they can use Hall more in a H-back role, but then again that would mean taking Dontre Wilson off the field. Whatever it is, Meyer knows he needs to figure out how to use all his weapons and Jordan Hall has proven himself to be exactly that for the Buckeyes this season.
10. Don’t forget about the Australian. Speaking of weapons, how big was the play of Cameron Johnston on Saturday? The freshman punter from Australia averaged nearly 40 yards per punt on Saturday, and that includes six punts he dropped inside the 20-yard line. In fact, Johnston was probably Ohio State’s most important player in the fourth quarter. He pinned the Badgers at their own 8, 16 and 10 yard line with his three punts in the fourth quarter, which almost certainly helped deliver a victory for Meyer and the Buckeyes in a quarter where they didn’t play all that well on either side of the ball. (See our play of the game)
Ohio State Wisconsin Highlights & Lebron James Interview
Wins are Ohio State's best statement
September 29, 2013 Source: ESPN - Earlier in the week, Urban Meyer called Wisconsin the "king of the Big Ten." After yet another Ohio State victory on Saturday night, no questions remained about the real league royalty: the team with King James on its sideline.
Yet this was hardly a coronation. The No. 4 Buckeyes had to fight until the final minute to hold off the No. 23 Badgers 31-24 in front the third-largest crowd in the history of the Horseshoe. Plenty of people probably checked in on this prime-time game to find out just how good Ohio State truly was after it had cruised against soft competition for the first four weeks.
They might have come away still unsure.
"I don't know if we made a statement," safety C.J. Barnett said. "We know we had our doubters. Hopefully, we proved them wrong. But if not, it doesn't matter. We're just going to keep working."...
Instant Analysis: Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 24
September 28, 2013 Source: CollegeFootballNews.com - Ohio State began the night as the class of the Big Ten, and it’ll end the night solidifying that spot atop the conference pecking order.
Urban Meyer will have a few things to work on this week, such as his pass defense, but he and the staff have to be very pleased with their team’s performance against always-feisty Wisconsin...
This was not a game in which style points mattered. Gaining full control of the Big Ten Leaders Division was the immediate goal for each team...
And finally, some real, live football in Columbus, but the jury is still out as to just how good this Buckeye team is. For all of the great moments tonight, there were still a glaring concern that stuck out like Maize and Blue in the Horseshoe.
Surprisingly enough, the front-seven that everyone thought would be tested tonight against an extremely physical Wisconsin O-line held up admirably. Melvin Gordon and James White had their moments, but holding the Badgers who came into tonight third in the nation in rushing to just over 100 yards for the game is an impressive showing to say the least.
Where the concern resides is one of the expected strengths of the team, the secondary...
No. 4/3 Ohio State Stays Perfect; Defeats No. 23/24 Wisconsin, 31-24
September 21, 2013 Source: OSU Official Site - Braxton Miller throws four TD's in his return as the Buckeyes take the B1G opener and improve to 5-0
No quarterback controversy here. Braxton Miller is back and there is no question who will be leading Ohio State as it tries to get back to the top of the Big Ten.
Miller matched a career-high with four touchdown passes in his first game in three weeks and No. 4 Ohio State ran the nation's longest winning streak to 17 games with a 31-24 victory over No. 23 Wisconsin on Saturday night.
Miller missed the last two games with a sprained left knee, but didn't show the slightest bit of rust. The junior threw three touchdown passes in the first half, including a 40-yarder to Corey Brown with 1 second left that put Ohio State (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) up 24-14.
"I've been working really hard this last couple weeks because I've been hurt, fundamental-wise," Miller said. "I felt pretty good. My leg felt good, energy-wise. I wasn't out of shape."
Joel Stave and Jared Abbrederis kept the Badgers (3-2, 1-1) in it. Stave threw for 295 yards and two TDs. Abbrederis caught 10 passes for a career-best 207 yards and a score, winning most of his one-on-one matchups with star cornerback Bradley Roby.
James White ran 17 yards for a touchdown with 13:47 left in the fourth quarter to cut Ohio State's lead to 31-21.
Wisconsin got within 31-24 on a 42-yard field goal by Kyle French with 2:05 left in the fourth, and got the ball back at its own 10 with 1:29 left but Ohio State didn't even give up a first down.
The Buckeyes' first big game of the season was big enough to bring Ohio native LeBron James to the Horseshoe and turn Ohio Stadium into the most-scarlet place on earth. Just about everyone in the crowd of 105,826 - third-largest in Ohio State history - was donning the Buckeyes' shade of red.
The Buckeyes had been off the radar for the first four weeks of the season, beating up on overmatched foes and dropping a couple of spots in the polls.
The only news from Columbus was Miller's injury early in the second game of the season, though the Buckeyes didn't miss a beat without him. Kenny Guiton stepped in, led Ohio State to three blowout victories and won consecutive Big Ten offensive player of the week honors.
Guiton was so good some Buckeyes fans wondered aloud whether he should keep playing even if Miller was ready to play.
Miller said he wasn't paying any attention.
"I'm proud of Kenny, the way he stepped in," said Miller, who passed for 198 yards and ran for 83. "I look at him as a big brother."
And coach Urban Meyer said there was never a question Miller would start if he could.
"No, not if he's healthy," Meyer said.
Miller started as expected and on his first series fired a 25-yard touchdown pass to Evan Spencer.
The question for Wisconsin coming in was how well Stave could compliment the Badgers' powerful running game. The sophomore ended up carrying the offense and was never better than when he hit Abbrederis with a perfectly thrown deep ball for a 36-yard score to make it 7-7.
"No. 4, he's got my vote for All-Big Ten," Meyer said of Abbrederis.
Miller came right back and hooked up with Devin Smith with a 26-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-7.
After Drew Basil booted a 45-yard field goal with 4:33 left in the second quarter for Ohio State, Stave found Sam Arneson for an 11-yard touchdown to make it 17-14 with 1:30 left.
Too much time.
Miller drove the Buckeyes to the 40 and underthrew a deep pass on third-and-7 that hit Wisconsin cornerback Sojourn Shelton in the hands, but the freshman dropped the interception.
"Man, it slipped out of my hand," Miller said. "I told Coach let's do it again and made up for it the next throw."
Brown got behind the Wisconsin secondary by a step and Miller threw a dart that hit his receiver in the chest for a 40-yard touchdown with a second left in the half.
Miller gave the touchdown signal, a couple of claps and a clumsy hip bump with a teammate. Ohio State went to the locker room up 24-14 on the three-time defending Big Ten champions.
Meyer called the Badgers the kings of the Big Ten this week, ignoring the fact that Ohio State beat Wisconsin during its undefeated season last year. Because Ohio State was NCAA-banned from postseason ban gave, Wisconsin went to the Big Ten title game from the Leaders division.
It was a not so subtle message to the Buckeyes from Meyer, who has never met a motivational ploy he didn't try to exploit.
The Buckeyes took a big step toward taking that crown from the Badgers, though they lost starting safety Christian Bryant to a broken ankle, Meyer said.
The Buckeyes struggled to stop the Badgers and got some help from Wisconsin in the second quarter when two penalties on the same series wiped out a third-down conversion (holding) and a muffed punt by Ohio State (illegal formation).
Melvin Gordon, the nation's leading rusher, was held under 100 yards for the first time this season. He had 74 yards on 15 carries before limping off with an apparent leg injury early in the fourth quarter.
Roby had a rough day overall, but his interception of an errant pass by Stave in the third quarter set up the Buckeyes in Wisconsin territory and led to Miller's 1-yard TD pass to Brown with 2:18 left in the third quarter to make it 31-14.
Ohio St. vs California (Sep 14, 2013) Source: OSU Official Site
Scoring Summary, Team Statistics, Individual Statistics, Drive Chart, Defensive Statistics, Game Participation, Box Score, Play-by-Play, Play breakdown
Post Game Quotes from Ohio State and Wisconsin Source: OSU Official Site
 Source: ESPN
Braxton Miller Postgame Source: Bucknuts
Big Ten Helmet Stickers Source: ESPN - Ohio State QB Braxton Miller: Wait, Miller's coming off an injury? It certainly didn't look like it. Wisconsin had no answer for the dual-threat quarterback in the first half, and Miller did enough in the second half to keep Ohio State's 17-game winning streak alive. Miller is known more for his legs than his arm, but he impressed greatly with the latter against the Badgers. He completed 68 percent of his passes, threw for 198 yards and tossed four touchdowns to no interceptions. He flashed good arm strength and launched a 40-yard TD to Corey Brown with just one second left in the first half. That was one of the game's key plays, and Ohio State's undoubtedly happy to have Miller back. (Oh, and he did rush for 83 yards on 22 carries.) There's no quarterback controversy in Columbus after that performance.
CJ Barnett Wisconsin postgame Source: BuckeyeSports.com
Philly Brown Wisconsin postgame Source: BuckeyeSports.com
 
Star of the game Braxton Miller, who sat out the past two games because of a knee injury, threw four touchdown passes. Along the way, he also stepped past Cornelius Greene’s school rushing record for quarterbacks, which had stood at 2,080 for almost four decades.
Turning point On an onside kick by Wisconsin with 2:05 left, Bradley Roby batted the ball out of bounds at the Ohio State 34-yard line. The Buckeyes couldn’t gain a first down, punted with 1:40 left to the Wisconsin 10, then stopped the Badgers in four plays.
Repercussion No one said it was going to be easy against the three-time defending Big Ten champion Badgers, but Wisconsin couldn’t keep up, which poll voters might smile upon today. Bottom line: The Buckeyes now have the upper hand in the Big Ten Leaders Division.
It was over when... The Buckeyes had their way through three quarters on the strength of Braxton Miller's arm, then withstood a Badgers rally that cut the lead to one score.
Gameball goes to... Miller. Out a couple of games with a sprained left knee, Miller returned unfazed and tossed a career-high four touchdown passes for the Buckeyes.
Stat of the game... 17, 207. Ohio State pushed the nation's longest winning streak to 17. Jared Abbrederis caught 10 passes for a career-best 207 yards and a score for Wisconsin.
Ohio State held Wisconsin to just 104 yards rushing. The Badgers came into the game No. 3 nationally with 349.8 rushing yards per game.
Ohio State was sixth in the nation at 311 yards rushing. The Buckeyes gained 192 yards on the ground.
Cameron Johnston punted six times Saturday, pinning Wisconsin inside the 20-yard line each time. Eleven of Johnston's 18 punts have been downed inside the 20 yard line.
Numbers for dummies
12: Each of Wisconsin's last 12 losses have come by seven points or fewer. UW hasn't lost a game by more than a touchdown since a 34-24 loss at Michigan State on Oct. 2, 2010.
2: Times that Urban Meyer slapped the lectern while talking about the season-ending injury to captain Bryant
With the win, Ohio State extends the nation's longest winning streak to 17 games - tied for the fourth-longest streak in school history. The longest is 22 games from 1967-69.
The crowd of 105,826 marked the third-highest in Ohio Stadium history.
One-liner: LeBron pumped up the skull session crowd by telling fans that wherever he goes in the world he will “always rock Ohio State colors: Scarlet and Red.” Here’s guessing his favorite Ohio State tradition is Print Ohio.
As heard after game: “As long as you hear the victory bell, that’s what counts.”
Tweethearts: @buckeyegdo: the Shoe doesn’t seem as full without Bielema’s ego there.
Sources: ESPN, OSU Official Site, Columbus Dispatch,
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 Senior safety Christian Bryant broke his ankle, and is likely done for the season. "Just tough news, that's the hardest part of this whole job," a visibly upset Urban Meyer said regarding the loss of Bryant.
"I loved that guy. Doggone it. Hard part of the game." Bryant was injured on the defense's penultimate play of the game, as the Badgers attempted to tie the score...After the game, much of the Buckeyes' focus was on Bryant.
"That's huge. That's my partner," safety C.J. Barnett said. "It's bittersweet. We got this win but he went down. We'll have to pick it up. His leadership will be missed."
Backups Corey Brown, Ron Tanner and Vonn Bell will likely see an increased role in Bryant's absence.
"It's tough," co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said. "He's come a long way as a player and a person, but we can't hang our heads. We've got to keep going." Source: The Ozone
Video: Bryant Injury Rocks Football Team Source: Columbus Dispatch
Buckeyes Rue Loss Of Bryant To Injury Source: BuckeyeSports.com
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Punter from Down Under pins the Badgers 
With 1:40 sec remaining in the 4th quarter, and Ohio State clinging to a 31-24 lead, the Buckeyes were facing a 4th & 6 from their own 38 yard line. Cameron Johnston, the freshman punter from Australia, launched a 55-yarder to the Wisconsin 7 that backed Wisconsin up; Jared Abbrederis returned it 3 yards to their 10 yard line.
From there, the Badgers went 4 and out sealing the win for OSU. Johnston punted six times Saturday, pinning Wisconsin inside the 20-yard line each time. Eleven of Johnston's 18 punts have been downed inside the 20 yard line.
Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week: Cameron Johnston, Ohio State
Fr., P, Geelong, Australia/St. Joseph’s
Pinned Wisconsin inside its own 20-yard line on each of his six punts, including five inside the 10-yard line, helping Ohio State defeat the Badgers
Averaged 39.8 yards per punt, totaling 239 yards
Finished with a long of 55 yards on his final attempt, pinning the Badgers at their own 10-yard line with 1:29 to play in the game
Wins his first Special Teams Player of the Week honor
Last Ohio State Special Teams Player of the Week: Corey Brown (Nov. 19, 2012)
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  The Bottom Line
September 28, 2013 Source: Columbus Dispatch -
Offense (3 leaves)
Braxton Miller answered questions about his health with a strong all-around game that included pinpoint passing in the first half and hard running in the second. But the O-line didn’t get much done in the fourth quarter, when a few first downs could have set off a Horseshoe party.
Defense (3 leaves)
It seems unthinkable to imagine a Wisconsin quarterback continually torching Bradley Roby, but that’s exactly what happened — and way more than once. Roby did make a key pick, though, and his teammates did just enough to get out of Dodge. Speaking of unthinkable, OSU allowed only 104 yards rushing.
Special teams (4 leaves)
Field position was a huge factor throughout the game, and Cameron Johnston came up large. His six punts pinned the Badgers, in order, at their 10, 9, 5, 8, 16 and 10. Philly Brown caught a break when his muffed punt was nullified by a Badgers penalty.
Coaching (3 leaves)
One should never sneeze at a Big Ten win, but Ohio State clearly let off the gas after taking a 31-14 lead in the third quarter. After that, the offensive options largely became Carlos Hyde or Miller running, and the Buckeyes grinded their gears.
Opponent (3 leaves)
Without Bret Bielema pulling the strings, Wisky wasn’t the same block-headed bunch that tormented the Buckeyes. The Badgers were balanced, for one thing. Jared Abbrederis and Chris Borland usually were the best players on the field.
Officiating (2 leaves)
The big miss was a first-half face-mask penalty called on the Badgers’ Conor O’Neill, but all he did was grab Miller’s helmet. Otherwise, the crew was noted for its generosity to defensive backs, who routinely roughed up receivers — both ways — with impunity.
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LeBron James speaks to Ohio State fans about his college dream, leads Buckeyes into Ohio Stadium Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer...
Wisconsin HC Gary Andersen Ohio State Postgame Press Conference
Horseshoe heartache: Badgers' rally falls short at OSU Source: Wisconsin Official Site - Abbrederis, Borland and Stave post career-high days in 31-24 loss...
 "Any Big Ten game is a serious game for us with our goals for the end of the season. It's always a battle with [Wisconsin]. They beat us a couple years ago when we were No. 1. We're ready for them."
- Buckeyes DB Bradley Roby |
Five for Friday: Keys to a Buckeye Win
September 27, 2013 Source: The Ozone -
1. Contain the edges.
While everyone likes to talk about Wisconsin being a team that pounds the ball up the middle, it will likely be the edges that determine how well the Badgers move the ball. Running backs James White and Melvin Gordon will both be used on fly sweeps, as will receiver Jared Abbrederis. If the Ohio State defense can contain these plays and funnel everything back into the middle of the field, they should win this game. This will be the biggest responsibility that players like Doran Grant, Tyvis Powell and Joshua Perry have ever had. If they do their jobs properly, things should go relatively well for the Buckeyes.
2. Hold the Badgers to field goals.
The Badgers have scored touchdowns in just 11 of their 18 (61.1%) trips into the red zone, which is good for just eighth in the Big Ten. Ohio State, meanwhile, is tied for the top overall red zone defense in the conference, allowing opponents to score just 66.7% of the time they reach the Buckeye 20-yard line and beyond. If Ohio State is going to win, both of the these tendencies need to reflect Saturday's game. Both teams are going to be moving the ball in this one, but the game could be decided by those final 20 yards. The team who kicks more field goals could very well lose this game.
3. Spread the field.
This is Urban Meyer and Tom Herman's vision for this offense. Stretch every last inch of the defense, until something breaks. Eventually the stress is too much to bear. If the Badgers want to pack the middle in order to stop the inside run, then that will just invite the wide stuff with the likes of Braxton Miller and Dontre Wilson. Given Ohio State's ability to run up the middle, Wisconsin's defense will have almost no choice but to try and stop that first. It will leave them vulnerable elsewhere on the field, and it will be up to Miller and Herman to pick the weakest spots to attack. For instance, freshman cornerback Sojourn Shelton would seem a logical candidate to attack. The play-action over the middle should be very effective also, as linebackers come crashing down to defend the run. Ohio State's plan of attack should be just fine; it will simply come down to execution. The intention, however, will be to spread the Badger defense out and stress the weaknesses.
4. Let Braxton Miller shake off the rust.
The Buckeyes could start rather slowly in this game as Miller gets his football legs back under him. Even though he's had a week of practice, doing it in a game is a little different. If he starts slowly, fans can't be murmuring for Kenny Guiton. They need to give Miller time to get comfortable. There is no doubt that Meyer will give him time, but it would be beneficial to Miller and the team's psyche if the crowd was as patient with Miller as Meyer would be.
5. Ride Carlos Hyde to victory.
If this game is close, then the fourth quarter should feature about 15 carries from Carlos Hyde. He is a closer, and he'll be fresher than anybody else on the field. Running backs can talk about being hungry, but Hyde is starving. You can see his football ribs poking out. He wants the ball very badly this week, and I would be surprised if he isn't fed heavily to close this game out...
5 things to watch for: Ohio State Wisconsin
September 27, 2013 Source: The Ohio State Lantern -
1. Melvin Gordon and the Wisconsin running game.
Somehow, the Wisconsin Badgers continue to find talented running backs. Not even a year after the departure of the NCAA’s all-time career rushing touchdown leader Montee Ball, the Badgers haven’t missed a beat. Redshirt-sophomore Melvin Gordon and senior James White are first and 10th in rushing yards in the nation, respectively, and will look to test a young Buckeye front seven. Junior linerbacker Ryan Shazier should help to plug some holes in the middle of the field, but Gordon will keep the entire defense on their toes throughout the game. In the end, it could come down to which team controls its opponent’s rushing game more — the Badgers are first, and the Buckeyes are second in the country in rushing yards.
2. How often will Kenny Guiton see the field?
Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer has made it clear that junior quarterback Braxton Miller will be the starter if he is healthy enough to play. As that time approaches — Miller is 90 percent back, Meyer told the media Wednesday — it still remains in the dark how much time redshirt-senior quarterback Kenny Guiton will play. Stepping in for Miller, Guiton has thrown for 664 yards and 13 touchdowns and broken two different school records. It may be a struggle for Guiton to see the field despite his success due to Miller’s return. Meyer has said before he wants to find a way for both quarterbacks to see the field, but isn’t sure how much the game will allow it. If the game remains close, don’t be surprised if Guiton is relegated to a position on the bench.
3. Can the Buckeyes handle the step up in competition?
No disrespect to Buffalo, San Diego State, Florida A&M and California, but Wisconsin is the best team the Buckeyes will have played so far this season. California pushed OSU in week three but still ended up losing by 18 points to Meyer’s squad. However, the Badgers are a completely different story. Unlike the Golden Bears, Wisconsin is a complete team — the Badgers are in the top 25 in both scoring offense and defense this season and have won by an average of 41.3 points in their three victories in 2013. The only blemish on their record so far is a two-point loss to Arizona State on a controversial call that could have potentially swung the game in the other direction. If Wisconsin can continue its high level of play, it will be tough for OSU to dominate like it has in its four contests so far this season.
4. Is the OSU front defensive front line ready for Big Ten football?
It is no secret that Meyer is a bit uneasy about the depth on the defensive front for the Buckeyes. Defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Luke Fickell said Monday the defensive coaches “are still developing and have got some depth issues,” even after the nonconference season. Meyer has said the defensive line is still inexperienced, but he is looking forward to getting sophomore Adolphus Washington back against the Badgers from a groin injury. However, Wisconsin sports an offensive line that averages 6 feet 6 inches and 322 pounds in size and will be looking to wear down the Buckeyes. If they are able to dominate the time of possession, Fickell and defensive line coach Mike Vrabel will need to keep their guys rotating in order to keep them fresh. Saturday’s game will be won or lost in the trenches, so how OSU can handle that will be important.
5. Saturday Night Lights
All week, players like redshirt-junior cornerback Bradley Roby and redshirt-senior offensive lineman Jack Mewhort have been talking about how great the atmosphere at Ohio Stadium is going to be under the lights Saturday night. Roby even went as far as to say it is “electric” due to “everyone (having) all day to get drunk.” Although that might be the case, OSU must be able to handle its emotions early in the game in order to not give up any big plays. The Badgers should be amped up as well, but OSU freshmen like running back Dontre Wilson and defensive lineman Joey Bosa must show their maturity if the Buckeyes look to send Wisconsin back to Madison unhappy.
 Five key factors for OSU victory
September 27, 2013 Source: Columbus Dispatch -
1. Win the trenches
This will be meat-and-potatoes, Midwestern football. For all the talk about Melvin Gordon and Braxton Miller, the team that controls the line of scrimmage will have a huge advantage. That will pose a big test to Ohio State’s young defensive linemen, who haven’t faced an offensive front like Wisconsin’s. The Buckeyes must be both stout and disciplined against the big-play duo of Gordon and James White.
2. Run Miller early
Miller hasn’t seen extended action since the opener, and all eyes will be on him, assuming he’s the starting quarterback for Ohio State. It’s important for Miller to show he can be an effective runner early, or Wisconsin will adjust its defense accordingly. Miller also has to get in sync quickly with his receivers to knock off the rust from not playing. A strong start also would prevent murmurings in the stadium about bringing in Kenny Guiton.
3. Get Hyde rolling
Carlos Hyde was frustrated last year against Wisconsin because he didn’t get more than 15 carries. Getting the big running back back into the flow after what was not much than a cameo last week against Florida A&M could be crucial. But how will coach Urban Meyer divvy up the touches among Hyde, Jordan Hall and others in the backfield?
4. Don’t be conservative
Meyer second-guessed himself last year for having a conservative game plan against the Badgers. This year, with more offensive options, look for the Buckeyes to try to hit some deep passes. Miller and Devin Smith have a history of that against Wisconsin (remember 2011’s winner?)
5. Ride the emotion
The Horseshoe is a special place in prime time, and the Buckeyes love to ride that wave of emotion. They just have to make sure they don’t crash into a reef as a result. The Buckeyes have plenty of young players, and, for many of them, this will be their first time in such a game. They have to know how to maintain their poise.
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| Urban Meyer told reporters after practice Wednesday that junior quarterback Braxton Miller is "good to go" and figures to start Saturday's Big Ten opener against Wisconsin at Ohio Stadium (8 p.m., ABC). Source: Bucknuts |
Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon/James White vs. Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier
Over the years, Wisconsin has been known for their mauling offense lines and talented running backs who take advantage of the hogs up front. But redshirt sophomore RB Melvin Gordon (6-1, 207, 4.54, #25) creates a lot of yardage by himself, using his short-area explosion and natural toughness to churn out big runs. He leads the Nation with 624 rushing yards, averaging 156.0 yards on just 13.3 carries per game (11.8 yard per rush average). While Gordon has top-40 draft potential, senior RB James White (5-10, 195, 4.52, #20) has a draftable skill-set himself. Doing his best to limit the Badgers impressive 1-2 combo at running back will be Ohio State stand-out junior OLB Ryan Shazier (6-2, 230, 4.58, #10).
Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis vs. Ohio State CB Bradley Roby
Yes, the Badgers are best known for their ground game and with inconsistent quarterback play and talent at running back, who could blame them? But don't let that be an excuse to overlook senior WR Jared Abbrederis (6-1, 190, 4.52, #4), who already has 23 catches on the season, which is nearly halfway to his 2012 reception total. He has average size and speed, but does all the little things well and is a very detailed pass catcher. Abbrederis will be tested when lined up against Ohio State junior CB Bradley Roby (5-11, 192, 4.39, #1), who is one of the top players at his position in the country. Roby has slowly been knocking off the rust over the first few games and will need to limit any big pass plays.
Ohio State QB Braxton Miller vs. Wisconsin ILB Chris Borland
Senior QB Kenny Guiton (6-2, 208, 4.67, #13) provided valuable relief the past few weeks, but junior QB Braxton Miller (6-1, 215, 4.46, #5) is cleared to play and expected to start, regaining his job as the Buckeyes No. 1 quarterback. Whether or not Guiton should remain the starter, Miller's athleticism makes him the best option for the Ohio State offense. It won't be an easy first game back as he faces a Wisconsin defense that ranks sixth in the nation, allowing only 243.3 total yards per game. The Badgers are led by senior ILB Chris Borland (5-11, 246, 4.76, #44), who lacks ideal height and speed, but he has outstanding instincts and does a nice job maneuvering between the trash to make the tackle.
Wisconsin TE Jacob Pedersen/Brian Wozniak vs. Ohio State SS Christian Bryant
If the Buckeyes are able to slow down the Badgers' run game and Roby can take away Abbrederis, Wisconsin will need to involve their tight ends in the passing game. Senior TE Jacob Pedersen (6-4, 240, 4.78, #48) is in a similar mold as former Badger tight ends like Garrett Graham and Owen Daniels, but is questionable for this match-up after a sprained left knee last week. If Pedersen is out, look for senior TE Brian Wozniak (6-4, 255, 4.87, #85), who has one catch this season (six-yard reception for a touchdown), to step up. Senior SS Christian Bryant (5-9, 193, 4.54, #2) is second on the Buckeyes with 21 total tackles and is tied for the team lead in interceptions (1). Source: NFLDraftScout.com
Ohio State linebackers Curtis Grant and Ryan Shazier vs. Wisconsin running backs James White and Melvin Gordon:
White leads all active FBS players with 3,013 career rushing yards. Gordon leads all of college football in rushing this season. Anybody got a wild guess what the Badgers will want to do offensively on Saturday? While OSU’s defensive line will play a big role in slowing down the Badgers’ running game, Grant and Shazier shoulder the biggest load, shedding blockers to make stops.
Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby vs. Wisconsin receiver Jared Abbrederis:
How many years of eligibility does Abbrederis have anyway? In all seriousness, Abbrederis has been a big-play threat for three years now. While Wisconsin’s forte is running the ball, don’t be surprised if QB Joel Stave takes some shots downfield with Abbrederis, trying to take advantage of OSU if they overpursue the run.
OSU receivers Devin Smith and Philly Brown vs. Wisconsin cornerback Sojourn Shelton:
Smith and Brown are OSU’s leading receivers this season, with Smith (17.6 ypr) being more of a deep threat than Brown (10.6). Shelton is a freshman making his first start in Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes might pick on the youngster. In fact, six of Wisconsin’s top eight DBs are freshmen or sophomores. Can OSU exploit that inexperience?
Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller vs. Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland: Miller is expected to be back in action after nearly three games off with a sprained knee. It would be wise for the Buckeyes’ quarterback to know where the Badgers’ best defender is. Miller doesn’t want to take a direct hit from 246-pound Borland, and holding the Kettering native with play fakes in the passing game will be key for Miller, too. Source: News Herald |
Bradley Robey Previews Wisconsin
Noah Spence previews Wisconsin
Jack Mewhort previews Wisconsin
Jack Mewhort previews Wisconsin
Source Player Interviews: BuckeyeSports.com
Tony Gerdeman's no-frill but complete report on the comments of Urban Meyer and Gary Anderson on today's Big Ten teleconference... Meyer said that when he was here as a grad assistant, this was not a big rivalry, but it is now. He said he can't imagine two better backs on the same team than what Wisconsin has. Meyer said that there is no package where both Kenny Guiton and Braxton Miller will be on the field at the same time... September 24, 2013 Source: The Ozone
Urban Meyer met with the media Mon to preview Saturday’s Big Ten opener between Buckeyes and Badgers
Meyer On Miller, Wisconsin
September 23, 2013 Source: Bucknuts Site - “I thought our guys came out of the chute well,” Meyer said. “That’s four games in a row where they have come out and played hard. That’s a sign of guys who like to play. My concern with a game like (Florida A&M) is to not show up and respect the game the right way.
“This is a big one,” Meyer said. “The Big Ten season starts. This is our goal and our focus. We have a lot of respect for Wisconsin. We will have our hands full. They have an excellent coach (in former Meyer assistant Gary Andersen).
“They are the king of the Big Ten right now. It’s a chance to go and compete with a team that has played in the Rose Bowl the last (three) years.”...
Defensive Coordinator/LB Coach Luke Fickell spoke with the media Monday.
Wide Receivers Coach Zach Smith spoke with the media Monday.
No. 4/3 Ohio State Opens B1G Play vs. No. 23/24 Wisconsin
September 23, 2013 Source: Ohio State Official Athletics Site - Game to be televised in primetime by ABC at 8 p.m. ET...
First and 10
• Ohio State enters the game with the nation's longest winning streak at 16 games.
• Ohio State has won four of the last five meetings vs. Wisconsin, including the last two.
• Ohio State is 21-for-22 in the red zone this season with 20 TDs and one FG.
•Ohio State leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth in the NCAA in scoring with 52.5 ppg. OSU also leads the Big Ten in passer efficiency (167.0).
• Saturday's game will feature the nation's No. 3 (Wisconsin, 349.8 ypg) and No. 6 (Ohio State, 311.0 ypg)-ranked rushing attacks.
• Ohio State is averaging 529.0 yards of total offense per game while giving up only 280.2.
• The Buckeye have totaled 1,211 yards of offense over the past two games (608 at Cal and 603 vs. FAMU).
• Junior Braxton Miller (2,068) needs 13 yards rushing to pass Cornelius Greene (2,080) and become Ohio State's all-time leading rusher among QBs.
• Senior RB Jordan Hall leads the Big Ten in scoring with 50 points (8 TDs, 1 2PT) and is tied for first with eight TDs scored.
• Head coach Urban Meyer is 46-4 in his career in games played in August/September.
SCOUTING THE BADGERS
The No. 23/24 Badgers are 3-1 on the season with wins over UMass (45-0), Tennessee Tech (48-0) and Purdue (41-10). Their only loss came at Arizona State Sept. 14, 32-30, in the final seconds.
The Badgers, who rank third in the NCAA with 349.8 rushing yards per game, are led offensively by sophomore RB Melvin Gordon, who leads the Big Ten with 156.0 rushing yards per game to go along with seven TDs. He shares running back duties with senior James White who is averaging 110.5 ypg and three TDs. Gordon and White rushed for 147 (3TDs) and 145 yards (1 TD), respectively, in the win over Purdue last Saturday in Madison. Sophomore QB Joel Stave has completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 761 yards and six TDs. His favorite target is senior WR Jared Abbrederis who has 23 catches for 365 yards and three TDs.
Wisconsin's defense, who has allowed only 10.5 ppg this season, is led by senior LB Chris Borland's 30 tackles.
The Badgers are led by first-year head coach Gary Andersen. Andersen came to Madison after four years at Utah State and one at Southern Utah. Andersen, an assistant coach under Urban Meyer at Utah in 2004, has a career coaching record of 33-32.
Ohio State Wisconsin Game Notes
Curtis Grant spoke with the media Monday.
Evan Spencer spoke with the media Monday.
Corey Linsley spoke with the media Monday.
| Meyer said Wedsnesday that DE Adolphus Washington has bounced back from a groin injury that has cost him the last two games and he should also be in the lineup on Saturday. Meyer confirmed that freshman WR James Clark will be out for the year after suffering an ankle injury Saturday. He underwent surgery on Sunday.
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NEW DEPTH CHART RELEASED
September 25, 2013 Source: Eleven Warriors - Ohio State released an updated depth chart for the Big Ten opener against Wisconsin. Unlike last week's depth chart for Florida A&M, this one features some noteworthy changes and is rather informative in own right. In this section, I walk through the changes and what they may mean.
For the first time this season, Kenny Guiton and Braxton Miller are listed as "OR" on the quarterback depth chart. Previously, Miller was the starting quarterback who was an eleventh hour scratch before the games against California and Florida A&M. Ohio State's coaches may still not have made a determination of which the two will start, though Braxton Miller is cleared to play.
This situation at least leads to flashbacks to the 2005 game against Texas, when Ohio State coaches were unwilling to reinstall Troy Smith as the starting quarterback after his two-game suspension for a $500 handshake iat the end of the 2004 season. Remember, material self-interest for college football players used to be a bad thing before it affected Johnny Manziel.
Juggling between Troy Smith and Justin Zwick led to inefficiencies in the offense that cost Ohio State would could have been another signature win in the Tressel era against the eventual national champions of that year.
While Ohio State fans will note that the situation is only slightly analogous because Guiton or Miller would be a much better option than Zwick if he were in the choice set, this situation is still enough to create some alarm in those of us who vividly recall Urban Meyer's last year at Florida. That Ohio State coaches have also hinted they may find a way to get Guiton and Miller on the same field at the same time reminded me of Urban Meyer's "three-QB offense" from 2010...
There are several other noteworthy changes. Carlos Hyde is now the second team tailback behind Jordan Hall. Reinstated for the game against Florida A&M, he was not on that week's depth chart.
Several first-year players were removed from the depth chart. James Clark will sit the rest of the season with an injury and was taken off the depth chart at the Z receiver position. Jalin Marshall, Mike Mitchell, and Corey Smith have been removed from the depth chart. Not one of these players saw the field of play against Florida A&M and the change on the depth chart suggests a redshirt year for all three in 2013.
Game Data: Wisconsin at Ohio State
Source:Bucknuts.com - Click for pertinent information, depth charts, a prediction and much more...
 Columbus Weather Forecast
 Sepember 27, 2013 Source: Columbus Dispatch |
Cover Story: Linebacker Ryan Shazier lives, learns from his father's advice
Ohio State Spotlight: Curtis Grant
Meet a Buckeye: Chase Farris
Who has the edge: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
Game predictions: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
Play of the week: Two-tight, I swing lead
& more...
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A Message from Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer
Ohio State’s Block ‘O’ seeks to rip chant off list
Source: The Ohio State Lantern - Traditionally, many students in the section cheer, “O-H-I-O, rip his f—— head off” after OSU kicks the ball. An email was sent to current season ticket holders Sept. 19 requesting them to join Block “O” in the new cheer, “O-H-I-O, let’s go Bucks!”...
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin 2013: Game Preview September 27, 2013 Source: Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Preview Source: The Ozone
Week 5 - Wisconsin at Ohio State
Source: CollegeFootballNews.com - Why Wisconsin Might Win: Ohio State is ninth in the nation against the run allowing just 80 yards per game, with Cal the only team to rush for over 100 yards and a score, but there’s just one problem – no one on the schedule so far has any ability to pound away. The Bears have the best rushing attack OSU has faced, and they average a whopping 117 yards per game – that’s a day’s pay for the three-headed rushing monster of Melvin Gordon, James White and Corey Clement. That’s not to say that OSU can’t toughen up and come up with a good day against the Badger running game, but considering the front seven was a big question mark coming into the season, and since it hasn’t been tested in any way, it’s going to be a whole new world when the game starts getting physical.
Why Ohio State Might Win: Inexplicably, considering Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly looked like Peyton Manning against the Badger secondary, Purdue never, ever tried any sort of a deep downfield pass to test the shaky corners – Ohio State won’t make the same mistake. The Buckeye receivers are making big plays in bunches, with Devin Smith coming up with a huge start to the season, and Corey Brown and Chris Fields not far behind. The ASU receivers were good, but the OSU targets are far better and far more dangerous. If Miller can settle in and get a little time, he should be able to open it up at will on the outside. The more the UW linebackers and safeties have to hang back just a wee bit, the more room there should be for the red hot Buckeye runners, particularly …
What Will Happen: Wisconsin will run the ball effectively and expose a Buckeye defensive front that needs a little work, but it won’t be enough. The Ohio State passing game will give the Badger corners problems, while the linebackers won’t be able to handle Miller and Hall in the open field. Every time it seems like Wisconsin will make a big push, the Buckeyes will answer.
Prediction: Ohio State 37 … Wisconsin 31...
Preview: No. 23 Wisconsin at No. 4 Ohio State Source: Eleven Warriors
Badgers-Buckeyes rivalry reaches its peak| September 25, 2013 Source: ESPN - Though it’s the Big Ten opener for Ohio State and we haven't yet reached October, this game might just decide the Leaders Division race. That should come as no surprise, as these two teams have played several high-stakes showdowns in recent years... |
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers Complete Game Preview Source: Bleacher Report
Coach Earle Bruce Talks The OSU Wisconsin Game (not FAMU)
Game of the Week: Wisconsin at Ohio State
Source: WhatIfSports.com
Braxton Miller is Ohio State's starting quarterback. This was the message Buckeyes' head coach Urban Meyer relayed to the media following Ohio State's 76-0 dismantling of Florida A&M last Saturday.
Miller's understudy, Kenny Guiton, has made a case to earn the starting gig following back-to-back wins at California and against the Rattlers. He's completed over 68 percent of his passes this season for 664 yards and 13 touchdowns - a school-record six against Florida A&M - with two interceptions and 92 rush yards against the Golden Bears. Now, coach Meyer's message to the media did come with a caveat that Guiton has earned playing time. How exactly Meyer and his offensive coordinators decide to utilize the tag-team quarterbacks isn't exactly clear.
Despite the passing prowess of Guiton, the Bucks still love to run the rock. They are sixth in the country at 311 rush yards per game. Jordan Hall has averaged over six yards per carry this season for over 400 yards and eight touchdowns. However, Carlos Hyde has returned from suspension and is working his way back up the depth chart in time for the Badgers. He carried the ball five times for 41 yards against the Rattlers in limited action. I think Hall and Hyde share the workload on Saturday night.
Even with a couple flubs on defense, against Buffalo Week 1 and at Cal Week 3, the Buckeyes still rank in the Top 15 in total defense (280.3 yards allowed per game) and Top 25 in points allowed (15.3).
The Badgers destroyed their first two opponents, Massachusetts and Tennessee Tech, by a combined score of 93-0. They then traveled to Arizona State and got hosed by the refs in the game's final seconds. Whether or not their kicker would have booted the game-winning field goal is debatable, but the Pac-12 commish publically criticized the officials' handling of the situation. If not for that, the Badgers would be 4-0, following a win over Purdue last Saturday, heading into their game against Ohio State.
The team lost Montee Ball to the NFL, but this backfield doesn't rebuild, it reloads. The three-headed running-back-by-committee is led by senior James White with 61 carries for 442 yards and three touchdowns, but we can't ignore sophomore sensation Melvin Gordon's 11.8 yards per rush on 53 carries! He's scored seven touchdowns in 2013. Corey Clement rounds out the RBBC with 44 carries for 334 yards and four scores.
It's truly hard to gauge the Badgers' defense with wins over a low-end FBS school, an FCS school and Purdue, which is ranked 78th in our WhatIfSports.com college football power rankings. In their only true test, Arizona State racked up 32 points on their defense.
We simulated the Badgers and Buckeyes 101 times and it's the Buckeyes winning 70.3 percent of the time by an average score of 25-19.
Week 5 Game of the Week: Wisconsin at Ohio State
Source: Huff Post - According to 50,000 games played by the Predictalator, Ohio State wins at home over Wisconsin 66.6% of the time and by an average score of 32.9-21.5...
| Where They Rank: Big Ten Team Statistics through 9/21/13 |
| SCORING OFFENSE | G | TD | FG | XPT | 2XP | DXP | Saf | Points | Avg/G | | 1. | Ohio State | 4 | 29 | 2 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 210 | 52.5 | | 6. | Wisconsin | 4 | 22 | 4 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 164 | 41.0 |
| SCORING DEFENSE | G | TD | FG | XPT | 2XP | DXP | Saf | Points | Avg/G | | 1. | Wisconsin | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 10.5 | | 4. | Ohio State | 4 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 15.2 |
| TOTAL OFFENSE | G | Rush | Pass | Plays | Yards | Avg/P | TD | Avg/G | | 1. | Wisconsin | 4 | 1399 | 792 | 274 | 2191 | 8.0 | 21 | 547.8 | | 3. | Ohio State | 4 | 1244 | 872 | 305 | 2116 | 6.9 | 29 | 529.0 |
| TOTAL DEFENSE | G | Rush | Pass | Plays | Yards | Avg/P | TD | Avg/G | | 2. | Wisconsin | 4 | 305 | 668 | 258 | 973 | 3.8 | 5 | 243.2 | | 3. | Ohio State | 4 | 319 | 802 | 264 | 1121 | 4.2 | 7 | 280.2 |
| RUSHING OFFENSE | G | Att | Yards | Avg. | TD | Yards/G | | 1. | Wisconsin | 4 | 175 | 1399 | 8.0 | 15 | 349.8 | | 2. | Ohio State | 4 | 186 | 1244 | 6.7 | 14 | 311.0 |
| RUSHING DEFENSE | G | Att | Yards | Avg. | TD | Yards/G | | 2. | Wisconsin | 4 | 122 | 305 | 2.5 | 5 | 76.2 | | 4. | Ohio State | 4 | 122 | 319 | 2.6 | 1 | 79.8 |
| PASS OFFENSE | G | Comp | Att | Int | Pct. | Yards | Avg. | TD | Avg/G | | 5. | Ohio State | 4 | 82 | 119 | 3 | 68.9 | 872 | 7.3 | 15 | 218.0 | | 9. | Wisconsin | 4 | 62 | 99 | 3 | 62.6 | 792 | 8.0 | 6 | 198.0 |
| PASS DEFENSE | G | Comp | Att | Int | Pct. | Yards | Avg. | TD | Avg/G | | 2. | Wisconsin | 4 | 69 | 136 | 4 | 50.7 | 668 | 4.9 | 0 | 167.0 | | 5. | Ohio State | 4 | 82 | 142 | 5 | 57.7 | 802 | 5.6 | 6 | 200.5 |
| PASS EFFICIENCY | G | Comp | Att | Int | Pct. | Yards | TD | Effic. | | 1. | Ohio State | 4 | 82 | 119 | 3 | 68.9 | 872 | 15 | 167.0 | | 6. | Wisconsin | 4 | 62 | 99 | 3 | 62.6 | 792 | 6 | 143.8 |
| PASS DEFENSE EFFIC. | G | Comp | Att | Int | Pct. | Yards | TD | Effic. | | 2. | Wisconsin | 4 | 69 | 136 | 4 | 50.7 | 668 | 0 | 86.1 | | 6. | Ohio State | 4 | 82 | 142 | 5 | 57.7 | 802 | 6 | 112.1 |
| KICKOFF RETURNS | G | No. | Yards | TD | Avg. | | 3. | Ohio State | 4 | 6 | 152 | 0 | 25.3 | | 5. | Wisconsin | 4 | 7 | 164 | 0 | 23.4 |
| PUNT RETURN AVG | G | No. | Yards | TD | Avg. | | 4. | Ohio State | 4 | 11 | 160 | 0 | 14.5 | | 9. | Wisconsin | 4 | 12 | 89 | 0 | 7.4 |
| PUNTING | G | No. | Yards | Avg/P | Ret. | Avg. | TB | Net/P | | 2. | Ohio State | 4 | 12 | 490 | 40.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 40.8 | | 4. | Wisconsin | 4 | 14 | 579 | 41.4 | 24 | 1.7 | 1 | 38.2 |
| KICKOFF COVERAGE | G | No. | Yards | Avg. | Return | TB | Net Avg. | | 3. | Ohio State | 4 | 35 | 2146 | 61.3 | 468 | 9 | 41.5 | | 4. | Wisconsin | 4 | 30 | 1912 | 63.7 | 506 | 7 | 41.0 |
| SACKS BY | G | No. | Yards | | 2. | Ohio State | 4 | 9 | 67 | | 10. | Wisconsin | 4 | 5 | 30 |
| SACKS AGAINST | G | No. | Yards | | 2. | Wisconsin | 4 | 3 | 17 | | 5. | Ohio State | 4 | 5 | 22 |
| 3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS | G | Conv. | Att. | Pct. | | 1. | Wisconsin | 4 | 28 | 54 | 51.9 | | 6. | Ohio State | 4 | 26 | 54 | 48.1 |
| OPP 3RD-DN CONVERT | G | Conv. | Att. | Pct. | | 2. | Ohio State | 4 | 13 | 57 | 22.8 | | 5. | Wisconsin | 4 | 18 | 59 | 30.5 |
| TIME OF POSSESSION | G | Poss. Time | Avg/G | | 2. | Ohio State | 4 | 135:09 | 33:47 | | 4. | Wisconsin | 4 | 132:52 | 33:13 |
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MENDING BADGERS: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Wisconsin may be without or may play with several injured players.
They include the following: TE Jacob Pedersen (knee), LB Brendan Kelly (hamstring), C Dallas Lewallen (ankle), CBs Peniel Jean (leg) and T.J. Reynard (unspecified), and WRs Kenzel Doe (hamstring) and Jeff Duckworth (hamstring). None practiced on Tuesday.
Lewallen has a good chance to play. Pedersen, who caught a TD pass in last year's game against Ohio State, is wearing a knee brace after tearing the medial-collateral ligament in his knee. The fifth-year senior says he thinks he can play
WRs coach Chris Beatty didn't sound confident he would have either Doe or Duckworth.
"I wouldn't rule them out," Beatty said, "but I'm not counting on it."
Jean was injured in the first quarter against Purdue. Reynard is out this week, and it is too soon to tell about Jean. Source: Associated Press
@BadgerFootball MT @B1Gfootball: #Badgers RB Melvin Gordon earns 1st career POW honor after rushing for 147 yards & career-best 3 TDs vs. Purdue.
Wisconsin: Cumulative Season Statistics
Wisconsin football head coach Gary Andersen met with members of the media Monday at Camp Randall Stadium to review the Badgers' win over Purdue and look ahead to Saturday night's game at Ohio State.
Transcript: Andersen looks ahead to prime time matchup with OSU
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