Wisconsin Badgers versus Ohio State Buckeyes should have carried a great deal of hype. While people are still excited about the matchup, it is nowhere near what it could have been if Badgers beat Illinois last week. Writing up the Wisconsin-Illinois preview last week, I did not expect a letdown. I still don’t know how Wisconsin lost that game without allowing them in the red zone, and Illinois did not take the lead until the clock read 00:00. Now, they take on Ohio State. Badgers could make Illinois’ loss disappear with a huge win this week. It will not be easy as some believe the Buckeyes to be the best team in the nation. Can Wisconsin do the unthinkable?

Three Storylines I Care About
1. Justin Fields versus the Badgers front seven – Wisconsin’s front seven is one of the best in football. Chris Orr, Jack Sanborn, and Zach Baun have all been vital parts of the team. Reggie Corbin tore them up a little bit, so, does that mean Fields can too? This is the first real mobile quarterback they’re facing all year. Baun will need to keep contain and not lose that. You also wonder if Jim Leonhard will use a spy with Orr or Sanborn. I doubt it as they’re both vital players.

2. Slowing down Chase Young – For all the hype around Ohio State’s offense, Chase Young might be the best player on this team. He will be the second pick overall in the NFL Draft. Young is a dominant edge-rusher and looks like an absolute freak. We haven’t heard much about the Badgers offensive line this season. This is their moment to shine. Jack Coan is going to have to make some throws to win this game, and the more Young stays out of his face, the better the Badgers will be on Saturday.

3. Turnovers need to happen to win – If Wisconsin will win this football game, they force a fumble or an early interception deep in Ohio State territory early in this game. That’s honestly one of the only paths I see to Wisconsin winning the game. The problem here could be that Fields has one turnover all season. Same with J.K. Dobbins.

Predicted Player of the Game if Wisconsin wins…
Jake Ferguson – I’m providing a bailout because I don’t want to spoil the ending of this blog post. Jeffery Okudah is a lockdown corner for Ohio State and will likely be on Quintez Cephus. That means another pass-catcher will have to step up, therefore, I’m going with Jake Ferguson. Badgers are going have to throw the ball to win the game likely, and I’m going with the recent go-to-guy for Jack Coan.

Prediction
Sigh… As much as I want to say Wisconsin and go full homer here, I cannot. Wisconsin can keep it close, but at the end of it, Ohio State will come out victorious. The weather is going to be awful at Ohio Stadium which might favor the Badgers, but the Buckeyes end up getting a final score to deliver a brutal blow to Wisconsin. Ohio State 20 Wisconsin 17.

Charlie.