2010 Wisconsin Badgers Game Preview
written by: BB73, Buckeyeskickbuttocks, Bucklion, DaddyBigBucks, Fungo Squiggly, JCOSU86, and jwinslow
written by: BB73, Buckeyeskickbuttocks, Bucklion, DaddyBigBucks, Fungo Squiggly, JCOSU86, and jwinslow
Preface
This Saturday the newly-ranked #1 Buckeyes head to Camp Randall to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin has faced the No. 1 team in the country 19 times and is 3-16 in such games. Only eight of those games have taken place at Camp Randall Stadium, where the Badgers are 3-5 against No. 1 teams.
Ohio State is 132-104-12 all-time when facing a ranked opponent, and 41-41-7 on the road against ranked teams. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 38-13 overall and 13-6 on the road against ranked teams.
Since the start of the 2004 season (when head coach Bret Bielema joined the UW coaching staff as defensive coordinator) the Badgers have compiled a 40-4 record at Camp Randall Stadium. That is the best home record in the Big Ten over that span (Ohio State is 41-5 over that time period) and tied for third-best in the country.
Under Bret Bielema, Wisconsin is 5-10 against top-25 teams, and 0-4 against top-10 teams.
Date and TimeThe Badgers have faced a #1 Buckeye team on 7 occasions. In those games, they are 0-5 in Columbus and are 1-1 in Madison, with the win coming in the 'Bad Water' game in 1942, which we'll talk more about later. Here is a look at all 19 of Wisconsin's previous games against the top-ranked team in the country:
Date.....Opponent.....Result...Location
11-07-36 Northwestern L, 18-26 Evanston
11-23-40 Minnesota....L, 13-22 Madison
11-22-41 Minnesota....L, 06-41 Minneapolis
10-31-42 Ohio State...W, 17-07 Madison
10-16-43 Notre Dame...L, 00-50 Madison
10-21-44 Notre Dame...L, 13-28 South Bend
11-10-62 Northwestern W, 37-06 Madison
01-01-63 USC..........L, 37-42 Pasadena
10-24-64 Ohio State...L, 03-28 Columbus
11-08-69 Ohio State...L, 07-62 Columbus
10-13-73 Ohio State...L, 00-24 Madison
10-12-74 Ohio State...L, 07-52 Columbus
10-18-75 Ohio State...L, 00-56 Columbus
10-15-77 Michigan.....L, 00-56 Ann Arbor
09-12-81 Michigan.....W, 21-14 Madison
10-12-85 Iowa.........L, 13-23 Madison
09-24-88 Miami........L, 03-23 Miami
11-15-97 Michigan.....L, 16-26 Madison
11-03-07 Ohio State...L, 17-38 Columbus
11-07-36 Northwestern L, 18-26 Evanston
11-23-40 Minnesota....L, 13-22 Madison
11-22-41 Minnesota....L, 06-41 Minneapolis
10-31-42 Ohio State...W, 17-07 Madison
10-16-43 Notre Dame...L, 00-50 Madison
10-21-44 Notre Dame...L, 13-28 South Bend
11-10-62 Northwestern W, 37-06 Madison
01-01-63 USC..........L, 37-42 Pasadena
10-24-64 Ohio State...L, 03-28 Columbus
11-08-69 Ohio State...L, 07-62 Columbus
10-13-73 Ohio State...L, 00-24 Madison
10-12-74 Ohio State...L, 07-52 Columbus
10-18-75 Ohio State...L, 00-56 Columbus
10-15-77 Michigan.....L, 00-56 Ann Arbor
09-12-81 Michigan.....W, 21-14 Madison
10-12-85 Iowa.........L, 13-23 Madison
09-24-88 Miami........L, 03-23 Miami
11-15-97 Michigan.....L, 16-26 Madison
11-03-07 Ohio State...L, 17-38 Columbus
Ohio State is 7-3 at home and 27-13 away from home in night games (games starting 5 p.m. or later local time) since 1959 and 34-16 in night games all-time. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 16-10 in night games and 8-3 in Big Ten night games away from Ohio Stadium. Tressel's teams are 3-3 at home in night games.
Ohio State is 132-104-12 all-time when facing a ranked opponent, and 41-41-7 on the road against ranked teams. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeyes are 38-13 overall and 13-6 on the road against ranked teams.
Since the start of the 2004 season (when head coach Bret Bielema joined the UW coaching staff as defensive coordinator) the Badgers have compiled a 40-4 record at Camp Randall Stadium. That is the best home record in the Big Ten over that span (Ohio State is 41-5 over that time period) and tied for third-best in the country.
Under Bret Bielema, Wisconsin is 5-10 against top-25 teams, and 0-4 against top-10 teams.
UW has squared off with Ohio State twice at night at Camp Randall with the Badgers knocking off No. 3 OSU, 17-10, in 2003 and falling to the 14th-ranked Buckeyes, 20-17, in 2008.
Wisconsin has committed just 20 penalties, tied for the fewest in the country. The Badgers' 30.8 penalty yards per game are fourth-fewest in the country.
There have been some historic matchups between the teams. In 1942 under Paul Brown, the #1 Buckeyes went on the (rail)road to Madison. The team didn't take along its own water on that trip (as they had the previous year via the train to the USC game in Los Angeles), and the majority of the team came down with dysentery from contaminated water on the train. Ohio State lost 17-7 to a Wisconsin team led by Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch in what was dubbed the "Bad Water Game"; and dropped to #6 in the polls.
The next week tOSU gained 587 yards in routing Pitt (they were up 41-0 at halftime of the 59-19 final), and dropped to #10 - who knew that Mark May influenced poll voters way back then! They won their remaining games, and climbed all the way to the top of the poll to claim tOSU's first national championship. The Badgers finished the year 8-1-1 and ranked #3.
The 5 other times that the Buckeyes carried a #1 ranking into a game against the Badgers were all against Woody Hayes squads between 1964 to 1975. The average score in those games was 44-3, with the closest game being a 24-0 game in Madison in 1973.
Wisconsin was an inaugural member of the Western Conference, which evolved into the Big Ten. They won the first two conference championships in football, with a 2-0-1 mark in 1896 and a 3-0 record in 1897. They also claimed conference crowns in their only perfect seasons: 1901, 1906, and 1912. After that period, their next crown was 40 years away.
Ohio State is the only opponent that has ever faced a Wisconsin team ranked #1 in the AP football poll. In 1952, after #8 Wisconsin defeated a #2 Illinois team 20-6 in Madison, the team was vaulted to the #1 ranking for the only time in their football history. The next week the Badgers visited the 'Shoe and fell 23-14 to the Buckeyes. Wisconsin finished that season as co-Big Ten champions with Purdue. They also won Big Ten titles in 1959 and 1962, but lost the Rose Bowl in each of their 3 appearances between '52 and '62, and would not return until the 1990's under Barry Alvarez.
Those who have coached the Badgers include Harry Stuhldreher, one of Notre Dame's "Four Horsemen" in the 1920s. His teams went 45-62-6 (.425) between 1936-48. Similar to Paul Brown at Ohio State, the enlistments of World War II dramatically changed the fortunes of Stuhldreher's teams. After the 8-1-1 mark and #3 ranking in 1942, their record fell to 1-9 in 1943 due to many players having left the team; including Elroy Hirsch (who then lettered in 4 different sports at Michigan, where he was getting military training). Hirsch went on to a Hall-of-Fame career as an NFL receiver, and later spent 18 years as Wisconsin's Athletic Director.
From 1978 until 1985, the head man in Madison was Dave McClain, whose teams went 46-42-3 (.522). After a fatal heart attack in 1986 cut short his career at the age of 48, the Big Ten dedicated it's football Coach of the Year award in his honor. Although it can't be proved, there is supposedly no rule preventing Jim Tressel from winning that award.
Barry Alvarez, currently the Athletic Director in Madison, was the head football coach from 1990 through 2005. Prior to that, he was on Hayden Fry's staff at Iowa, and he was the DC on Lou Holtz's 1988 national championship team at Notre Dame. Barry's Badgers won the Rose Bowl in each of the seasons they garnered a Big Ten title: '93, '98, and '99.
1993 was a shared title with tOSU; the teams tied 14-14 in Madison, and the Badgers claimed their share after they won their last conference game against Michigan State in a game called the Coca-Cola Classic in Tokyo. Barry is the only Big Ten coach to win Rose Bowls in consecutive seasons, and in 2006 a bronze statue of Alvarez was unveiled outside Camp Randall stadium. Since the year that Ohio State and Wisconsin tied, only Georgia has more bowl wins than the Badgers.
BOWL WINS SINCE 1993
11 - Georgia
10 - Wisconsin
10 - Boston College
10 - Florida State
10 - LSU
10 - Nebraska
10 - Penn State
10 - Utah
10 - USC (09 with vacated BCS Title)
09 - Florida
09 - Texas
08 - Ohio State, and others
11 - Georgia
10 - Wisconsin
10 - Boston College
10 - Florida State
10 - LSU
10 - Nebraska
10 - Penn State
10 - Utah
10 - USC (09 with vacated BCS Title)
09 - Florida
09 - Texas
08 - Ohio State, and others
Date: Saturday, October 16th, 2010
Time: 7:00 pm ET Kick-off
Location: Camp Randall Stadium (Madison, WI)
Constructed: 1917 (Renovated in 2005)
Seating Capacity: 80,321
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Events: The honorary captain for the Badgers is Lee Evans. No word yet on whether he will run an out-and-up on the way to the coin toss.
Time: 7:00 pm ET Kick-off
Location: Camp Randall Stadium (Madison, WI)
Constructed: 1917 (Renovated in 2005)
Seating Capacity: 80,321
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Events: The honorary captain for the Badgers is Lee Evans. No word yet on whether he will run an out-and-up on the way to the coin toss.
Broadcast Information:
TV Broacast: ESPN will televise the game with Brent Musburger (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) in the booth and Erin Andrews on the sideline.
The game will also be televised on ESPN3D with Dave Lamont, Tim Brown and Ray Bentley.
The game will also be televised on ESPN3D with Dave Lamont, Tim Brown and Ray Bentley.
Radio Broadcast: Ohio State Radio Network (WBNS 97.1 FM TheFan in Columbus): Paul Keels (Play-by-play), Jim Lachey (Analysis), and Marty Bannister (Sideline).
The game can also be heard on Sirius satellite radio 122 and XM 143. Sports USA Radio will have a national broadcast of the game with Rich Cellini and Gary Barnett on the call.
2010 Wisconsin Badgers Offensive PreviewThe game can also be heard on Sirius satellite radio 122 and XM 143. Sports USA Radio will have a national broadcast of the game with Rich Cellini and Gary Barnett on the call.
After decimating the previously high-powered Indiana passing game out of the pistol, the Buckeyes face an entirely different type of offense this week in Madison. The Badgers are again a power running team, with a solid QB that can make enough plays in the passing game to give opposing defenses headaches and take some pressure off the ground game. Offensive coordinator Paul Chryst has an effective offense going again in Madison. The Badgers rank 24th nationally in total offense with 450.2 yards per game, which is ironically almost exactly what Indiana was ranked (24) with almost the exact same yardage total (455) last week before facing the Buckeyes. The Badgers, however, rank 11th nationally in rushing with 240.8 yards per game, and are 72nd nationally in passing with 216.2 yards per game. They are piling up 37.2 yards per game, ranking them 17th nationally. Not surprisingly they have been excellent moving the chains, ranking 5th in the country in first downs (148) and converting an impressive 52.2% of their 3rd down chances, ranking 7th nationally. The line has yielded just 5 sacks, which is a respectable number given the relative immobility of the QB. Basically, it's much the same Wisconsin style and substance of previous incarnations over the past decade plus...it will be up to the Buckeyes to rise to the challenge against a team that has beaten them just once in Madison since 1992.
Quarterbacks
QB #16 Scott Tolzien (6-3, 205, SR, Palatine Fremd HS, Rolling Meadows, IL)
Tolzien is in his second season as the starter. Last year he threw for 2705 yards and 16 TDs, but he threw too many INTs (11) and took too many sacks (21). This year, he has improved significantly in both of those categories thus far, and has efficiently led the passing offense despite injuries to the receiving corps. He had a very bad game against Michigan State, completing only 44% of his passes (11/25) for 127 yards and a TD. In every other game, however, he has completed at least 68% of his throws and he hasn't thrown a pick since week 2. Last year he threw for 250 yards but was picked off twice as Ohio State's defense and special teams set the Buckeyes up with a 31-13 win. This year he is making better decisions and is less likely to give a game away, though he is unlikely to beat the Buckeyes with a huge passing day either. His 250 passing yards against Ohio State last season were the third highest of his career.
The backup is a freshman, Jon Budmayr (#5). He was 6/7 for 55 yards against Austin Peay. He has similar size and build (6-0, 205) as Tolzien.
QB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State QBs
Tolzien: 92/132 (69.7%), 1201 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs, 160.6 rating; 11/-14, 0 TDs
Pryor: 104/153 (68.0%), 1349 yards, 15 TDs, 3 INTs, 170.5 rating; 57/354, 3 TDs
Tolzien is an efficient QB who does what is asked of him, and with a year of experience under his belt, he does it better than he did last season. Still, the Michigan State game had to be a red flag for Badger fans, as he really fell flat against the best defense he has faced this season. He bounced back with a good day last week against Minnesota, but the Buckeye defense showed what it could do against the passing game last week in annihilating Indiana. His low numbers of turnovers and sacks should make Badger fans more optimistic, however, and playing in front of the raucous home crowd should improve his chances against an outstanding Buckeye front 7. Pryor led the Buckeyes to a gutsy win in Madison as a freshman, but has had serious trouble overall with the Badger defense overall, going just 5/13 for 87 yards with 10 carries for 35 yards last season. Still Pryor is a top Heisman candidate and his skill set of throwing the ball vertically combined with scrambling out of the pocket with gazelle-like speed makes him virtually impossible to defend. He showed how good he could be passing the ball last week, throwing for 334 yards and 3 TDs in a game where the opposing passing attack was supposedly going to be featured.
Edge: Ohio State
Running Backs
TB #32 John Clay (6-1, 248, JR, Washington Park HS, Racine, WI)
FB #34 Bradie Ewing (6-0, 234, JR, Richland Center HS, Richland Center, WI)
Clay is a bruising power back and is one of the better players in the country. He has led the Badgers in rushing in each of his two seasons and is well on his way to doing so for a third straight campaign. After a modest 884 yards his first season, he broke out with a monster 2009, topping 100 yards rushing 9 times and gaining over 1500 yards with 18 TDs. He is off to a big start again in 2010, gaining over 100 yards in 5 of 6 games. Michigan State was the only team to hold him under 100 yards (80) and to keep him out of the end zone thus far. The play of White (see below) has kept his carry number to a manageable total (115 through 6 games, never over 25 in a game) so he is still fresh with plenty in the tank at the midseason point. He is a battering ram in the red zone and any team that gives up a lot of short yardage situations against Wisconsin is in trouble. Despite catching 9 passes last year, he has no receptions this season, so he is not much of a threat on screens or flairs. Ironically he was better as a freshman against the Buckeyes (10 carries, 69 yards) than he was last year (20 carries, 59 yards) as the Buckeyes were one of 5 teams to keep him under 100 yards in 2009. The Buckeyes will need a similar effort in 2010.
The Badgers are loaded with talent at the TB position beyond Clay. Freshman James White (#20) surprisingly beat out sophomore Montee Ball (#28) for the primary backup job, and he has delivered in a major way. White is a faster, shiftier runner (5-10, 198) who has gained 485 yards and scored a whopping 8 TDs while averaging almost 8 yards a carry in 63 attempts. Unlike Clay, he is also a threat out of the backfield, with 5 receptions for 55 yards thus far. His production has not been all against bad teams, either, as he had 145 yards on 11 carries with 4 TDs against Austin Peay but followed that up with 10 carries for 98 yards and 2 TDs against Michigan State and 19 carries for 118 yards and 2 TDs last week against the Gophers, so he is on a tear right now and is the team's second biggest weapon behind Clay. Could they be the new "Thunder and Lightning"? Ball on the other hand is more in the same mold as Clay (5-11, 236) and gained 391 yards and scored 4 TDs last year. His current numbers (46/201/3) are on pace to match or exceed those totals, but he is no longer the primary option off the bench and has carried it just 5 times since Big Ten play started. He does have 8 receptions out of the backfield, which ranks 5th on the team. Ewing is a situational player who blocks well. He has 2 carries and 2 receptions thus far, but has scored a TD each way.
RB Rating: A
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State RBs
Clay: 115/692 yards, 9 TDs, 6.0 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
White: 63/485 yards, 8 TDs, 7.7 YPC; 5 rec/55 yards, 0 TDs, 11.0 YPR
Ball: 46/201 yards, 3 TDs, 4.4 YPC; 8 rec/66 yards, 0 TDs, 8.3 YPR
Herron: 77/355 yards, 7 TDs, 4.6 YPC; 8 rec/115 yards, 0 TDs, 14.4 YPR
Saine: 44/183 yards, 2 TDs, 4.2 YPC; 13 rec/159 yards, 4 TDs, 12.2 YPR
Strength, speed, depth, experience, short yardage, long yardage, receivers out of the backfield ... Wisconsin has it. White has been somewhat of a revelation the past 3 games and could start on most teams in the conference. Combine that with Clay, who is among the national leaders in rushing and who has five 100 yard rushing games in six tries, and you get one of the best rushing teams in the nation. The Buckeye front 7 will be significantly tested this week. Clay and Ball combined for just 77 rushing yards last year against the Buckeyes. If they can repeat that kind of defensive performance, they should be in good position for another win. On the other side, Herron has taken over the primary backfield carrying role for the Buckeyes. He is solid if unspectacular, and can grind out yards later in games. Saine is still utilized in a variety of ways and is dangerous as a pass receiver. The Buckeyes have plenty of depth with Berry, Hall, and Hyde, but none has been give the type of opportunities afforded to White.
Edge: Wisconsin
Wide Receivers
WR #1 Nick Toon (6-3, 218, JR, Middleton HS, Middleton, WI)
WR #6 Isaac Anderson (5-10, 176, SR, The Blake School HS, Minneapolis, MN)
The receiver position for the Badgers involves a lot of players, though the talent level isn't quite as high as the RB position and they have also been beset by some injuries. The top 3 returning players at the position are back, and a new face has been added to the mix. Toon has started 14 games in his career but he has been in and out of the lineup with injuries. When healthy he can be effective, as he led the team with 54 receptions for 805 yards and 4 TDs last season. He has been hampered by injuries in the first half of this year, but he did bounce back with 6 receptions for 52 yards last week against Minnesota. He has good size and can make catches over the middle, but he also has suspect hands at times. Anderson is a program veteran who has made steady contributions in each of the past 3 seasons. After catching 30 passes and scoring twice last year, he has just 12 and has yet to find the end zone thus far in 2010. His season highs are only 5 receptions and 42 yards, both against Arizona State. The wildcard in the group is speedy freshman Jared Abbrederis (#4), a converted scout team QB. He actually leads all receivers with 15 receptions for 172 yards and a TD, and was offensive player of the week against San Jose State. He had 3 receptions for 33 yards and a TD last week against the Gophers, so he is still regularly involved even though Toon has returned from injury. Also still part of the rotation are veteran seniors David Gilreath (#85) and Kyle Jefferson (#3). The speedy Gilreath led the team in receiving yards for WRs in 2008, but has seen his role in the passing game diminish the past 2 seasons. He can still break big plays, as his 8 reception, 148 yard season line to date and his work in the return game attest to. He also routinely runs on end arounds and fly sweeps, and he has 3 carries for 38 yards thus far this year and has 54 carries and 4 rushing TDs in his career. Jefferson also has track speed but has been used very sparingly in the passing game, with just 48 career receptions and only 4 this season.
WR Rating: C+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State WRs
Abbrederis: 15 catches, 172 yards, 1 TD, 11.5 YPR
Anderson: 12 catches, 117 yards, 0 TDs, 9.8 YPR
Toon: 11 catches, 134 yards, 0 TDs, 12.2 YPR
Sanzenbacher: 27 catches, 411 yards, 7 TDs, 15.2 YPR
Posey: 26 catches, 364 yards, 3 TDs, 14.0 YPR
The WR position is not often the top option in the passing game for the Badgers, who prefer to throw to highly athletic TEs, of which they have had many. Abbrederis appears to be a future star, and he can get open downfield and create havoc right now. Toon and Anderson are program veterans who are solid players, but it is possible they have reached their ceiling, as neither is having a career year and Toon has been injured. None of these players measures up to Sanzenbacher and Posey, who give the Buckeyes a ferocious 1-2 punch downfield. Both can also play the possession receiver role over the middle when called upon.
Edge: Ohio State
Tight Ends
TE #84 Lance Kendricks (6-4, 241, SR, Rufus King HS, Milwaukee, WI)
TE #82 Jake Byrne (6-4, 257, JR, Rogers HS, Rogers, AR)
Wisconsin throws to the TEs ... a lot. This season's featured player is Kendricks. He had 29 receptions for 356 yards and 3 TDs last season, and he has met or exceeded those numbers already, catching 25 passes for 391 yards and 3 TDs thus far in 2010, which leads the nation in receiving by a TE. He is a good candidate for the Mackey Award. He has two 100 yard receiving games, against San Jose State and Austin Peay, and he caught 5 passes for 75 yards last week to help Wisconsin take the Axe. He is also an excellent blocker whose role in the running game should not be overlooked.
There is also a ton of depth here, as juniors Jake Byrne (#82) and Rob Korslin (#81) are in on double TE sets as primary blockers. They have good size and power and are key to the power running game with Clay as well as sealing the edges for White. Freshman Jacob Pedersen (#48) is also involved in the passing game, with 5 receptions for 69 yards and 2 scores thus far.
TE Rating: A
Head-to-Head: Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State TEs
Kendricks: 25 catches, 391 yards, 3 TDs, 15.6 YPR
Stoneburner: 9 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD, 12.2 YPR
The Badgers have arguably the nation's most impressive TE lineage over the past decade, and if there were a "TE U" moniker, they would probably have it. Since 2004, that has included Owen Daniels, Travis Beckum, Garrett Graham, and now Kendricks. Pedersen has also caught 2 TD passes this season, including one against Michigan State. Both TEs are excellent blockers and are featured in an offense that runs a ton of double TE sets. The Buckeyes have had solid contributions from Stoneburner and Reid Fragel, who has really contributed over the past month, but this one is really no contest.
Edge: Wisconsin
Offensive Line
LT #68 Gabe Carimi (6-7, 327, SR, Monona Grove HS, Cottage Grove, WI)
LG #74 John Moffitt (6-5, 323, SR, West Haven Notre Dame HS, Guilford, CT)
C #66 Peter Konz (6-5, 313, SO, Neenah HS, Neenah, IL)
RG #70 Kevin Zeitler (6-4, 315, JR, Wisconsin Lutheran HS, Waukesha, WI)
RT #58 Ricky Wagner (6-6, 322, SO, Nathan Hale HS, West Allis, WI)
The Wisconsin line is built in the traditional throwback Big 10 mold of really big and really tough. The left side of the line especially also provides veteran leadership to go along with quality play. Captain and LT Carimi has taken over for Joe Thomas and started 42 games in his career, was All-Big Ten last season and is on most of the national watch lists this year, including the Lombardi and Outland Trophies. He is a top contender for first team all-conference honors again this season. His height gives him extensive leverage to go along with his considerable bulk. Moffitt is also a team captain this year, and with 35 career starts he is one of the team's unquestioned leaders. He has 20 starts at LG and 15 at C, making him one of the more versatile players in the group. He was a consensus first team all-Big Ten selection last season and is also a top contender for that spot at G again in 2010. In the middle, Konz is establishing a solid career with 15 starts to date. He was the team's offensive player of the week against UNLV and is on the Rimington watch list this season after making several freshman All-American lists last season. On the right side, Zeitler was slowed in camp by an injury, but he started all 13 games at RG last season and has made the past 2 starts this year. At RT, original starter Josh Oglesby has been hampered by injures, so Wagner has started 3 of the past 4 games. He has good agility and was a TE in high school.
The reserves also include a number of players with experience, especially on the right side. Oglesby (#67) has been in and out of the lineup at RT due to injury but has made 15 career starts. Senior Bill Nagy (#76) is the backup at RG, with 8 career starts. He has also played some TE in blocking packages. Travis Frederick (#72) is the backup in the middle, whereas the backups on the left side where the depth chart is etched in stone are a pair of freshmen, Casey Dehn (#63), who has made one start already at RT, and Ryan Groy (#79).
OL Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State OL
How does one judge the effectiveness of an offensive line? The chosen criteria might determine the answer in this comparison. Both teams have physical and experienced players who have the capability to help spring big plays. Both programs have stars (Boren, Carimi, Moffitt) and both have depth. The running game for Wisconsin has been brutally successful, and they have protected Tolzien well, cutting the number of sacks from last season down significantly. The Buckeye line has also made its share of plays, but the running game has been inconsistent over the course of the season. The Badgers did not perform particularly well against Michigan State, though one could argue the Buckeyes have not yet faced a defense of that caliber. The right side of the Badger line is somewhat suspect due to inexperience and injury, though the left side and the middle are stout. This one will come down to the finer points of execution on game day ... for now, call it about even.
Edge: Even
Overall Offensive Analysis
Wisconsin's offense is relatively predictable, yet it is still ferocious and very effective in the old school Big Ten mold. The line is big and physical, the lead back is big and physical, and the leading receiver is a TE. The Badger passing game won't put up big numbers, and will probably not reach 3000 yards for the season or place in the top 50 or 60 nationally. But with as good as the running game is, a few deep play-action passes and a few 3rd down conversions to the TE is all they really need. Being successful against the Buckeyes is never easy, but if they control the ball and cut down on their turnovers from last season, they have a reasonable chance of putting some points up. Mistake-free football and establishing the run are the key ... if Wisconsin does those things, they might just spring the upset.
Overall Offensive Rating: B+
2010 Wisconsin Badgers Defensive PreviewQB #16 Scott Tolzien (6-3, 205, SR, Palatine Fremd HS, Rolling Meadows, IL)
Tolzien is in his second season as the starter. Last year he threw for 2705 yards and 16 TDs, but he threw too many INTs (11) and took too many sacks (21). This year, he has improved significantly in both of those categories thus far, and has efficiently led the passing offense despite injuries to the receiving corps. He had a very bad game against Michigan State, completing only 44% of his passes (11/25) for 127 yards and a TD. In every other game, however, he has completed at least 68% of his throws and he hasn't thrown a pick since week 2. Last year he threw for 250 yards but was picked off twice as Ohio State's defense and special teams set the Buckeyes up with a 31-13 win. This year he is making better decisions and is less likely to give a game away, though he is unlikely to beat the Buckeyes with a huge passing day either. His 250 passing yards against Ohio State last season were the third highest of his career.
The backup is a freshman, Jon Budmayr (#5). He was 6/7 for 55 yards against Austin Peay. He has similar size and build (6-0, 205) as Tolzien.
QB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State QBs
Tolzien: 92/132 (69.7%), 1201 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs, 160.6 rating; 11/-14, 0 TDs
Pryor: 104/153 (68.0%), 1349 yards, 15 TDs, 3 INTs, 170.5 rating; 57/354, 3 TDs
Tolzien is an efficient QB who does what is asked of him, and with a year of experience under his belt, he does it better than he did last season. Still, the Michigan State game had to be a red flag for Badger fans, as he really fell flat against the best defense he has faced this season. He bounced back with a good day last week against Minnesota, but the Buckeye defense showed what it could do against the passing game last week in annihilating Indiana. His low numbers of turnovers and sacks should make Badger fans more optimistic, however, and playing in front of the raucous home crowd should improve his chances against an outstanding Buckeye front 7. Pryor led the Buckeyes to a gutsy win in Madison as a freshman, but has had serious trouble overall with the Badger defense overall, going just 5/13 for 87 yards with 10 carries for 35 yards last season. Still Pryor is a top Heisman candidate and his skill set of throwing the ball vertically combined with scrambling out of the pocket with gazelle-like speed makes him virtually impossible to defend. He showed how good he could be passing the ball last week, throwing for 334 yards and 3 TDs in a game where the opposing passing attack was supposedly going to be featured.
Edge: Ohio State
Running Backs
TB #32 John Clay (6-1, 248, JR, Washington Park HS, Racine, WI)
FB #34 Bradie Ewing (6-0, 234, JR, Richland Center HS, Richland Center, WI)
Clay is a bruising power back and is one of the better players in the country. He has led the Badgers in rushing in each of his two seasons and is well on his way to doing so for a third straight campaign. After a modest 884 yards his first season, he broke out with a monster 2009, topping 100 yards rushing 9 times and gaining over 1500 yards with 18 TDs. He is off to a big start again in 2010, gaining over 100 yards in 5 of 6 games. Michigan State was the only team to hold him under 100 yards (80) and to keep him out of the end zone thus far. The play of White (see below) has kept his carry number to a manageable total (115 through 6 games, never over 25 in a game) so he is still fresh with plenty in the tank at the midseason point. He is a battering ram in the red zone and any team that gives up a lot of short yardage situations against Wisconsin is in trouble. Despite catching 9 passes last year, he has no receptions this season, so he is not much of a threat on screens or flairs. Ironically he was better as a freshman against the Buckeyes (10 carries, 69 yards) than he was last year (20 carries, 59 yards) as the Buckeyes were one of 5 teams to keep him under 100 yards in 2009. The Buckeyes will need a similar effort in 2010.
The Badgers are loaded with talent at the TB position beyond Clay. Freshman James White (#20) surprisingly beat out sophomore Montee Ball (#28) for the primary backup job, and he has delivered in a major way. White is a faster, shiftier runner (5-10, 198) who has gained 485 yards and scored a whopping 8 TDs while averaging almost 8 yards a carry in 63 attempts. Unlike Clay, he is also a threat out of the backfield, with 5 receptions for 55 yards thus far. His production has not been all against bad teams, either, as he had 145 yards on 11 carries with 4 TDs against Austin Peay but followed that up with 10 carries for 98 yards and 2 TDs against Michigan State and 19 carries for 118 yards and 2 TDs last week against the Gophers, so he is on a tear right now and is the team's second biggest weapon behind Clay. Could they be the new "Thunder and Lightning"? Ball on the other hand is more in the same mold as Clay (5-11, 236) and gained 391 yards and scored 4 TDs last year. His current numbers (46/201/3) are on pace to match or exceed those totals, but he is no longer the primary option off the bench and has carried it just 5 times since Big Ten play started. He does have 8 receptions out of the backfield, which ranks 5th on the team. Ewing is a situational player who blocks well. He has 2 carries and 2 receptions thus far, but has scored a TD each way.
RB Rating: A
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State RBs
Clay: 115/692 yards, 9 TDs, 6.0 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
White: 63/485 yards, 8 TDs, 7.7 YPC; 5 rec/55 yards, 0 TDs, 11.0 YPR
Ball: 46/201 yards, 3 TDs, 4.4 YPC; 8 rec/66 yards, 0 TDs, 8.3 YPR
Herron: 77/355 yards, 7 TDs, 4.6 YPC; 8 rec/115 yards, 0 TDs, 14.4 YPR
Saine: 44/183 yards, 2 TDs, 4.2 YPC; 13 rec/159 yards, 4 TDs, 12.2 YPR
Strength, speed, depth, experience, short yardage, long yardage, receivers out of the backfield ... Wisconsin has it. White has been somewhat of a revelation the past 3 games and could start on most teams in the conference. Combine that with Clay, who is among the national leaders in rushing and who has five 100 yard rushing games in six tries, and you get one of the best rushing teams in the nation. The Buckeye front 7 will be significantly tested this week. Clay and Ball combined for just 77 rushing yards last year against the Buckeyes. If they can repeat that kind of defensive performance, they should be in good position for another win. On the other side, Herron has taken over the primary backfield carrying role for the Buckeyes. He is solid if unspectacular, and can grind out yards later in games. Saine is still utilized in a variety of ways and is dangerous as a pass receiver. The Buckeyes have plenty of depth with Berry, Hall, and Hyde, but none has been give the type of opportunities afforded to White.
Edge: Wisconsin
Wide Receivers
WR #1 Nick Toon (6-3, 218, JR, Middleton HS, Middleton, WI)
WR #6 Isaac Anderson (5-10, 176, SR, The Blake School HS, Minneapolis, MN)
The receiver position for the Badgers involves a lot of players, though the talent level isn't quite as high as the RB position and they have also been beset by some injuries. The top 3 returning players at the position are back, and a new face has been added to the mix. Toon has started 14 games in his career but he has been in and out of the lineup with injuries. When healthy he can be effective, as he led the team with 54 receptions for 805 yards and 4 TDs last season. He has been hampered by injuries in the first half of this year, but he did bounce back with 6 receptions for 52 yards last week against Minnesota. He has good size and can make catches over the middle, but he also has suspect hands at times. Anderson is a program veteran who has made steady contributions in each of the past 3 seasons. After catching 30 passes and scoring twice last year, he has just 12 and has yet to find the end zone thus far in 2010. His season highs are only 5 receptions and 42 yards, both against Arizona State. The wildcard in the group is speedy freshman Jared Abbrederis (#4), a converted scout team QB. He actually leads all receivers with 15 receptions for 172 yards and a TD, and was offensive player of the week against San Jose State. He had 3 receptions for 33 yards and a TD last week against the Gophers, so he is still regularly involved even though Toon has returned from injury. Also still part of the rotation are veteran seniors David Gilreath (#85) and Kyle Jefferson (#3). The speedy Gilreath led the team in receiving yards for WRs in 2008, but has seen his role in the passing game diminish the past 2 seasons. He can still break big plays, as his 8 reception, 148 yard season line to date and his work in the return game attest to. He also routinely runs on end arounds and fly sweeps, and he has 3 carries for 38 yards thus far this year and has 54 carries and 4 rushing TDs in his career. Jefferson also has track speed but has been used very sparingly in the passing game, with just 48 career receptions and only 4 this season.
WR Rating: C+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State WRs
Abbrederis: 15 catches, 172 yards, 1 TD, 11.5 YPR
Anderson: 12 catches, 117 yards, 0 TDs, 9.8 YPR
Toon: 11 catches, 134 yards, 0 TDs, 12.2 YPR
Sanzenbacher: 27 catches, 411 yards, 7 TDs, 15.2 YPR
Posey: 26 catches, 364 yards, 3 TDs, 14.0 YPR
The WR position is not often the top option in the passing game for the Badgers, who prefer to throw to highly athletic TEs, of which they have had many. Abbrederis appears to be a future star, and he can get open downfield and create havoc right now. Toon and Anderson are program veterans who are solid players, but it is possible they have reached their ceiling, as neither is having a career year and Toon has been injured. None of these players measures up to Sanzenbacher and Posey, who give the Buckeyes a ferocious 1-2 punch downfield. Both can also play the possession receiver role over the middle when called upon.
Edge: Ohio State
Tight Ends
TE #84 Lance Kendricks (6-4, 241, SR, Rufus King HS, Milwaukee, WI)
TE #82 Jake Byrne (6-4, 257, JR, Rogers HS, Rogers, AR)
Wisconsin throws to the TEs ... a lot. This season's featured player is Kendricks. He had 29 receptions for 356 yards and 3 TDs last season, and he has met or exceeded those numbers already, catching 25 passes for 391 yards and 3 TDs thus far in 2010, which leads the nation in receiving by a TE. He is a good candidate for the Mackey Award. He has two 100 yard receiving games, against San Jose State and Austin Peay, and he caught 5 passes for 75 yards last week to help Wisconsin take the Axe. He is also an excellent blocker whose role in the running game should not be overlooked.
There is also a ton of depth here, as juniors Jake Byrne (#82) and Rob Korslin (#81) are in on double TE sets as primary blockers. They have good size and power and are key to the power running game with Clay as well as sealing the edges for White. Freshman Jacob Pedersen (#48) is also involved in the passing game, with 5 receptions for 69 yards and 2 scores thus far.
TE Rating: A
Head-to-Head: Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State TEs
Kendricks: 25 catches, 391 yards, 3 TDs, 15.6 YPR
Stoneburner: 9 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD, 12.2 YPR
The Badgers have arguably the nation's most impressive TE lineage over the past decade, and if there were a "TE U" moniker, they would probably have it. Since 2004, that has included Owen Daniels, Travis Beckum, Garrett Graham, and now Kendricks. Pedersen has also caught 2 TD passes this season, including one against Michigan State. Both TEs are excellent blockers and are featured in an offense that runs a ton of double TE sets. The Buckeyes have had solid contributions from Stoneburner and Reid Fragel, who has really contributed over the past month, but this one is really no contest.
Edge: Wisconsin
Offensive Line
LT #68 Gabe Carimi (6-7, 327, SR, Monona Grove HS, Cottage Grove, WI)
LG #74 John Moffitt (6-5, 323, SR, West Haven Notre Dame HS, Guilford, CT)
C #66 Peter Konz (6-5, 313, SO, Neenah HS, Neenah, IL)
RG #70 Kevin Zeitler (6-4, 315, JR, Wisconsin Lutheran HS, Waukesha, WI)
RT #58 Ricky Wagner (6-6, 322, SO, Nathan Hale HS, West Allis, WI)
The Wisconsin line is built in the traditional throwback Big 10 mold of really big and really tough. The left side of the line especially also provides veteran leadership to go along with quality play. Captain and LT Carimi has taken over for Joe Thomas and started 42 games in his career, was All-Big Ten last season and is on most of the national watch lists this year, including the Lombardi and Outland Trophies. He is a top contender for first team all-conference honors again this season. His height gives him extensive leverage to go along with his considerable bulk. Moffitt is also a team captain this year, and with 35 career starts he is one of the team's unquestioned leaders. He has 20 starts at LG and 15 at C, making him one of the more versatile players in the group. He was a consensus first team all-Big Ten selection last season and is also a top contender for that spot at G again in 2010. In the middle, Konz is establishing a solid career with 15 starts to date. He was the team's offensive player of the week against UNLV and is on the Rimington watch list this season after making several freshman All-American lists last season. On the right side, Zeitler was slowed in camp by an injury, but he started all 13 games at RG last season and has made the past 2 starts this year. At RT, original starter Josh Oglesby has been hampered by injures, so Wagner has started 3 of the past 4 games. He has good agility and was a TE in high school.
The reserves also include a number of players with experience, especially on the right side. Oglesby (#67) has been in and out of the lineup at RT due to injury but has made 15 career starts. Senior Bill Nagy (#76) is the backup at RG, with 8 career starts. He has also played some TE in blocking packages. Travis Frederick (#72) is the backup in the middle, whereas the backups on the left side where the depth chart is etched in stone are a pair of freshmen, Casey Dehn (#63), who has made one start already at RT, and Ryan Groy (#79).
OL Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State OL
How does one judge the effectiveness of an offensive line? The chosen criteria might determine the answer in this comparison. Both teams have physical and experienced players who have the capability to help spring big plays. Both programs have stars (Boren, Carimi, Moffitt) and both have depth. The running game for Wisconsin has been brutally successful, and they have protected Tolzien well, cutting the number of sacks from last season down significantly. The Buckeye line has also made its share of plays, but the running game has been inconsistent over the course of the season. The Badgers did not perform particularly well against Michigan State, though one could argue the Buckeyes have not yet faced a defense of that caliber. The right side of the Badger line is somewhat suspect due to inexperience and injury, though the left side and the middle are stout. This one will come down to the finer points of execution on game day ... for now, call it about even.
Edge: Even
Overall Offensive Analysis
Wisconsin's offense is relatively predictable, yet it is still ferocious and very effective in the old school Big Ten mold. The line is big and physical, the lead back is big and physical, and the leading receiver is a TE. The Badger passing game won't put up big numbers, and will probably not reach 3000 yards for the season or place in the top 50 or 60 nationally. But with as good as the running game is, a few deep play-action passes and a few 3rd down conversions to the TE is all they really need. Being successful against the Buckeyes is never easy, but if they control the ball and cut down on their turnovers from last season, they have a reasonable chance of putting some points up. Mistake-free football and establishing the run are the key ... if Wisconsin does those things, they might just spring the upset.
Overall Offensive Rating: B+
Now entering his third season as Wisconsin's lone defensive coordinator, Dave Doeren looks to continue a successful reign. Last season, after finishing 4th in total defense in the Big Ten, Doren's unit finished #1 against the rush (5th nationally) and posted numbers good for 2nd best at Wisconsin all time (88.2). Last year's unit finished 17th in the nation in passing yards against (305.7). Originally from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, Doeren began his coaching career in the high school ranks in his home town, after a 4 year career at Drake. After a year with Northwest High, he took a job at his alma mater coaching the linebackers before becoming Defensive Coordinator in 1997. From there, Doeren took a graduate assistant job at USC, assisting the Trojans in leading the nation in INTs in 1998 and turnover margin in 1999. After USC he coached at Montana, winning the 2001 DI-AA national title. In 2002 Doeren became Kansas' linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator, before becoming co-defensive coordinator in 2005 where he built a defense which was 3rd best in the country against the rush, and 11th best in the nation in total defense. In his first season at Wisconsin, 2006 - as LB coach, recruiting coordinator and co-defensive coordinator - the Badgers were first in the nation in passing efficiency defense, and second in yards allowed and points allowed.
Stats.......|Score..|Tot.Yds..|Rush..|.Pass..|INT|.Fum.|Sack.|1stD..|.3rd D.|.PCT..|Red Zone.|PCT.|RZ TDs.|PCT.|TOF..|
Wisconsin...|.19.0..|..308.3..|108.2.|.200.2.|.4.|..2..|.12..|.86...|.26-82.|.32%..|.13-15...|87%.|..8-15.|53%.|27:51|
Ohio State..|.13.5..|..237.0..|.78.7.|.158.3.|11.|..6..|..8..|.74...|.24-80.|.30%..|..9.12...|75%.|..6-12.|50%.|26:56|
TOF= Opponents Time of Possession
While 19 points a game doesn't seem that bad, Wisconsin has not faced the most impressive of schedules thus far. Only Austin Peay has failed to score a TD against the Badgers, while the likes of UNLV and San Jose State scored 21 and 14 respectively. In Big Ten play, against Michigan State and Minnesota, the Badgers have given up 28.5 per contest. The Badgers afford opponents 4.2 points every time the opponent reaches the Badger 20 (Note: a score of 6 would be the lowest score on this metric, meaning a team would score a TD every RZ opportunity.) The rush defense, as will be revealed in more detail below has not been as good as last season and is young in the middle of the line. The passing defense has shown strong improvement over last season's group which gave up over 305 yards per game. In all the categories explored above, it is clear that Wisconsin has a solid defense this season and one which is not too far inferior to the Buckeyes. Ohio State leads in every category except for sacks. Contrasting the points per red zone appearance against the Bagders, Ohio State is better as well, yielding 3.75 per opponent opportunity. The Buckeyes are a generally more experienced and deeper unit. Both the Badgers and Buckeyes have suffered from some injury problems. The Badgers will miss Big Ten Freshman of the year from 2009, LB Chris Borland while Ohio State is without the services of Tyler Moeller (Star) and CJ Barnett (SS). Each of these three individuals are out for the remainder of the 2010 campaign.
Stats.......|Score..|Tot.Yds..|Rush..|.Pass..|INT|.Fum.|Sack.|1stD..|.3rd D.|.PCT..|Red Zone.|PCT.|RZ TDs.|PCT.|TOF..|
Wisconsin...|.19.0..|..308.3..|108.2.|.200.2.|.4.|..2..|.12..|.86...|.26-82.|.32%..|.13-15...|87%.|..8-15.|53%.|27:51|
Ohio State..|.13.5..|..237.0..|.78.7.|.158.3.|11.|..6..|..8..|.74...|.24-80.|.30%..|..9.12...|75%.|..6-12.|50%.|26:56|
TOF= Opponents Time of Possession
While 19 points a game doesn't seem that bad, Wisconsin has not faced the most impressive of schedules thus far. Only Austin Peay has failed to score a TD against the Badgers, while the likes of UNLV and San Jose State scored 21 and 14 respectively. In Big Ten play, against Michigan State and Minnesota, the Badgers have given up 28.5 per contest. The Badgers afford opponents 4.2 points every time the opponent reaches the Badger 20 (Note: a score of 6 would be the lowest score on this metric, meaning a team would score a TD every RZ opportunity.) The rush defense, as will be revealed in more detail below has not been as good as last season and is young in the middle of the line. The passing defense has shown strong improvement over last season's group which gave up over 305 yards per game. In all the categories explored above, it is clear that Wisconsin has a solid defense this season and one which is not too far inferior to the Buckeyes. Ohio State leads in every category except for sacks. Contrasting the points per red zone appearance against the Bagders, Ohio State is better as well, yielding 3.75 per opponent opportunity. The Buckeyes are a generally more experienced and deeper unit. Both the Badgers and Buckeyes have suffered from some injury problems. The Badgers will miss Big Ten Freshman of the year from 2009, LB Chris Borland while Ohio State is without the services of Tyler Moeller (Star) and CJ Barnett (SS). Each of these three individuals are out for the remainder of the 2010 campaign.
Defensive Line
DE #93 Louis Nzegwu (6-4, 250, Jr.)
DT #95 Patrick Butrym (6-4, 284, Jr.)
DT #91 Jordan Kohout (6-3, 290, rFr.)
DE #99 J.J. Watt (6-6, 292, Jr.)
Gone from a very good defensive line last season is O'Brien Schofield, who was unblockable at times and a complete terror to Big Ten offensive lines. In his place now is Nzegwu who is proving to be an able replacement. The 250 pound junior is 5th on the team with 23 tackles, 4.5 of which were behind the LOS and 2 of which have been sacks - tying him for first among all Badgers. To be sure, he's not Schofield, but he is making the most of his opportinunity. Watt is on the other end and he's been even more productive than has Nzegwu and is the leader of this front. Watt originally signed with Central Michigan and is a walk-on player at Wisconsin. He never takes a play off and this motor has led to strong results. Watt is tied for second on the team in tackles with LB Blake Sorensen with 30 tackles thus far. Watt has racked up 8.5 TFLs, a team leading number, and also has two sacks. Butrym is also a junior and has worked his way into the starting role after a solid sophomore season where he saw spot starts and was a consistent member of the rotation. He's not the best at collapsing a pocket, but doesn't give ground easily. He has recorded a line least 10 stops, with 2 TFLs and sack and a half. The final starter on the line is redshirt Jordan Kohout. After a year in the program he is bigger and stronger than when he arrived on campus and was one of the then true freshman who looked like they might see the field. Now, in his first season he has 18 tackles, 1.5 for loss with a sack.
Back up ends: #11 David Gilbert (6-4, 240, So.) and #92 Pat Muldoon (6-3, 262, rFr.), and tackles: #87 Ethan Hemer (6-6, 290, rFr.), and #96 Beau Allen (6-3, 325, Fr.) will spell the first unit. As the eligibility attests, this group of second stringers is young and inexpierenced. Gilbert, the lone sophomore of the group leads the pack with 11 stops with 1.5 sacks. Muldoon has seen action in all 6 contests and has 2 tackles. The second team interior are both redshirt freshman, but both bring big bodies and good potential. Hemer has been productive with 8 tackles and half a TFL, while Allen, a load at 325, has 2 tackles in the 6 Wisconsin games to date.
DL Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU DL
Unlike Ohio State, where the D-Line was anticipated as being the strength of the defense, Wisconsin's front four was anticipated to be the relative weakness. That should not read to mean that Wisconsin's D-Line is bad, because the are not by any stretch. In fact, the group may be playing with a bit of a chip on its shoulder and production has followed. As noted above, the bulk of the production has come from the ends and this is what Ohio State has seen as well from ends Cam Heyward and Nathan Williams. Ohio State enjoys an advantage with interior play, however, from Johnny Simon and Dex Larimore. Both Larimore and Simon have more success generating an interior rush and making plays in opposing backfields, though the pressure they've been able to create has not lead to a lead in the sack category. The Ohio State front is more likely to drop in to coverage on zone blitzes and the unit has 2 picks to its credit when doing so. The Buckeyes have a depth edge, though it must be noted that the Buckeyes depth isn't vastly more experienced. Ohio State's brick wall, freshman Johnathan Hankins continues to establish himself as the kind of guy who you can't keep off the field, while Solomon Thomas has been quietly productive as well. The distance between Ohio State and Wisconsin on the D-Line isn't vast, but it's enough to give Ohio State the edge here.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
FLB #9 Blake Sorensen (6-1, 231, Sr.)
MLB#15 Culmer St. Jean (6-0, 234, Sr.)
BLB #53 Mike Taylor (6-2, 223, So.)
Wisconsin's LB corps was dealt a big blow with the loss of Big Ten Freshman of the Year Chris Borland, who is out for the season due to a shoulder injury sustained against Arizona State. He qualifies for a redshirt season, however, and Big Ten opponents will hear his name quite a bit in coming years. Middle Linebacker St. Jean is the team's leading tackler with 33. While he has the speed and athleticism to get to the QB, he hasn't been very productive on blitzes thus far and has just one assisted tackled behind the LOS. He is solid in coverage and is always around the ball. Sorensen is second on the team in tackles with 30 and like St. Jean also has an assisted tackle behind the line. He is not all the fast, but he has proven to be a smart and productive player who can be counted on to do his job at all times. He also has a 16 yard INT this season. Taylor is the youngest of the bunch and has done a good job replacing the loss of Jaevery McFadden from the 2009 group. He's a speedy safety type who saw seven starts in 2009 before suffering a knee injury. Using his speed has resulted in a LB leading 6 TFLs to go along with his 26 tackles. He has not yet recorded an INT, but has the hands to grab an errant throw should one come his way.
Reserve LBs include #17 A.J. Fenton (6-1, 226, rFr.), #37 Kevin Claxton (6-1, 230, Jr.), and #36 Ethan Armstrong (6-2, 237, rFr.). Each reserve has seen action in each of the Badgers 6 games. Both Claxton and Armstrong have recorded 9 tackles each, with Armstrong making 2 stops behind the line and Claxton managing 1.5 TFL. Claxton has bulked up a bit from his "hybrid" build from a season ago and the nine tackles matches his 2009 total. Fenton has 3 tackles thus far.
LB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU LBs
DE #93 Louis Nzegwu (6-4, 250, Jr.)
DT #95 Patrick Butrym (6-4, 284, Jr.)
DT #91 Jordan Kohout (6-3, 290, rFr.)
DE #99 J.J. Watt (6-6, 292, Jr.)
Gone from a very good defensive line last season is O'Brien Schofield, who was unblockable at times and a complete terror to Big Ten offensive lines. In his place now is Nzegwu who is proving to be an able replacement. The 250 pound junior is 5th on the team with 23 tackles, 4.5 of which were behind the LOS and 2 of which have been sacks - tying him for first among all Badgers. To be sure, he's not Schofield, but he is making the most of his opportinunity. Watt is on the other end and he's been even more productive than has Nzegwu and is the leader of this front. Watt originally signed with Central Michigan and is a walk-on player at Wisconsin. He never takes a play off and this motor has led to strong results. Watt is tied for second on the team in tackles with LB Blake Sorensen with 30 tackles thus far. Watt has racked up 8.5 TFLs, a team leading number, and also has two sacks. Butrym is also a junior and has worked his way into the starting role after a solid sophomore season where he saw spot starts and was a consistent member of the rotation. He's not the best at collapsing a pocket, but doesn't give ground easily. He has recorded a line least 10 stops, with 2 TFLs and sack and a half. The final starter on the line is redshirt Jordan Kohout. After a year in the program he is bigger and stronger than when he arrived on campus and was one of the then true freshman who looked like they might see the field. Now, in his first season he has 18 tackles, 1.5 for loss with a sack.
Back up ends: #11 David Gilbert (6-4, 240, So.) and #92 Pat Muldoon (6-3, 262, rFr.), and tackles: #87 Ethan Hemer (6-6, 290, rFr.), and #96 Beau Allen (6-3, 325, Fr.) will spell the first unit. As the eligibility attests, this group of second stringers is young and inexpierenced. Gilbert, the lone sophomore of the group leads the pack with 11 stops with 1.5 sacks. Muldoon has seen action in all 6 contests and has 2 tackles. The second team interior are both redshirt freshman, but both bring big bodies and good potential. Hemer has been productive with 8 tackles and half a TFL, while Allen, a load at 325, has 2 tackles in the 6 Wisconsin games to date.
DL Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU DL
Unlike Ohio State, where the D-Line was anticipated as being the strength of the defense, Wisconsin's front four was anticipated to be the relative weakness. That should not read to mean that Wisconsin's D-Line is bad, because the are not by any stretch. In fact, the group may be playing with a bit of a chip on its shoulder and production has followed. As noted above, the bulk of the production has come from the ends and this is what Ohio State has seen as well from ends Cam Heyward and Nathan Williams. Ohio State enjoys an advantage with interior play, however, from Johnny Simon and Dex Larimore. Both Larimore and Simon have more success generating an interior rush and making plays in opposing backfields, though the pressure they've been able to create has not lead to a lead in the sack category. The Ohio State front is more likely to drop in to coverage on zone blitzes and the unit has 2 picks to its credit when doing so. The Buckeyes have a depth edge, though it must be noted that the Buckeyes depth isn't vastly more experienced. Ohio State's brick wall, freshman Johnathan Hankins continues to establish himself as the kind of guy who you can't keep off the field, while Solomon Thomas has been quietly productive as well. The distance between Ohio State and Wisconsin on the D-Line isn't vast, but it's enough to give Ohio State the edge here.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
FLB #9 Blake Sorensen (6-1, 231, Sr.)
MLB#15 Culmer St. Jean (6-0, 234, Sr.)
BLB #53 Mike Taylor (6-2, 223, So.)
Wisconsin's LB corps was dealt a big blow with the loss of Big Ten Freshman of the Year Chris Borland, who is out for the season due to a shoulder injury sustained against Arizona State. He qualifies for a redshirt season, however, and Big Ten opponents will hear his name quite a bit in coming years. Middle Linebacker St. Jean is the team's leading tackler with 33. While he has the speed and athleticism to get to the QB, he hasn't been very productive on blitzes thus far and has just one assisted tackled behind the LOS. He is solid in coverage and is always around the ball. Sorensen is second on the team in tackles with 30 and like St. Jean also has an assisted tackle behind the line. He is not all the fast, but he has proven to be a smart and productive player who can be counted on to do his job at all times. He also has a 16 yard INT this season. Taylor is the youngest of the bunch and has done a good job replacing the loss of Jaevery McFadden from the 2009 group. He's a speedy safety type who saw seven starts in 2009 before suffering a knee injury. Using his speed has resulted in a LB leading 6 TFLs to go along with his 26 tackles. He has not yet recorded an INT, but has the hands to grab an errant throw should one come his way.
Reserve LBs include #17 A.J. Fenton (6-1, 226, rFr.), #37 Kevin Claxton (6-1, 230, Jr.), and #36 Ethan Armstrong (6-2, 237, rFr.). Each reserve has seen action in each of the Badgers 6 games. Both Claxton and Armstrong have recorded 9 tackles each, with Armstrong making 2 stops behind the line and Claxton managing 1.5 TFL. Claxton has bulked up a bit from his "hybrid" build from a season ago and the nine tackles matches his 2009 total. Fenton has 3 tackles thus far.
LB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU LBs
The Wisconsin LBs would be better with Borland, but are still a solid group without him. Like the Ohio State LBs, Wisconsin rarely misses a tackle and is able to bring the wood while also wrapping up. The Badgers have not been particularly productive getting into the backfield but Ohio State's corps aren't exactly setting the world on fire either thus far. Some of that has to do with the Buckeyes having played primarily passing teams and with 2 instead of 3 LBs in most defensive sets. Wisconsin represents a philosophy on offense that will afford Andrew Sweat a more prominent role than he's been able to play of late and this should offset the loss of Tyler Moeller quite a bit. Both groups have relatively solid production from the second units, though Ohio State enjoys a slight "raw talent" edge. Wisconsin is a well disciplined and hard nosed unit which could improve making game changing plays. Ohio State is more athletic and has more turnovers created while also being quite sound with responsibility. Buckeye fans should anticipate a need for strong LB play this week. Not only do the Badgers have a reputation of pounding the running backs, but they also have a history of throwing to TEs - something that EMU was actually able to exploit in their beating a couple of weeks ago. The edge here goes to Ohio State, though if Borland were playing the gap would be closer.
Edge: Ohio State
Secondary
CB #29 Niles Brinkley (5-10, 190, Sr.)
SS #2 Jay Valai (5-9, 205, Sr.)
FS #7 Aaron Henry (6-0, 204, Jr.)
CB #26 Antonio Fenelus (5-9, 190, Jr.)
The relative strength could be the secondary. A quick look at the heights and weights suggests that Wisconsin essentially has 4 cornerbacks on the field, and that's not far off. The leader of the group is Valai, a big hitter who has great range but who can also be somewhat inconsistent as he has just 16 tackles thus far. Able in coverage, Valai has yet to record a pick this year, however. All that said, he always seems to come up with a big hit or something when the spotlight is on, as it will be this weekend. Henry is the secondary's leader in tackles with 23 (tied with Fenelus), and though he has not recorded an interception, he has the team's 2 fumble recoveries to his credit. He is a season removed from a torn ACL and seems to be playing more to form after struggling a bit last year, his first back from the injury. Brinkley was projected to be the first corner off the bench coming into the season, but is listed as the starter now. He suffered from a bum hamstring which may have limited him during offseason work outs. Brinkley can be a dangerous corner with the ball in the air, but he has yet to record an INT this season. He has 19 tackles. Fenelus, as mentioned above, is tied with Henry for tackles with 23 and has the only interception recorded by a starting DB - leading the team with 2. Last season Fenelus worked his way into a starting role, but was later benched as he had troubles with the ball in the air. He needs to establish himself as more of a playmaker but has the potential to do so and has obviously done enough to maintain his current role as a starter.
Corners: #10 Devin Smith (5-11, 185, Jr.), #5 Andrew Lukasko (5-10, 179, Jr.), and #14 Marcus Cromartie (6-1, 183, So.) and safeties: #24 Shelton Johnson (6-0, 180, So.), and #12 Dezmen Southward (6-2, 205, rFr.) provide depth in the secondary. Smith was a projected starter coming into this season after starting all of the Badgers games in 2009. He was inconsistent however and has not been able to rise to a level approaching "lock down" as yet. Nonetheless, he has 10 stops and a pick this season in 6 games. Cromartie has made 2 stops in 2 games, while Lukasko has not yet recored a statistic. Both Johnson and Southward have played in each of the Badgers 6 games with Johnson recording 8 solo stops and Southward 5 total tackles. Of the two, Johnson is more likely to get noticed on Saturday as he has a habit of trying to take the kill shot.
DB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU DBs
Ohio State's secondary has recorded 6 interceptions to Wisconsin's 3. While Wisconsin appears improved over last year's group which gave up over 305 yards per game, they have not improved to the level that Buckeye fans are accoustomed to seeing from their own secondary. The Buckeyes have faced 15 more attempts against while yielding just 2 more receptions than have the Badgers thus far. It will be interesting to see how the Badgers play against a pass happy Terrelle Pryor. If they turn their backs, Pryor is liable to run, and if they lay in a zone, Pryor has proven able to pick apart defenses. It will be no easy task for them this week and much may be learned about how good they really are after signs of improvement. Devin Smith has starting potential, and Ohio State has suffered some injury in the secondary, but as has been revealed by the production in those losses, Ohio State has quality depth as well. The Bucks get the edge here as well.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Defensive Analysis
Overall, the Badgers are a solid defense with great potential. While the whole unit can be inconsistent at times, they are among the better defenses Ohio State will face this season. Wisconsin always seems able to "get up" for Ohio State and this season should be no different. The LBs are great at making tackles, but the guys in the secondary sometimes go for the big hit rather than wrapping up. The D-Line has been solid, and makes a lot of tackles, but has not been all that great in getting pressure on QBs with regularity. It will be interesting to see what part of Terrelle Pryor's game the Badgers try and take away. If they commit to stopping his run threat, Pryor has shown he will pick you apart. If the Badgers decide that Pryor has indeed so established, there's little question Pryor will forget about his strained quad and knee brace and grab yards in chunks with his legs. Ohio State's defense will have it's work cut out for them as well, as EMU exploited the middle with play action passes to the TE - something that the Badgers also do well. Over time, Ohio State has rebuilt itself into something which matches up better against speedy, spread based attacks. However, as everyone knows, the Badgers are more interested in running the football. That said, the Buckeyes have the personnel to stop a power running attack and chances are guys like Andrew Sweat are excited to get in there and hit some people old school style.
Overall Defensive Rating: B
2010 Wisconsin Badgers Special Teams PreviewEdge: Ohio State
Secondary
CB #29 Niles Brinkley (5-10, 190, Sr.)
SS #2 Jay Valai (5-9, 205, Sr.)
FS #7 Aaron Henry (6-0, 204, Jr.)
CB #26 Antonio Fenelus (5-9, 190, Jr.)
The relative strength could be the secondary. A quick look at the heights and weights suggests that Wisconsin essentially has 4 cornerbacks on the field, and that's not far off. The leader of the group is Valai, a big hitter who has great range but who can also be somewhat inconsistent as he has just 16 tackles thus far. Able in coverage, Valai has yet to record a pick this year, however. All that said, he always seems to come up with a big hit or something when the spotlight is on, as it will be this weekend. Henry is the secondary's leader in tackles with 23 (tied with Fenelus), and though he has not recorded an interception, he has the team's 2 fumble recoveries to his credit. He is a season removed from a torn ACL and seems to be playing more to form after struggling a bit last year, his first back from the injury. Brinkley was projected to be the first corner off the bench coming into the season, but is listed as the starter now. He suffered from a bum hamstring which may have limited him during offseason work outs. Brinkley can be a dangerous corner with the ball in the air, but he has yet to record an INT this season. He has 19 tackles. Fenelus, as mentioned above, is tied with Henry for tackles with 23 and has the only interception recorded by a starting DB - leading the team with 2. Last season Fenelus worked his way into a starting role, but was later benched as he had troubles with the ball in the air. He needs to establish himself as more of a playmaker but has the potential to do so and has obviously done enough to maintain his current role as a starter.
Corners: #10 Devin Smith (5-11, 185, Jr.), #5 Andrew Lukasko (5-10, 179, Jr.), and #14 Marcus Cromartie (6-1, 183, So.) and safeties: #24 Shelton Johnson (6-0, 180, So.), and #12 Dezmen Southward (6-2, 205, rFr.) provide depth in the secondary. Smith was a projected starter coming into this season after starting all of the Badgers games in 2009. He was inconsistent however and has not been able to rise to a level approaching "lock down" as yet. Nonetheless, he has 10 stops and a pick this season in 6 games. Cromartie has made 2 stops in 2 games, while Lukasko has not yet recored a statistic. Both Johnson and Southward have played in each of the Badgers 6 games with Johnson recording 8 solo stops and Southward 5 total tackles. Of the two, Johnson is more likely to get noticed on Saturday as he has a habit of trying to take the kill shot.
DB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU DBs
Ohio State's secondary has recorded 6 interceptions to Wisconsin's 3. While Wisconsin appears improved over last year's group which gave up over 305 yards per game, they have not improved to the level that Buckeye fans are accoustomed to seeing from their own secondary. The Buckeyes have faced 15 more attempts against while yielding just 2 more receptions than have the Badgers thus far. It will be interesting to see how the Badgers play against a pass happy Terrelle Pryor. If they turn their backs, Pryor is liable to run, and if they lay in a zone, Pryor has proven able to pick apart defenses. It will be no easy task for them this week and much may be learned about how good they really are after signs of improvement. Devin Smith has starting potential, and Ohio State has suffered some injury in the secondary, but as has been revealed by the production in those losses, Ohio State has quality depth as well. The Bucks get the edge here as well.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Defensive Analysis
Overall, the Badgers are a solid defense with great potential. While the whole unit can be inconsistent at times, they are among the better defenses Ohio State will face this season. Wisconsin always seems able to "get up" for Ohio State and this season should be no different. The LBs are great at making tackles, but the guys in the secondary sometimes go for the big hit rather than wrapping up. The D-Line has been solid, and makes a lot of tackles, but has not been all that great in getting pressure on QBs with regularity. It will be interesting to see what part of Terrelle Pryor's game the Badgers try and take away. If they commit to stopping his run threat, Pryor has shown he will pick you apart. If the Badgers decide that Pryor has indeed so established, there's little question Pryor will forget about his strained quad and knee brace and grab yards in chunks with his legs. Ohio State's defense will have it's work cut out for them as well, as EMU exploited the middle with play action passes to the TE - something that the Badgers also do well. Over time, Ohio State has rebuilt itself into something which matches up better against speedy, spread based attacks. However, as everyone knows, the Badgers are more interested in running the football. That said, the Buckeyes have the personnel to stop a power running attack and chances are guys like Andrew Sweat are excited to get in there and hit some people old school style.
Overall Defensive Rating: B
That loud sigh of relief you may have heard last Saturday came from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Why you ask? It is because the Buckeye Special Teams have finally begun playing up to their potential as set forth by their Special-Teams-conscious coach Jim Tressel. And this has come not a moment too soon as the meat of the schedule begins this weekend against Wisconsin.
Special Teams
Wisconsin
P #98 Brad Nortman (6-3, 211, Jr., Brookfield HS, Brookfield, WI)
PK #18 Philip Welch (6-3, 197, Jr., Fort Collins HS, Fort Collins, CO)
PR #7 Aaron Henry (6-0, 204, Jr., Immokalee HS, Immokalee, FL)
PR #4 Jared Abbrederis (6-2, 185, Fr., Wautoma HS, Wautoma, WI)
KR #20 James White (5-11, 198, Fr., St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
KR #27 Kyle Zuleger (5-11, 183, Fr., East HS, Appleton, WI)
LS #62 Kyle Wojta (6-2, 222, Jr., East HS, LaFollette HS, Madison, WI)
The Badgers sport a lot of inexperience on their Special Teams - 3/4 of the returners are freshmen - and it shows. They rank in the bottom half of the FCS in every statistical category. Nortman has punted 21 times on the years for a 42.24 avg, good for 67th in the Nation. The Badgers' returners Welch and Henry have returned 13 punts for 126 yards (9.69 avg) which ranks 45th in the nation. Wisconsin has not enjoyed much success returning kicks either. White and Zuleger have returned 25 kicks for 461 yards, only a 18.44 avg. This ranks them at 111th in the nation. On defense, they fare little better. The Badgers punt return defense has allowed 6 punts to be returned for 108 yards (18.0 avg) and one TD. This ranks them at number 115 (out of 120). The kickoff return defense is little better. They allow over 23 yards per return and have also allowed a TD. All this aside, Wisconsin has the athletes to be dangerous on Special Teams and the Buckeyes must play at their highest level.
ST Rating: D
Ohio State
P #17 Ben Buchanan (6-0, 195, Fr., Westerville Central HS, Westerville, OH)
PK #24 Devin Barclay (5-10, 204, Sr., McDonough HS, Annapolis, MD)
KO #24 Drew Basil (6-1, 206, Fr., Chillicothe HS, Chillicothe, OH)
PR #8 DeVier Posey (6-2, 200, Jr., LaSalle HS, Cincinnati, OH)
PR #10 Corey Brown (5-10, 170, Fr., Cardinal O'Hara HS, Upper Darby, PA)
PR #7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, So., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
KR #1 Dan Herron (5-10, 202, Jr., Harding HS, Warren, OH)
KR #3 Brandon Saine (6-1, 219, Sr., Piqua HS, Piqua, OH)
KR #7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, So., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
KR #4 Jaamal Berry (5-10, 200, Fr., Palmetto HS, Pinecrest, FL)
LS #96 Jake McQuaide (6-3, 234, Sr., Elder HS, Cincinnati, OH)
Hldr #14 Joe Bauserman (6-1, 233, Jr., Lincoln HS, Stasburg, VA)
The emphasis on improved Special Teams play paid off with a solid effort vs Indiana. Basil put all of the kickoffs near or in the end zone and Buchanan boomed several punts to help the defense in its battle for field position. The Buckeyes have now improved statistically every week since the Ohio game. Buchanan has increased his net average from 28.8 (117th) to 31.74 (115th). The kickoff return team continues to shine, still averaging 26.79 yards per return to be among the nation's leaders. The kickoff return defense held Indiana to minimal yardage last week to decrease their average to 21.62 per return (64th in the nation). The punt return defensive stats are also improving, with a 7.05 average and a 81st ranking. The only miscue was the FG block in the first quarter, but that was a 50+ yard attempt. Many from that distance get blocked due to the low trajectory needed.
ST Rating: C
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
The Buckeyes look like they may have turned it around for Special Teams' play, based on their last 3 games. There is still room for improvement, though, and the Special Teams MUST hold up their end if Ohio State is going to win their 7th consecutive Big Ten Championship and a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. Judging by the improvement and Coach Tressel's historical emphasis on Special Teams, this will be the case.
PredictionsSpecial Teams
Wisconsin
P #98 Brad Nortman (6-3, 211, Jr., Brookfield HS, Brookfield, WI)
PK #18 Philip Welch (6-3, 197, Jr., Fort Collins HS, Fort Collins, CO)
PR #7 Aaron Henry (6-0, 204, Jr., Immokalee HS, Immokalee, FL)
PR #4 Jared Abbrederis (6-2, 185, Fr., Wautoma HS, Wautoma, WI)
KR #20 James White (5-11, 198, Fr., St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
KR #27 Kyle Zuleger (5-11, 183, Fr., East HS, Appleton, WI)
LS #62 Kyle Wojta (6-2, 222, Jr., East HS, LaFollette HS, Madison, WI)
The Badgers sport a lot of inexperience on their Special Teams - 3/4 of the returners are freshmen - and it shows. They rank in the bottom half of the FCS in every statistical category. Nortman has punted 21 times on the years for a 42.24 avg, good for 67th in the Nation. The Badgers' returners Welch and Henry have returned 13 punts for 126 yards (9.69 avg) which ranks 45th in the nation. Wisconsin has not enjoyed much success returning kicks either. White and Zuleger have returned 25 kicks for 461 yards, only a 18.44 avg. This ranks them at 111th in the nation. On defense, they fare little better. The Badgers punt return defense has allowed 6 punts to be returned for 108 yards (18.0 avg) and one TD. This ranks them at number 115 (out of 120). The kickoff return defense is little better. They allow over 23 yards per return and have also allowed a TD. All this aside, Wisconsin has the athletes to be dangerous on Special Teams and the Buckeyes must play at their highest level.
ST Rating: D
Ohio State
P #17 Ben Buchanan (6-0, 195, Fr., Westerville Central HS, Westerville, OH)
PK #24 Devin Barclay (5-10, 204, Sr., McDonough HS, Annapolis, MD)
KO #24 Drew Basil (6-1, 206, Fr., Chillicothe HS, Chillicothe, OH)
PR #8 DeVier Posey (6-2, 200, Jr., LaSalle HS, Cincinnati, OH)
PR #10 Corey Brown (5-10, 170, Fr., Cardinal O'Hara HS, Upper Darby, PA)
PR #7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, So., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
KR #1 Dan Herron (5-10, 202, Jr., Harding HS, Warren, OH)
KR #3 Brandon Saine (6-1, 219, Sr., Piqua HS, Piqua, OH)
KR #7 Jordan Hall (5-9, 195, So., Jeanette HS, Jeanette, PA)
KR #4 Jaamal Berry (5-10, 200, Fr., Palmetto HS, Pinecrest, FL)
LS #96 Jake McQuaide (6-3, 234, Sr., Elder HS, Cincinnati, OH)
Hldr #14 Joe Bauserman (6-1, 233, Jr., Lincoln HS, Stasburg, VA)
The emphasis on improved Special Teams play paid off with a solid effort vs Indiana. Basil put all of the kickoffs near or in the end zone and Buchanan boomed several punts to help the defense in its battle for field position. The Buckeyes have now improved statistically every week since the Ohio game. Buchanan has increased his net average from 28.8 (117th) to 31.74 (115th). The kickoff return team continues to shine, still averaging 26.79 yards per return to be among the nation's leaders. The kickoff return defense held Indiana to minimal yardage last week to decrease their average to 21.62 per return (64th in the nation). The punt return defensive stats are also improving, with a 7.05 average and a 81st ranking. The only miscue was the FG block in the first quarter, but that was a 50+ yard attempt. Many from that distance get blocked due to the low trajectory needed.
ST Rating: C
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
The Buckeyes look like they may have turned it around for Special Teams' play, based on their last 3 games. There is still room for improvement, though, and the Special Teams MUST hold up their end if Ohio State is going to win their 7th consecutive Big Ten Championship and a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. Judging by the improvement and Coach Tressel's historical emphasis on Special Teams, this will be the case.
BB73's prediction: 27-17, Ohio State
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 34-10, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 24-20, Ohio State
Fungo Squiggly's prediction: 23-13, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 37-16, Ohio State
JCOSU86's Prediction: 34-17, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 28-21, Ohio State
Previous Game's Results (tOSU 38 - Indiana 10)
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual score versus predicted score. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
(093) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 38-16, Ohio State (6 + 087 last week = 093)
(108) Bucklion's prediction: 34-24, Ohio State (18 + 090 last week = 108)
(110) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 38-10, Ohio State (0 + 110 last week = 110)
(111) Fungo Squiggly's prediction: 34-20, Ohio State (14 + 097 last week = 111)
(112) jwinslow's prediction: 34-17, Ohio State (11 + 101 last week = 112)
(115) JCOSU86's prediction: 34-7, Ohio State (7 + 108 last week= 115)
(119) BB73's prediction: 34-20 Ohio State (14 + 105 last week = 119)
Adjusted scores for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 34-10, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 24-20, Ohio State
Fungo Squiggly's prediction: 23-13, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 37-16, Ohio State
JCOSU86's Prediction: 34-17, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 28-21, Ohio State
Previous Game's Results (tOSU 38 - Indiana 10)
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual score versus predicted score. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
(093) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 38-16, Ohio State (6 + 087 last week = 093)
(108) Bucklion's prediction: 34-24, Ohio State (18 + 090 last week = 108)
(110) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 38-10, Ohio State (0 + 110 last week = 110)
(111) Fungo Squiggly's prediction: 34-20, Ohio State (14 + 097 last week = 111)
(112) jwinslow's prediction: 34-17, Ohio State (11 + 101 last week = 112)
(115) JCOSU86's prediction: 34-7, Ohio State (7 + 108 last week= 115)
(119) BB73's prediction: 34-20 Ohio State (14 + 105 last week = 119)
Adjusted scores for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
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