What: Step 6 to the Championship game
When: 7:00 P.M. EST
Where: Camp Randall
Why: Cause we're comin' to your city!
Our Ohio State Buckeyes will head over to Camp Randall tomorrow to meet the Gameday crew, and get ready for one of the best Big Ten match ups this year. We told you early on in the season that Ohio State would have three key games. Miami, Wisconsin, and Iowa all have great squads, that if we beat, can take us to the National Championship (barring any Purdue Harbors). Ohio State took care of Miami in an impressive fashion, but now Wisconsin is making the call.
Of course, we all know that the Buckeyes are now ranked #1 in the country, but many national pundits didn't think too much of the Buckeyes. Ohio State has played exactly one game away from the 'Shoe, and had a bit of a scare. As for the Badgers, they aren't a slouch. Only dropping a game to undefeated Michigan State (6-0, 2-0) Wisconsin still has a shot at Big Ten glory. The Badgers (5-1, 1-1) are good and particularly good at home. They've gone 40-4 at Camp Randall Stadium since the start of the 2004 season. What's more, the game is at night, allowing an already rambunctious student section to get even more fired up for the big showdown. The Badgers have won 25 of their last 28 night games, and those are impressive numbers.
On offense the Badgers are deadly, with a 2 headed monster at tailback with power runner John Clay and James White. The Badgers are physical and tough and rank fourth in he Big Ten in total offense at 450 yards per game. Scott Tolzien is one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the conference, and he still is able to get the job done. Last year, our defense was all over him, even returning an interception for a touchdown. Now Tolzien is improved, and has more weapons around him to use, so there will be more balance and that could spell trouble for the Buckeyes defense.
In 2008, the Badgers forced Terrelle Pryor to beat them with his arm and the freshman responded by completing 13 of 19 passes in an Ohio State win. Last year, Bret Bielema's defense made some adjustments and Pryor struggled as the Buckeyes needed 3 non-offensive touchdowns to get the win in Columbus. Although they lost a key linebacker on the tough defense. If the Buckeyes can find a consistent running game, the defense might not have a chance against Ohio State's offense.
Random notes
- Herron - 77 car, 355 yds, 7 tds
- Sanzenbacher - 27 rec, 411 yds, 7 tds
- Pryor said he was 100% full go for Saturday, but I can guess we won't see as much running from him as we are used to. This is a big game, and he will make the plays, but I don't know if they will be as spectacular.
- No word on if Brandon Saine will be more in the slot Saturday or not, but I can guess that it will be more of the same formations as it was against Indiana.
- Would anyone like to tell Tressel to run some more Berry?
- Don't be surprised if Jaamal Berry returns one to the house this game, he's one of the better return men in the country.
