Let's See What The Buckeyes Got

Coming To C-Bus

In my last post, prior to the Illinois game, I wrote how important it was for me to have bragging rights (my wife went to Illinois) in my house. Well, the Buckeyes won what it turns out may not have been as big a game (Illinois subsequently lost to Purdue) as we all thought/hoped it would be, but a win is a win and Illinois was ranked so the Buckeyes beat an undefeated ranked team on the road and that is great. Having bragging rights is fun, but honestly my wife could care less, so there was not a lot of residual gloating. Living in Chicago though I can smile a bit brighter around all of the Illini here. This week’s game though is almost as big a rivalry for me as the game against that team from up north (almost, but not quite). 

You see my older brother, my closest blood relative is a 1994 graduate of Wisconsin. He is almost as passionate for his Badgers as I am for my Buckeyes. He shares in season tickets to Wisconsin, has taken me to many a game in Madison. I have been to Madison for ties, wins and losses. For years since the early 1990s we have a “traveling trophy” (a small football) that goes to the winner of the game. Before last season we added to our bet, the loser has to dress in the other’s team uniform for Halloween. Last year on Halloween (my daughter’s birthday) there I was dressed in a Wisconsin uniform, it was a rough and tough night for me (though I did sneak a little Block O on my undershirt to keep OSU closest to my heart).

Honestly, I don’t think I can handle doing that again. I need to Buckeye’s to win this year. I would love to see my brother dress in the scarlet and gray. It would be great for him to don one of my many OSU hats, and put on either my #2 or #45 jersey for a night of trick or treating. Looking at the game, I can tell you it will be no easy task to gain revenge for last year’s loss in Madison. Wisconsin is loaded. They have a great QB, stud Running Backs, very talented receivers, a gigantic offensive line, and tough defense (though D could be their Achilles heal, if they have one).

However, with all of this perceived greatness they lost their first real test this season (yes they crushed Nebraska, but remember Nebraska had to rally at home, at night on Homecoming against an injured and out-manned Buckeyes to win). After playing home games against South Dakota, Oregon State, UNLV, and a de facto home game against Northern Illinois in Chicago they traveled to East Lansing and got beat (on one heck of a last second Hell Mary). While OSU gave up 10 to MSU, Wiscy gave up 37, that shows a chink in their armor, the defense is susceptible, if our offense and Boom are going to have a good show, why not have it at home, under the lights on Homecoming? 

Roby has to be ready for the Badgers passing attack

However, the Badgers can score, look at their record, scoring 31 against MSU was their lowest point total this season, and Sparty has a great D. Before Wisconsin only one other team had scored more then 20 points against their D (and that was Notre Dame) they even held that school up north to 14 points (along with only allowing only 7, in the last minute to the Buckeyes). The Silver Bullets, need to be the ball hawking, running, hitting, and tackling machines of years past. I hope Vrabel has his linebackers ready. 

The Buckeyes need one linebacker, preferably the fastest and smartest to spend the entire night shadowing and watching Wisconsin Quarterback. He is the epitome of dual threat, he can run and he can throw (he is who I hope Braxton Miller can become). He is experienced and does not make a lot of mistakes. The Buckeyes need to hit him and see if can become flustered. The Buckeyes need to hit him early and often, we need to remind him that the Badgers lost a heart-breaker last Saturday. This would also be a good time for our offense to wake up. 

The Illinois game showed we have some ability and skill. Boom has fresh legs and he seems to be raring to go. Hall can be a game breaker, and I believe we need to get Carlos Hyde re-involved in the offense (he is a load to bring down). When Tressel was our coach, you could always count on him to have a few tricks up his sleeve for a big game, what I don’t know is does Fickell have this same ability? Does he have the ingenuity to create a game plan to knock off the Badgers? We will find out this Saturday night. The Buckeyes need to remind the Badgers that the ‘Shoe is our house and we do not lose in our house. So good luck Buckeyes, let’s bring a W home, and selfishly, I do not want to dress as a Badger once again!!!!