Wisconsin at Ohio State Spread
The Wisconsin Badgers are in a battle to return to the Rose Bowl this year, all thanks to a Hail Mary. Apparently Michigan State knew Mary, and Wisconsin did not, because Mary came to the Spartans’ rescue last week on the last play for a 37-31 win.
Ohio State was at home watching, enjoying a week off after upsetting nationally ranked Illinois in Champaign. The Buckeyes have had good success over Wisconsin in recent years, and would want nothing more than to spoil the Badgers’ quest for a Rose Bowl redux.
The Buckeyes have won 53 of the 75 all-time meetings, including 29 of 39 in Columbus. Ohio State has won the last three meetings overall, though it vacated a 31-18 win last year due to NCAA violations.
The latest odds list Wisconsin as a 7.5 point road favorite, while the total has been set at 51.5 points.
Wisconsin
The Badgers got punished for the last-second loss last week, falling nine spots in the BCS standings – but more importantly, the loss dropped the Badgers a game behind division-leading Penn State in the race for a spot in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game.
After giving up 17 points or fewer in each of its first six games, the Badgers gave up 37 points in the loss to Michigan State. That effort dropped the Badgers’ scoring defense to sixth nationally (14 points per game). For the season, Wisconsin gives up just 287 yards per game (121 rushing, 166 passing) while forcing 10 turnovers and recording 18 sacks.
Chris Borland and Mike Taylor lead the unit with 135 total tackles (the closest teammate had 30), while Louis Nzegwu has five sacks and Aaron Henry and Antoni Fenelus each have two of the team’s seven interceptions.
Offensively, the Badgers continue to roll, as the 31 points scores last week was the team’s low for the season. Wisconsin ranks fifth nationally in scoring offense (47 points per game), eighth in rushing (252 ypg) and 36th in passing (260 ypg). Montee Ball leads the Badger run game with 768 yards and 17 touchdowns (6.1 yards per carry), with James White adding 458 yards and four TDs (5.7 ypc). Russell Wilson completes 73 percent of his passes for 1,780 yards and 16 TDs with just three interceptions.
The offensive line has allowed just 10 sacks.
Nick Toon and Jacob Petersen have combined for 12 TD catches, posting 46 catches overall for 767 yards. Jar Abbrederis leads with 30 catches for 482 yards and two scores.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes are coming off a bye week following a 17-7 road win over then-16th-ranked Illinois, which broke a two-game losing streak. This is the second of five consecutive games within the Leaders Division of the Big Ten.
Ohio State is one of the better defensive teams, ranking 12th nationally in scoring defense (16 ppg), while allowing 305 yards per game (188 passing, 117 rushing). The Buckeyes have allowed 17 or fewer points four times this season, including the seven allowed to the Illini. The unit has forced 13 turnovers and recorded 14 sacks. Andrews Sweet leads with 49 tackles, John Simon has three sacks and Bradley Roby has three interceptions.
The OSU offense has been a struggle, ranking just 88th in scoring offense (23 points per game) while listing 42nd in rushing offense (175 ypg) and 115th in passing (128 ypg). Carlos Hyde (408 yards, five TDs), Jordan Hall (321 yards, TD) and Braxton Miller (243 yards) get the brunt of the rushing work, while Miller and Joe Bauserman platoon at quarterback, completing 48 percent of their passes for 895 yards and 10 TDs with just three interceptions.
The offensive line has allowed 19 sacks.
The top receiver is Jake Stoneburner with 12 catches for 150 yards and six TDs – no other receiver has more than nine catches.
