Week 6: Wisconsin Badgers Preview

If there' one team that has been a thorn in Jim Tressel's side since he arrived at Ohio State, it's the Wisconsin Badgers. While Ohio State is 53-17-5 overall against Wisconsin, Coach Tressel's record is a modest 4-3.

It seems like every time these two meet, it's a battle. Last year the Buckeyes won by a 31-13 margin, but the score hardly reflects what took place on the field. In the total yardage battle, Wisconsin outgained the Buckeyes 368-184. Time of possession was even worse, with the Badgers controlling the ball for 42:47 compared the Ohio State's 17:13. Were it not for two Scott Tolzien interceptions being returned for touchdowns and Ohio State special teams legend Ray Small returning a kickoff for 96 yards, it could've been Wisconsin, not Ohio State, who went to the Rose Bowl.

The 2008 contest in Madison was just as close. Despite the suspension of its entire marching band for what can only be described as improper use of its instruments, the home team held a 17-14 lead with less than six minutes to play. That's when true freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor led the most impressive drive of his young career. It was a beautifully orchestrated 12-play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by an 11-yard quarterback keeper for the go-ahead touchdown.

This year Pryor returns to the site of his first major triumph two years older and firmly entrenched in the race for the Heisman trophy. Pryor is coming off a week where, despite being limited by a quad injury, he set a career high throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns. On the season Pryor has completed 68 percent of his passes-a 10-percent improvement over 2009-while rushing for more than 6.0 yards per carry. .

No Shortage of Star Power

Tasked with slowing down Pryor and a Buckeye offense that ranks 6th nationally in points-per-game is a solid Badger defense led by Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year candidate J.J. Watt. Watt, a Junior defensive end, is second in the Big Ten with 8.5 tackles for loss. He also has racked up two sacks, four quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a blocked kick-all while leading the team in pass breakups with six. That's quite a stat sheet and offensive tackles Mike Adams and J.B. Shugarts will have a tough time preventing him from adding to it. Overall the Badgers are giving up 19.0 points per game, good enough for 32nd nationally.

On offense, Wisconsin is a vintage Big Ten team. It features an offensive line where all five starters weigh more than 320 pounds. If the Buckeyes plan on trying to blow these guys off of the line, it could be a long day. Defensive end Nathan Williams will be a key player this week as he uses his speed off the edge to counter Wisconsin's size.

The Badger offensive line opens holes for what is arguably the best 1-2 running back punch in the conference. Junior John Clay is a 6'1" 255-lb. wrecking ball of a running back who has racked up just short of 700 yards (6.0 ypc) this season. If Clay brings the thunder, then true freshman James White is the lightning. White has run for fewer total yards than Clay (485), but his yards per carry is an incredible 7.7. On the season, the two have combined for 17 touchdowns. As the Buckeyes look to slow down the Badger running game, look for 6'3" 330-lb. freshman defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins to see lots of playing time. Hankins has performed admirably against the run thus far and Ohio State will need to lean on its depth as the game wears on.

When the ball isn't in the hands of Clay or White, it will be Junior quarterback Scott Tolzein leading the charge. Tolzein isn't asked to bear much of the burden for the Badgers, but when given the opportunity, he has proven an ability to make tough throws. Through six games he has completed 69.7 percent of his passes for 1,201 yards. Tolzein's favorite target is Tight End Lance Kendricks. The 6'4" Senior is a solid blocker and a playmaker in the passing game. Thus far he has caught 25 balls for 391 yards-that's an average of 15.6 yards per reception. Freshman Christian Bryant will likely need some help as he tries to cover Kendricks from his "Star" position.

What to Expect

With all of the talent on the Wisconsin roster, it's easy to see why they were a preseason top-15 team. Despite an early loss to Michigan State, the Badgers remain legitimate Big Ten title contenders. The Buckeyes, however, have even greater aspirations. As the newly crowned #1 team in the nation, they are firmly in control of their own destiny. Expect this to resemble a heavyweight fight early with both teams trading blows. John Clay will pound the inside and James White will try to get the edge, leading to a couple of early scores. Ohio State will respond on offense, with Pryor using his arm to exploit a suspect Wisconsin secondary.

The game will be close late, but in the end superior talent will win out. The Ohio State defense has a knack for forcing turnovers and that will be the difference in the game. A late turnover will doom the Badgers as the Buckeyes churn out a hard-fought road win 27-17.

Next up: Purdue Boilermakers