With the Big Ten regular season in the books, the No. 9 Ohio
State Buckeyes and the No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers hook up in the conference title
game on Dec. 2,with the winner earning at worst, an automatic berth into the
New Year’s Six.
Both teams come off impressive rivalry wins on the road on
Nov. 25 as Ohio State (10-2, 8-1 Big Ten) defeated Michigan for the sixth straight season, 31-20 and looks for its second victory in the title game since its
inception in 2011. Wisconsin (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) prevented Minnesota from
becoming bowl eligible with a 31-0 win to put a cap on back-to-back West
division titles.
The Buckeyes have dominated in recent years with five straight
wins over the Badgers— highlighted by a 59-0 win in the 2014 Big Ten
Championship game.
In order for Wisconsin to overcome its past woes, tight end
Troy Fumagalli will be counted on then some to make critical plays when called
on.
The senior has amassed 460 yards on 36 receptions and three
touchdowns this season and could cause matchup problems for Ohio State as it
was exposed by Iowa for its inability to cover in that position, which
contributed to the 55 points allowed in a 31-point loss on Nov. 4.
Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook’s stats have not been
your eye catching, 15-second click bait commercials on YouTube with 18 touchdowns and 13
interceptions. Hornibrook also has a chip on his shoulder after letting the
game slip away in the last meeting against Ohio State in a 30-23 loss in overtime on Oct. 15, 2016.
Wisconsin star running back Jonathan Taylor could be in for
a long night against a talented Ohio State defensive front led by defensive end
Sam Hubbard. Hubbard made Michigan quarterback John O’Korn’s life miserable as
he totaled 2.5 sacks and five total tackles in the 11-point win. Expect the
junior to make Hornibrook and Taylor’s championship game a long one.
Do not count out Wisconsin’s defensive either as it has made
life miserable for all 12 opponents this season and has played a key role in
being the last undefeated team among the Power Five conferences. The Badgers lost
senior inside linebacker Jack Cichy to a season-ending knee injury in training
camp and could have easily folded things. Instead, Wisconsin rallied as a unit
and has surrendered no more than 20 points once this season (33-24 W over
Northwestern on Sept. 30).
Expect Ohio State/Wisconsin to be a defensive battle and a
reminder as to why the Big Ten can deliver throwback, low-scoring games in an era where most fans embrace basketball on grass.
Game Itinerary:
No. 9 Ohio State (East Champion) vs No. 5 Wisconsin (West
Champion)
Site: Lucas Oil
Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
Time: Saturday,
8:17 p.m. ET
TV/Online:
FOX/FOX Sports GO
Commentators: Gus
Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft (sidelines)
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