Pre-Snap Read: Badgers set to take on Ohio State for Big Ten title
TALE OF THE TAPE | JOHN VELDHUIS' FIRST AND TEN | BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP MAILBAG | TITLE GAME PREDICTIONS | EDWARDS, NELSON ARE ALL-BIG TEN | BADGERS MOVE UP TO 4 IN CFP | UPON FURTHER REVIEW | NEED TO KNOW |
INDIANAPOLIS - The No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) will take on No. 8 Ohio State (10-2, 8-1) at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in the Big Ten Championship Game, and BadgerBlitz.com will be there to take in all of the action.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:17 p.m. CST, and the game is scheduled to air on FOX. Make sure you're up to speed on what you need to know about the game with our Pre-Snap Read below.
FIRST READ: CAN THE BADGERS PRESSURE J.T. BARRETT?
If he plays, and the Buckeyes are saying that he will, Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett is going to be a handful for Wisconsin's defense. He's a good passer and can hurt teams with his legs - something the Badgers know all too well after Barrett was able to scramble for first downs in their game at Camp Randall Stadium last year. If the Badgers can get some pressure on Barrett and keep him in the pocket they'll have a chance to capitalize on his mistakes. If they can't, it will be tough for the Badgers to keep Ohio State under wraps for long.
SECOND READ: CAN THE BADGERS AVOID TURNOVERS?
Wisconsin's defense has helped their offense avoid paying too dearly for their turnovers this year, whether it's Alex Hornibrook's interceptions or Jonathan Taylor's fumbles. But if the Badgers turn the ball over multiple times against Ohio State's defense, it's going to be hard for their defense to keep the Buckeyes from capitalizing on those mistakes. The best thing the Badgers can do this week is play mistake-free football. If their defense plays like they have this whole season and the offense doesn't give the ball away, the Badgers will have a chance to win.
THIRD READ: HOW DO THE BADGERS HANDLE THEIR BIGGEST TEST YET?
It's not hyperbolic to say that this is the most consequential game in the history of Wisconsin's football program. The Badgers have never been so close to playing for a national championship - and after the College Football Playoff's selection committee ranked them No. 4 this week, they are all but guaranteed a spot in the playoff if they win this weekend. The Badgers have played for conference titles and Rose Bowl bids before, but this is different. And how the team rises to the occasion (or doesn't) is something that people are going to remember about this game for a long time.
WEEKLY PODCAST
BADGERBLITZ.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS
John Veldhuis: Wisconsin 21, Ohio State 17
(12-0 this season)
I don't feel great about this pick, and this game could easily go the other way. But there's something special about this Wisconsin team that makes me think they take care of business on Saturday. It won't be easy, but no one will be able to say the Badgers didn't earn a playoff bid if they can beat No. 8 Ohio State as a final statement.
___________________________________________________
John Veldhuis covers Wisconsin football, basketball and recruiting for BadgerBlitz.com on the Rivals.com network. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnVeldhuis.