Preview: #15 Ohio State at #20 Wisconsin
Yyyyeessss. Kick me again, harder!
 #15 Ohio State 4-1, 1-0 Big Ten Roster | Schedule |
October 4, 2008 8:00 PM ET - ABC —— Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI |
 #20 Wisconsin 3-1, 0-1 Big Ten Roster | Schedule |
You’ve heard the numbers all week long. Wisconsin is the only team in the Big Ten that the Vest has a losing record against (2-3). Bret Bielema has won 16 straight at Camp Randall. The Badgers’ last home night game loss came in 1995. Bielema squats 950 pounds. And so on.
Then there’s the history. After driving 76 yards to force a 10-all tie with six minutes to go, filthy rich Lee Evans snapped the Buckeyes’ 19-game winning streak by faking Chris Gamble out of his shoes the last time the two teams met in Madison. Four times in the last eight seasons, an unranked or lower ranked Badger team has knocked off a ranked Buckeye team.
But what about the epic meltdown last weekend in Ann Arbor? You know — the one where the Badger defense made Steven Threet look like Michael Vick? Surely this team can’t be any good. Well, you only have to look back to the upset in 2003 to see how an inspired Wisconsin team responded after getting embarrassed by UNLV in a 23-5 home loss. Make no mistake, this team will be ready to go and the atmosphere will provide a huge spark.
So, despite all of the excitement on our end over Pryor and the return of Beanie and any thoughts of weakness on the side of the Badgers, this is game is likely to be won like most Ohio State-Wisconsin games are won: by the team that comes out and punches the other one in the mouth the longest.
Opponent
If the Badgers are known for anything, it’s for having a punishing rushing attack. Ginormous linemen and fullbacks paving the way for star running backs that are often just as big. After missing P.J. Hill (#39) last year when he sat out due to a leg injury, the Buckeye defense will get their first taste of the 236 pound redshirt junior. The former consensus national freshman of the year broke on to the scene with a 1,569 yard season and followed it up with 1,236 yards in 11 games last year. He opened this season big by going for 210 against Akron but was kept largely in check by both Marshall (18/57) and Michigan (22/70). If you’re looking for patterns, he’s alternated big games with sub-par performances through four games this season and this week he’s due.
When Hill is stuffed, Wisconsin will turn to 23 year-old 5th-year senior Allan Evridge (#4). He saw limited action last season, but has just four career starts and only really looked exceptional in one of them — when he threw for 308 in week two against Marshall. Still, he only has four touchdowns on the year against three interceptions — not quite Bradford-esque.
That could be because the best receiver on the team, tight end Travis Beckum (#9) has only played in parts of two games. After sitting out against Akron and Marshall, he suited up against Fresno State in week three and had four catches for 51 yards. Last weekend, against the Wolverines, he didn’t enter the game until late, but he will be ready to go Saturday night. Big (6-4/235) and possessing great hands, if he’s anywhere near full speed, he’ll be a handful for the Buckeye defense — and a nice safety blanket for Evridge.
While Beckum was out, backup tight end Garrett Graham (#89) stepped up and is leading the team in receptions. He missed the Michigan game due to a foot injury, but like Beckum, he should be available against Ohio State. Not only does he provide Evridge with a second option he trusts, but he’s probably the better blocker of the two. When the Badgers line up in a double tight end set, they can throw just as easy as run.
One area the Badgers are not getting production out of is at receiver. Diminutive David Gilreath (#85) leads the group with just 11 receptions in four games, with a long of 22 yards. For someone of his size (5-11/165), you’d expect him to be a complete burner, but the fact that he only earned one track letter in high school seems to indicate otherwise. Glenville product Kyle Jefferson (#7) is the deep threat on the team. He’s tall at 6-5, but also thin as hell, checking in at 175 pounds. For the season, he’s been kept out of the endzone and was shutout completely by Fresno State.
Vandenheuval has grown somesince staring in Jerry Maguire
The Badger offensive line, in addition to being so skilled at run blocking can pass protect a little as well. They have allowed only four sacks on the season — or one less than the number of sacks the Buckeyes allowed to USC. The leaders of the group are big Kraig Urbik (#63) at right tackle and Eric Vandenheuvel (#71) on the other side. Between them the two seniors have an astounding 70 career starts and will provide a huge test to Gibson and Wilson.
The Badger defensive line is led by 5th-year senior defensive tackle Jason Chapman (#91) and senior defensive end Matt Shaughnessy (#92). Chapman is the real deal and may spark a little bit of tackle envy out of the Buckeye faithful. They don’t register a lot of sacks, but both are excellent at penetration and stuffing the run.
Senior linebacker Jonathan Casillas (#2) is a playmaker and snared an early 49-yard interception return against the Wolverines last weekend, but he’s probably best known in the CFB universe for his DUI arrest while riding a moped. He’s legit, but it’s hard to fear a guy with that on his record. That and the Steven Threet exhibition.
Cornerback Allen Langford (#17) has plenty of starts under his belt but hasn’t exactly been the dominant force he was expected to be after earning honorable mention all-conference accolades his sophomore year of 2006. Wisconsin does have six interceptions against only four passing touchdowns allowed on the year, but three of those picks came against Marshall. Akron and Fresno State both had success throwing the ball against the Badgers.
After the game in Ann Arbor last weekend, Wolverine running back Brandon Minor alluded to the fact that the Wisconsin defense was lacking in stamina, which Bielema quickly shot down, but the truth is if the Buckeyes can keep the Badger offense from eating up huge chunks of time and yards, this is a defense that can be exposed.
NOTES: Wisconsin’s last home loss came on November 12, 2005 to Iowa… Bret Bielema is 6-0 in night games… Camp Randall Stadium is the oldest stadium in the Big Ten conference… Badger tight end coach Joe Rudolph was on Ohio State’s staff from 2004-06.
Buckeye Breakdown
Much has already been made of the fact that this is Pryor’s first start in a hostile road environment. Personally, I’m confident that Jump Around and the loaded marshmallows won’t rattle him in the least. Players like Pryor, that seem to play at three levels above their competition, seem to rise to the occasion in circumstances like he’s sure to see. Think Vince in the Rose Bowl (or Ohio Stadium), Jordan at the Garden and Gallagher in front of a watermelon. Guys like this live for this sort of challenge.
Should Pryor struggle, the hero in last year’s matchup, Beanie Wells, will be around to take the pressure off. After being held to six carries in the first half, Beanie had eight rushes for 95 yards and two 30+ yard touchdowns on back-to-back second half drives to turn a 17-10 deficit into a lead on the way to a 38-17 Buckeye victory. He finished with 169 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the day, crossing the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career midway through the game.
If you live in the yellow, you’re in good shapeLook for the team to throw the ball around more often than it did last weekend when Pryor finished with just 13 attempts. I stress the word look because there have been and will continue to be many called passes that LIC turns into 20 yard gains on the ground. Just because he can.
Robiskie had his breakout game last weekend and it would be great to see Hartline do the same this week. Even better would be Posey, Small or Washington catching a bomb or two.
Rehring makes his return to the offensive line this week, but Tressel was very non-commital when pressed for how many plays he’d see. Brewster has had his share of rookie mistakes at center and will have his hands full with Chapman this weekend, but he’s starting to approach turn-the-corner territory in what could be the start of a great career in Columbus. I fully expect Boone to follow-up his excellent performance last week with another dominating game. It took a while, but midway through his senior season he may finally be learning how important it is to go hard on every play.
You’d be justified in being worried about the interior of the Buckeye defensive line taking on that Badger o-line and P.J. Hill. There’s a reason to be optimistic, however, because tackling Beanie in practice all of these years is about the closest you’re going to get to simulating what it’s like to tackle Hill. Still, it’s probably been a while since they’ve hit Beanie in practice.
If the Buckeyes can hold on first and second downs, the line should be able to pin their ears back and get after Evridge a little. Gibson is on the verge of having a coming out party of sorts and Heyward and Wilson are also both due for a game-changer. When defending the pass, the line should look to get their hands up as Evridge’s height (a generously listed 6-2) may allow for some batted passes.
Laurinaitis turned in a monster game against Wisconsin last season with 19 tackles and he should be just as active this weekend between tracking Beckum and stepping up in run defense. He’ll also get some help from Freeman and probably Hines and Coleman on the Beckum front.
Considering the way the Buckeyes took Eric Decker out of the game last weekend, I’m not at all troubled by the Wisconsin receivers — outside of Beckum. That statement will probably come back to haunt me, but that group should be neutralized by the skill and experience in the Buckeye secondary.
I’m sure the coaches have been drilling it into the team all week, but Bielema is a crafty cat. There was the clock chicanery against Penn State two years ago and don’t forget that Wisconsin dialed-up two fake punts against the Buckeyes last season in Columbus.
Key on the run, limit Beckum’s production and watch out for the trickery and Ohio State has a real shot to come out of Madison with that rare road win. If Pryor leads the Buckeyes to another touchdown on an opening drive, there’s good cause to believe the team will get the type of win that will impress the voters and maybe nudge the team up the rankings a bit.
NOTES: Ohio State is 6-3 in Big Ten night games under Tressel… J.B. Shugarts will be held out of action this week after hurting his shoulder in practice… OSU leads the all-time series with the Badgers 51-17-5 including a 23-10-2 mark in Madison… Surprisingly, the Buckeyes lead the Big Ten in return average… Mike Patrick, Todd Blackledge and Holly Rowe will be doing the game for ABC.
PREDICTION: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 16
41 Responses
I can’t wait for Saturday, i think Beanie will go for 150 and two scores. I like our defense against there offense. I do think that Beckum will have a good game though. I think for us Freeman makes three to four plays in the backfield i am ready to make a statement on national TV, that USC game was a fluke along with poor coaching. Lookout Badger nation OSU is on the verge of being one of top three rushing teams in the country and Robo is going to have another solid to great game. GO BUCKS
P.S. Heacock lets blitz there shitty QB i am tired of our pussy scheme let the silver bullets lose and play with wreckless style and stop being conservative. The best defense’s in the country blitz the hell out of people, which includes disguising blitz not showing it and stop putting LB on line scrimmage like they are DL, when they blitz let them shoot gaps not rush like they are Worthington or Heyward.
JBeveridge - 10/03/08 @ 8:29 am - #
JBEVERIDGE-
Agree 100% man, let the bullets loose. Stop letting O-lineman get to JL and Freeman. I want to see a few Nickel-storm blitzes with Hines. Man that kid can lay the wood. He is my standout player of the year thus far.
On offense, I think that if LiC can show poise in the pocket, their D-line will start rushing the edge, which opens up HUGE holes for the QB draw and obviously the Stiff Arm of Justice, or beanie wells if you wanna be uninspired about it.
Either way here is to a big night in Madison boys. *cheers*
BuckeyeSki - 10/03/08 @ 9:03 am - #
Calm down there JBEVERIDGE, I am a buckeye fan but I am also a realist. That USC game wasn’t a fluke, they gave us a “Boston Prostate Exam” (for the definition you can go to http://www.urbandictionary.com). Yes, coaching had a lot to do with it and it would have helped to have Beanie playing and Pryor start. But at the end of the day, we got whooped.
We can say it until we are blue in the face, WE NEED TO BLITZ, BLITZ, oh and did I say BLITZ. Wisconsin doesn’t have the speed, they have a Ron Dayne-esque RB.
Carence - 10/03/08 @ 9:04 am - #
I think the Ohio State defense is licking their chops at the prospect of facing a “traditional power running game,” instead of a spread offense, or a team with an experienced, mobile QB. I believe the OSU D will hold P.J. Hill under 100 yards.
I also have to believe that the Wisconsin defense is the ONLY defense in the country that could actually make Steven Threet look fast. Imagine what they’re thinking about how they are going to stop The Dynamic Duo! Bring on the marshmellows!
I agree with you JBEveridge, it’s time to blitz Allan Evridge(UW QB), get aggressive in D, and get some sacks! Enough with the zone defense. Man up!
Ohio State 31
Wisconsin 12
buckeyedude - 10/03/08 @ 9:18 am - #
Of course Mississippi would be the cut off point for the game. I mean the southEAST of the country would love nothing more than to watch west coast teams. Now ESPN gets 22 more of my hard earned dollars….
Ryan B. - 10/03/08 @ 9:24 am - #
Ryan B., see if you can catch the game on http://www.channelsurfing.net. I haven’t checked but hopefully they’ll stream the Oregon/USC game too because I don’t want to miss that either.
FlipBuckeye - 10/03/08 @ 9:40 am - #
JBeveridge- Blitzing only works if you actually get to the quarterback. I watched the USC a couple of times now and noticed when the Bucks did blitz, they didn’t get there quick enough. Sanchez was able to adjust and the corners were left on an island. The LBs were unable to keep up with the RBs out of the backfield.
That being said, I do not think the Wisky quarterback is has near the skills that Sanchez posesses. The wideouts are slower than USC wideouts. The only advantage Wisky may have over USC is the power running game.
I agree they need to blitz the hell out of Wisky on Saturday night. But if they are not getting to the QB, they are just wasting their time.
Robb - 10/03/08 @ 10:12 am - #
wow, there are some great optimists here! Actually I think the Bucks win but it is going to be close. That Badger team will be fired up and play well. I am really concerned that this Wisky team will out physical the bucks all night and that will allow them to stay in the game. TP and Beanie will have to make big plays for us.
I see this game as most likely being close to the end of the 4th quarter. But, I think the Bucks end up winning by 6-7 points.
I am concerned about the D line still - I think they get gashed on the ground, but hold down the fort just enough for the W. Wisky rushes for 170 - 200 yards on us but we still win because they only pass for 60 or so yards
OSU 24-17
Buckeyeblowoutwin - 10/03/08 @ 10:20 am - #
When we talk about USC game it will be a better call after they play Oregon. In the USC game its becoming more and more evident when we play a team where coaching is a big factor we don’t do well because whatever anybody says there is no way USC was that good.
JBeveridge - 10/03/08 @ 11:28 am - #
Is it just me, or is Jim Tressel a total perv? Tressel, on his package:
“I’m not looking to have the biggest package in the world,” Tressel said. “I’m looking to have the most effective one. Give enough so you apply pressure to the preparation of the defense, but do it well enough so that you’re really applying pressure.”
Matt - 10/03/08 @ 11:51 am - #
HAHAHA. Nice, Matt. I guess that’s how Ellen likes it.
Principal Skinner - 10/03/08 @ 1:04 pm - #
Love the pic! Long live Beavis and Butthead
Tyler - 10/03/08 @ 1:35 pm - #
Beanie gets 125 and a TD… Terrelle runs for 100+ and a rushing TD and Passes for 125+ and a passing TD…… OSU also gets a defensive TD as well…… Wisky gets over 100 on the ground in the typical Heacock ‘bend but don’t break” strategy and they will force Pryor into one interception that results in a score… but it will really piss him off!!
OSU 34 Wisky 20
PALM BEACH BUCKEYE - 10/03/08 @ 2:28 pm - #
I’m going with Tyler on this one. I never thought I’d see a Coach Buzzcut reference on this blog anytime soon. Awesome.
vico - 10/03/08 @ 2:46 pm - #
Kick me in the jimmy!
frosty - 10/03/08 @ 2:48 pm - #
MY PACKAGE IS BIGGER THAN YOUR PACKAGE!!! Just came across this quote from JT, you gotta love tressel-speak.
“I’m not looking to have the biggest package in the world,” Tressel said. “I’m looking to have the most effective one. Give enough so you apply pressure to the preparation of the defense, but do it well enough so that you’re really applying pressure.”
So SIZE DOESN’T Matter, take it from the Head Coach.
( no pun intended there)
GO BUCKS…Let’s see our PACKAGE, though not large, but EFFECTIVE, pound that Wisky Vaggage.
Bucks 36 - Badgers 13
OH—
JT Bucks - 10/03/08 @ 3:22 pm - #
Stewart Mandel calls out Mark May on Pryor, good article for the good shizzy section
http://fannation.com/si_blogs/the_sweep/posts/10901
Matt - 10/03/08 @ 4:33 pm - #
Nice find, Matt. Stewie is a Cincinnati (Sycamore) product, but went to NU.
Jason - 10/03/08 @ 4:56 pm - #
Correct me if I’m wrong, but last time we played in Wisconsin, didn’t Robert Reynolds have that infamous choking incident with the Wisky QB? I always thought Tressel should have done more than suspend that guy for a game.
dade county buckeye - 10/03/08 @ 5:04 pm - #
I dunno, DCB, I think Reynolds deserved a game ball for that move.
Principal Skinner - 10/03/08 @ 5:35 pm - #
No, the Reynolds choke hold (which ruled) occurred at the ‘Shoe in a 2004 loss to Wisconsin, which was incidentally the last time I caught a Buckeye game at the ‘Shoe. I wanna go back, I gotta go back…
Matt - 10/03/08 @ 5:47 pm - #
That chokehold was in Madison (he was choking Sorgi, who graduated), and are you guys seriously condoning it? What the hell?
poguemahone - 10/03/08 @ 5:51 pm - #
Did you also cheer on Reynolds when he beat his wife?
poguemahone - 10/03/08 @ 5:53 pm - #
Oops, my bad about the Madison mix-up. But the chokehold came in the context of football. It’s a brutal sport and and ‘crossing the line’ is all shades of a degree. Was Pryor’s shoulder hit on the the Minny linebacker out of line? How about Gholston’s clothesline tackle against Iowa Running back in 2005? Yes, none of those resulted in a suspension, and Reynolds got what was coming to him with the suspension. But I cheered when Clarett manhandled Sean Taylor at the Fiesta Bowl and ganked the ball back from him on the interception return. I didn’t cheer when he stole a ganked a cell phone and wallet from behind a bar in 2005. The former occurred in the context of football, the latter did not. So no, melodramatic poguemahone, I didn’t cheer when he beat his wife.
Matt - 10/03/08 @ 6:17 pm - #
The choke was not in the “context” of the game, the whistle had blown and the player was on the ground. He reaced down with his hand, and squeezed his throat. It was an idiot play that should have gotten him suspended.
The other two plays you mention, Clarrett strip and Gholston tackle, were not illegal.
It are the fans that condone those kind of plays that give Ohio State fans the reputation of being classless.
I do not currently live in Ohio and I see how Ohio State fans act. I have to constently apologize for their actions. There is a difference between passionate and classless.
I know the classless fans are far and few, but they are the ones that ruin it for everyone.
Robb - 10/03/08 @ 6:47 pm - #
I really cannot believe anyone would condone that behavior out of a player. There simply wasn’t any place for that. I remember thinking at the time that I thought for sure he would have longer than a one game suspension for that; at the time it reminded me that Tressel was still a football coach after all and discipline will always be lenient at places like OSU, even if Tressel likes to put on a cleaner image than other institutions. This is still big time football and there will be questionable kids recruited and questionable disciplinary decisions.
But, I think I remember at that time that Tressel also said that Alvarez and he spoke about the incident and were in agreement that one game was suffice. So, who are we to judge one game as too lenient over those guys, really?? I just think it was one of the more embarrassing moments for the program in my time.
Buckeyeblowoutwin - 10/03/08 @ 7:07 pm - #
It will be a close game, but in the 4th quarter the Buckeyes break through and start rolling downhill with Pryor getting 100 yards on the ground, and Wells getting at least 150 rushing.
OSU 35
Wisconsin 17
Buckeye Dog - 10/03/08 @ 7:34 pm - #
Easy folks. Joking about something isn’t condoning it. You guys aren’t so high and mighty when you wanna take food off Mrs. Bollman’s table so relax.
Principal Skinner - 10/03/08 @ 8:08 pm - #
Gholston didn’t clothes-line Albert Young, he brought him to the ground with his arm in a legitimate tackle in the middle of the play. Albert Young wasn’t having his larynx crushed.
I’m sorry, but the Reynolds thing is not something we should joke about. It’s something that will haunt this program for years.
poguemahone - 10/03/08 @ 11:53 pm - #
As far as Mrs. Bollman AND Mrs. Heacock, as well paid as their husbands already are, I don’t think they’ll be suffering for want of food any time soon.
poguemahone - 10/03/08 @ 11:54 pm - #
Whatever, man. That Reynolds hit ain’t haunting shit. It was classless and stupid, but I can’t fathom any level headed person thinking that hit is haunting this program. In what way? Is that hit responsible for the UF, LSU and USC losses? Please explain. Seriously.
Principal Skinner - 10/03/08 @ 11:57 pm - #
It haunts the program because it makes he Bucks look like thugs from Miami(FL). Having a program with class is important to some. There is more than winning. Winning is very important but not the most important. I want to be proud of those kids on the field and off the field.
Maybe I view winning a little differently. I went to a service academy. Our guys played hard, but didn’t always win. Us military guys think football is just a game. Until football is life and death, choking someone will never be ok in my book.
The UF, LSU, and USC losses were the players fault. There are too many rumors about the UF game for none of them to be true. The Bucks backed into he MNC last year and should have never been there. USC I have no explaination for, the Bucks choked.
I do not live in Ohio, my service has taken me out of the Buckeye state. Many fans of other teams tell me they would take Tressel as their coach in an instant. Two of my co-workers have even said the hate Ohio State, but absolutely respect Tressel.
Behavior that brings negative attention to the team is humiliating. Look at #13 for example. Losing will never over shadow bad conduct.
Robb - 10/04/08 @ 12:33 am - #
Uh, what Robb said. Damn, lawya.
poguemahone - 10/04/08 @ 12:46 am - #
Robb, I don’t disagree with you but we are talking about one play. I don’t see how that one play haunts the program which was the original assertion. I think that’s major hyperbole.
Principal Skinner - 10/04/08 @ 1:31 am - #
I agree that it was only one play. I just wish ESPN would quit replaying it over and over and over……….
Robb - 10/04/08 @ 10:08 am - #
I’m gonna agree with Seymour Skinner on this one. You guys need to have a beer and lighten the fuck up. No one is condoning choking someone out, but we can joke about it in jest.
Kirk Barton said last year that this team needed to stomp on the oppossing team’s throats when we got them down, maybe Reynolds was just ahead of the curve! And NO ONE should joke about RR beating his wife…..unless she was wearing a Wisconsin jersey..ZING! (That’s a joke people, I know domestic abuse is bad)
Pog and Robb, while I respect your opinions in taking a stand on the issue, it was a joke. And as for the Buckeye fans being considered “classless” in the eyes of the nation, I say SO FUCKING WHAT. We really need to get over this obsession with our national perception. We have the most classy, PC coach in the history of college football and the entire country still HATES us and our coach. No amount of doing and saying the right or “classy” things is going to change that. We will not become a thug U type of program under Tressel (thank God), but we will not win back the masses by what we say and do. And why should we? We the fans love our Buckeyes, and the Buckeyes love their fans and that is all that is needed.
The bottom line is, RR isn’t the first Buckeye who turned out to be a prick and he won’t be the last. Let’s applaud THESE Buckeyes for their actions on and off the field. Here’s a beer and a “cheers” to hoping that these Buckeyes choke the life out of Wisconsin tonight, figuratively of course.
Tyler - 10/04/08 @ 10:35 am - #
I concur 100% Tyler.
I have about an hour drive to get to a local bar to watch the Bucks, I am pretty pumped right now. PSU is not winning impressively and neither is MSU.
Robb - 10/04/08 @ 1:56 pm - #
Come on Juice! I hate Michigan pretending to not suck…
!!! - 10/04/08 @ 5:35 pm - #
scUM’s D ain’t so bad. D-line is really good.
Secondary, obviously, can be abused. But the D is respectable, at least. The O…not so much.
Dan Isaacs (most of these were typed as lowercase letters.) - 10/04/08 @ 5:39 pm - #
Tyler, my man, I give you a thumbs up dude! Great post!
If you listen closely(on the net, on the radio, etc.), people don’t “hate” Ohio State because of the “Reynolds Choke Hold” or Maurice Clarrett.
They hate Ohio State because we’ve been to the NC 3 times in the last 5 years and we landed Terrelle Pryor.
I’m really surprised that one can drop do many “F” bombs in here and not get booted.
buckeyedude - 10/05/08 @ 12:20 am - #
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