The second half of Ohio State’s 2025 regular season begins in less than 24 hours.
The Buckeyes are heavily favored to improve to 7-0 on Saturday as the undefeated, No. 1-ranked team in the country faces Wisconsin, who’s lost four straight games, including a 37-0 defeat at Camp Randall Stadium last week. But Ohio State isn’t taking any opponent for granted, especially when it’s playing a Big Ten opponent on the road.
“We know going in any game on the road is a challenge in this league,” Ryan Day said this week. “We want to just continually focus on our process and how we do things. But I think the other thing is, there's a lot of ways to look at it, but I'm sure they feel like their backs are against the wall a little bit, fighting for the season. So when you get that, you're going to get a team that's going to come out with their hair on fire. So we have to match that intensity and then some.”
With that in mind, Ohio State still has some questions to answer – even if more about the Buckeyes’ own improvement than what they need to do to beat their opponent – as they Wisconsin in their seventh game of the season. If all goes according to plan, though, it should be an opportunity for both Ohio State’s stars and backups to show out against a reeling opponent.
In Last Call, we break down the biggest questions entering the game, pick our top players to watch and make some predictions for what we’ll see what happen in Madison.
Questions
Can Ohio State’s run game find its groove?
If it does, Ohio State will cruise to an easy victory. The Buckeyes’ top-ranked defense has a massive advantage over Wisconsin’s offense, which ranks dead last in points per game among Power 4 teams. Ohio State should also be able to move the ball in the air against Wisconsin’s passing defense, which also ranks outside the top 100 nationally with 7.9 yards allowed per attempt. But the Badgers are capable of making life difficult for the Buckeyes on the ground, as Wisconsin ranks 19th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (97.5) while the Buckeyes have averaged less than 3.5 yards per carry against Power 4 opponents.
Ohio State’s need to improve its run game has been a big talking point this week after the Buckeyes were held to just 106 yards on 37 carries against Illinois, which has allowed more yards per carry to every other FBS opponent it’s faced this season. It’s perhaps the biggest deficiency that threatens to stymie the Buckeyes against Michigan and in the postseason, which is what everything will be building up to over Ohio State’s next five games.
Assuming Bo Jackson is full-go after leaving the Illinois game early with an ankle injury, that will give the Buckeyes‘ ground game a boost. But whether it’s Jackson or CJ Donaldson or James Peoples, Ohio State would certainly like to see more explosive runs and consistent yardage from its backs, and it’s the one area where the Buckeyes could really prove something against a Wisconsin team that struggles in all other areas.
– Dan Hope
How efficient will Ohio State be in the red zone?
Ohio State’s red zone offense has been a weak spot this season, ranking No. 44 nationally in efficiency. Across 31 trips inside the 20 in six games, the Buckeyes have scored 12 rushing touchdowns, 10 passing touchdowns and six field goals — far too many for a team of their caliber. Wisconsin’s defense is stout, so Ohio State is likely to face resistance near the goal line. Still, if the Buckeyes manage a breakthrough this week, it could signal better things ahead for the offense.
– Chase Brown
Does Nick McLarty get a shot at punter?
Starting punter Joe McGuire has been underwhelming thus far this season for Ohio State. Especially recent. On the season, he averages 40.9 yards per punt, a decline from his 42.1-yard average in 2024. Against Illinois, he punted four times and averaged just 37.8 yards per boot.
McLarty was brought in from Australia, where McGuire also hails from, specifically for his massive leg. His best punts go further than anyone else's on the Buckeyes' roster. But he's been marred by inconsistency in practice through his two seasons at Ohio State, and it's clear that Ryan Day (as he probably should) prefers a reliable 35-40 yards to someone who has an equal chance to bomb or shank the ball. But with in-game opportunities, should he get some, maybe McLarty can prove himself. He has one punt for 45 yards this year, which was against Grambling State in Week 2.
– Andy Anders
Players to Watch
Jeremiah Smith
Some of the media outlets that released midseason All-American teams this week named Smith as only a second-team selection, which could put a chip on the shoulder of Ohio State’s superstar receiver. After a relatively quiet game last week (five catches, 42 yards, one touchdown), Smith needs a big day against the Badgers to keep himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation. The Buckeyes should give Smith plenty of opportunities to make plays with that in mind, and I expect him to deliver.
– Dan Hope
Caleb Downs
Wisconsin's passing offense is truly abysmal, one of the worst in the FBS. The Badgers are 112th in the country in passing yards per game (180.3) and 94th in yards per pass attempt (6.7). They've also tossed eight interceptions to opposing defenses, the sixth-most nationally. Look for potential big plays from a ball-hawking Downs in the secondary.
– Andy Anders
Bo Jackson
I’m Ohio State. I’m Bo Jackson. … Going over here. Going over here now. Never get tired.
Jackson has been Ohio State’s best running back this season, but he’ll face a stiff test this weekend against Wisconsin, which ranks No. 14 in rushing defense (97.5) and No. 34 in opponent yards per attempt (3.5) in 2025. Should Jackson put up one of his best performances of the season against the Badgers? Probably not. Still, Will Kacmarek said this week that Ohio State feels “one block away” from breaking off an explosive touchdown run. When that block finally comes — and it could as soon as Saturday — Jackson seems poised to be the one who benefits.
– Chase Brown
Predictions
Ohio State’s defense earns its second shutout of 2025
As good as Ohio State’s defense has been this season and as bad as Wisconsin’s offense has been this season, the Buckeyes won’t be satisfied with anything less than a shutout at Camp Randall. Facing an offense that’s averaged just 8.5 points per game in Big Ten play, I expect Matt Patricia’s unit to dominate from start to finish and post its second goose egg of the year, having already shut out Grambling State in September.
– Dan Hope
Ohio State blocks one of Wisconsin's many punts
I expect the Badgers to punt a lot on Saturday — like, a lot. In Maryland’s 27-10 win over Wisconsin earlier this season, the Terrapins recorded both a blocked punt and a blocked field goal. It would be very bold to predict that the Buckeyes will match that feat. But it feels only a little bold to predict a blocked punt, so that’s exactly what I’ll do.
– Chase Brown
The Buckeyes' starters come out by the fourth quarter
I'm anticipating a blowout in this one, and a good chance to get some extra rest for Ohio State's key pieces rolling into the Buckeyes' second off week. Put the game to rest in the first series or two of the second half, call off the dogs early for Luke Fickell and gear up for November football.
– Andy Anders
