Ohio State’s ground game gives Big Ten big bump in rushing

“We’ve played against good teams, but that’s no excuse”, said Ogunbowale. Wisconsin is a considerably more formidable opponent, so Ohio State will need to improve its performance by a wide margin if the Buckeyes are to prevail in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin needs to refocus after suffering its first loss, 14-7 at MI two weekends ago, although that effort against a top-five opponent didn’t tarnish Urban Meyer’s opinion of the Badgers.

Trend: Ohio State is 4-0 SU and ATS in its last four games against Wisconsin.

Ohio State will be looking to bounce back after a lackluster performance against IN last Saturday IN Columbus. I think this weekend’s marquee games will perhaps lend some good insight into who the better of these two teams actually is. Schierhorn was named the 2016 Big Ten Goaltender of the Year as well as a first-team All-Big Ten honoree. Wisconsin has a defense that can go big play-for-big play with Ohio State, even with outside linebacker Vince Biegel sidelined with a foot injury. And while Wisconsin’s defense has been up to the task this season (291.4 ypg allowed), Ohio State’s has been just as potent.

Ohio State comes into this one cruising on a 5-0 record and a No. 2 national ranking. You have to make sure the players are not being bombarded.

The Buckeyes’ defense, like its offense, had three returning starters – end Tyquan Lewis, cornerback Gareon Conley and McMillan.

Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett enters the week two scores shy of tying Braxton Miller (88) for first place on Ohio State’s all-time list for touchdown responsibility. Nebraska has gained at least 400 yards in seven straight games, the Huskers’ longest streak since 2012. The Badgers are allowing only 90.4 rushing yards per game this season.

It might not be easy, but it will be another win for Ohio State. Clemson is still trying to establish its same rhythm from a year ago, and this game will give us a glimpse at just how good it is.

Now, as good as the defenses of Ohio State and MI are, they’re a lot better when they aren’t blocked.

Very little separates these teams from the objective, statistical standpoint. But the Badgers are eighth in the Big Ten in rushing at 161.6 yards per game and the Buckeyes are No. 2 in the conference defending the run, which means Wisconsin could have trouble establishing a ground game.

The multi-faceted attack of Weber, Barrett and H-back Curtis Samuel has combined for a 6.5-yard per-carry average, and they’ve done it behind an offensive line that has three new starters.

I thought I’d look into these team’s best wins and their remaining schedules since they all hope to get into the elusive College Football Playoff.

The Buckeyes held IU to 99 yards rushing and 281 yards overall.

6, Derrick Tindal CB (NR): Registering an interception in consecutive games, Tindal has been steady helping shut down his side of the field. Altogether there are 7 ranked SEC teams and 4 ranked B1G teams. From the start, he struggled to block second level defenders, which makes running much more hard.

FILE – In this September 3, 2016, file photo, Nebraska head coach Mike Riley watches from the sideline before an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb. It wasn’t the type of game that we looked forward to playing.

Ohio State has proven to be an excellent road team under Meyer, but these two games will show how much this young team has matured throughout the season. Bryant was terrific in his freshman season, averaging 11.9 points per game and 5.8 rebounds, also leading the Big Ten with a 68.3-percent shooting clip.

While she was happy with the plays she and her teammates were able to make, Abbott agrees with Davis that basic plays got too sloppy. One was eight yards behind a guy, one was 10 yards behind a guy.

Olive Sagapolu NT: Sagapolu continues to do his job and do it well. IU may not face top teams like Notre Dame or Louisville, but what is left on their schedule could set them up nicely for the Big Ten Tournament.