MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin running back Braelon AllenHe briefly thought about Saturday’s history question before he lost his way. The sophomore sensation at 18 didn’t know the answer the last time he looked. Badgers had beaten Ohio Stateupon reaching Columbus. When informed that it hadn’t occurred since 2004, Allen’s face went blank as though he were addressing an event from the Stone Age.
“I wasn’t even a year old,” Allen said. “That’s crazy.”
This statistic is just one of many that shows how difficult it will be for Wisconsin (2-1), to win an upset when playing No. 3 Ohio State (3-0), Saturday, 6:30 p.m. CT in Columbus The Buckeyes, a measuring stick for all Big Ten teams, have come to serve as a longtime thorn in the Badgers’ side. Ohio State has beaten Wisconsin in eight consecutive matchups and 11 of the past 12 games dating to that 2004 contest — five of which have occurred at the Horseshoe.
Given the dominance Ohio State has displayed over the years and the high level at which the Buckeyes currently are playing, even the most optimistic Badgers fans could be forgiven for believing their team — a 17.5-point underdog to open the week — is a long shot to win.
“I believe it’s probably the biggest game that I’ve played in, as well as a lot of my teammates,” Allen said. “At the same time, you’ve just got to look at it like another game, approach it the same way. Obviously, I would say the focus at practice is probably going to be a little different, just because we know who we’re playing.”
What has Ohio State done to the Big Ten in its battle against them? The Buckeyes are a staggering 77-5 in regular-season conference games over the past 10 seasons. The Buckeyes have a 40-1 record against Big Ten home teams, with the only loss coming against a Nov. 21st, 2015 opponent. Michigan StateThe College Football Playoff has been selected. Ohio State has won 25 straight home games against Big Ten foes. This includes beating 12 nationally ranked opponents.
This may seem like Wisconsin is unlikely to win. Wisconsin is a consistently successful college football program and has caused Ohio State many problems during this eight-game skid. Wisconsin was the last to beat No. Wisconsin, which beat Ohio State 31-18 in Madison in the 2010 season has to play as perfect a game as possible. The Buckeyes can make even the smallest mistakes.
Camp Randall became so loud here. 🔊🙌#OTD2010 @DavidGilreath18To set the scene, the opening kick was performed by the host. @BadgerFootball‘s victory over No. 1 OSU. pic.twitter.com/K9emfr9ZDR
— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) October 16, 2021
In 2011, the losing streak started when Ohio State quarterback Braxton Mills threw a 40 yard touchdown pass with just 20 seconds left to win a 33-29 victory. Several close losses followed. Two overtime defeats occurred at Camp Randall Stadium in 2012, and 2016. In 2013, Ohio State was outclassed by Wisconsin in a 31-24 defeat in Columbus.
With 1:28 remaining in the 2017 Big Ten championship, undefeated Wisconsin held the ball at midfield and had the chance to secure a spot on the College Football Playoff. Ohio State won 27-21 after intercepting a fourth-down pass. In the 2019 Big Ten championship, Wisconsin led 21-7 at breaktime, but Ohio State pulled it off by scoring 27 unanswered points in the second half.
“I think that if we want to get to where we want to be, it’s obviously one of the teams we’re going to have to beat on that road,” Wisconsin offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini said. “Ohio State has been really good over the past couple of years. They’ve really dominated the Big Ten. But we’re excited to go show them what we can do. They’re obviously a really great team with a lot of great players. But it all comes down to how they play that Saturday, so I’m excited to see how we’ll do.”
The most obvious reason for Ohio State’s dominance beyond good coaching is the overwhelming volume of talented players on its roster. That talent often manifests in big ways over the course of a 60 minute game against Wisconsin.
Consider this: Wisconsin’s three greatest recruiting classes ever from 2019-21 ranked No. 29, No. 26, and No. 16 in the 247Sports Component. The Badgers signed two five star prospects (offensive linesmen) within that time span. Logan BrownAnd Nolan Rucci) and 12 four-star prospects. Ohio State, meanwhile, ranked No. 14, No. 5, and No. 2, nationally, signing 13 five star prospects and 36 four-star athletes. That doesn’t even include the additional two five-star and 18 four-star players signed in the 2022 class.
The 247Sports Team talent compositeAccording to, Ohio State is third while Wisconsin is 25th.
“Rankings are just rankings to me,” Badgers receiver Markus Allen said. “I feel like that’s how the coaches see it and that’s how the team sees it. Wisconsin, we’re known for getting the underdogs, we’re known for getting the three-star recruits, maybe four, maybe fives here and there on the O-line. Other than that, I believe we can compete against anyone. I feel like them throwing in another four-star, OK, that doesn’t matter. It all depends on his heart. I feel like that’s what we have over a lot of teams.”
C.J. C.J. (Joseph Maiorana / USA Today)
This year’s version of Ohio State appears to be just as formidable as many of its predecessors. Ohio State Toledo was hammered 77-21Saturday night at a Buckeyes game C.J. StroudHe threw five touchdown passes, and three receivers had at least 100 yards receiving.
Stroud, who is a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, has completed 72.9 per cent of his passes and thrown 11 touchdowns this season. Ohio State’s offensive explosiveness should provide Wisconsin’s defense with its most difficult test since the last time the teams met three years ago.
“We’ve just got to go out there and play ball, play fast and confident,” Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman said. “I know we can get the job done.”
Wisconsin is just two Saturdays from Washington State loses unexpectedly at homeThe Badgers were found to have committed too many penalties and turnovers as well as special-teams errors. A 66-7 win against New Mexico State on Saturday may have helped to shore up some of those issues — and revealed continued progress in the passing game — but likely did little to quell questions about whether this program is ready and able to take the next step to more consistently compete against upper-echelon programs.
Wisconsin has a record of 5-11 against AP Top 25 team since the start 2018 season. Since taking over the program in 2015, Chryst is currently 12-17 against ranked opponents. A win on Saturday in Columbus would mark Chryst’s most significant to date and offer the opportunity to change the trajectory of what people think is possible for the Badgers this season.
“Being able to go on the road against a really good, tough opponent early on in the season and prove yourself and get tested, I think it’s great,” Badgers receiver Chimere Dike said. “We have to have a really good week at practice, we have to have a really good week preparing. I think we’re ready for it, though. These are the games you will live for: big-time road games against big-time opponents. I’m excited for this group. I’m excited for this team.”
(Top photo by Braelon Alley: Jeff Hanisch/USA Today)
