2009 Wisconsin Badgers Game Preview
written by: BB73, Buckeyeskickbuttocks, Bucklion, Fungo Squiggly, DaddyBigBucks, JCOSU86, and jwinslow
Preface
The Buckeyes host the Badgers of Wisconsin on Saturday. The Badgers have won three of their last four visits to Columbus, something that no other Big Ten team has been able to say since Illinois came to the 'Shoe 2 whole weeks ago. Last year, tOSU ended Bret Bielema's personal unbeaten at home streak at 16 games, becoming the first visitors to win at Camp Randall since Bielema took over for Barry Alvarez in 2006. So being the home team clearly doesn't mean an automatic win in this series.
There have been some historic matchups between the teams. In 1942 under Paul Brown, the #1 Buckeyes went on the (rail)road to Madison. The team didn't take along its own water on that trip (as they had the previous year via the train to the USC game in Los Angeles), and the majority of the team came down with dysentery from contaminated water on the train. Ohio State lost 17-7 to a Wisconsin team led by Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch in what was dubbed the "Bad Water Game"; and dropped to #6 in the polls.
The next week tOSU gained 587 yards in routing Pitt (they were up 41-0 at halftime of the 59-19 final), and dropped to #10 - who knew that Mark May influenced poll voters way back then! They won their remaining games, an climbed all the way to the top of the poll to claim tOSU's first national championship. The Badgers finished the year 8-1-1 and ranked #3.
The 5 other times that the Buckeyes carried a #1 ranking into a game against the Badgers were all with Woody Hayes squads between 1964 to 1975. The average score in those games was 44-3, with the closest game being a 24-0 game in Madison in 1973.
Wisconsin was an inaugural member of the Western Conference, which evolved into the Big Ten. They won the first two conference championships in football, with a 2-0-1 mark in 1896 and a 3-0 record in 1897. They also claimed conference crowns in their only perfect seasons: 1901, 1906, and 1912. After that period, their next crown was 40 years away.
Ohio State is the only opponent that has ever faced a Wisconsin team ranked #1 in the AP football poll. In 1952, after #8 Wisconsin defeated a #2 Illinois team 20-6 in Madison, the team was vaulted to the #1 ranking for the only time in their football history. The next week the Badgers visited the 'Shoe and fell 23-14 to the Buckeyes. Wisconsin finished that season as co-Big Ten champions with Purdue. They also won Big Ten titles in 1959 and 1962, but lost the Rose Bowl in each of their 3 appearances between '52 and '62, and would not return until the 1990's under Barry Alvarez.
Those who have coached the Badgers include Harry Stuhldreher, one of Notre Dame's "Four Horsemen" in the 1920s. His teams went 45-62-6 (.425) between 1936-48. Similar to Paul Brown at Ohio State, the enlistments of World War II dramatically changed the fortunes of Stuhldreher's teams. After the 8-1-1 mark and #3 ranking in 1942, their record fell to 1-9 in 1943 due to many players having left the team; including Elroy Hirsch (who then lettered in 4 different sports at Michigan, where he was getting military training). Hirsch went on to a Hall-of-Fame career as an NFL receiver, and later spent 18 years as Wisconsin's Athletic Director.
From 1978 until 1985, the head man in Madison was Dave McClain, whose teams went 46-42-3 (.522). After a fatal heart attack in 1986 cut short his career at the age of 48, the Big Ten dedicated it's football Coach of the Year award in his honor.
Barry Alvarez, currently the Athletic Director in Madison, was the head football coach from 1990 through 2005. Prior to that, he was on Hayden Fry's staff at Iowa, and he was the DC on Lou Holtz's 1988 national championship team at Notre Dame. Barry's Badgers won the Rose Bowl in each of the seasons they garnered a Big Ten title: '93, '98, and '99.
1993 was a shared title with tOSU; the teams tied in Madison, and the Badgers claimed their share after they won their last conference game against Michigan State in a game called the Coca-Cola Classic in Tokyo. Barry is the only Big Ten coach to win Rose Bowls in consecutive seasons, and in 2006 a bronze statue of Alvarez was unveiled outside Camp Randall stadium.
Before stepping down as head coach, Barry (already the AD) named Bret Bielema to be his successor. Bielema's first year was an excellent 12-1 campaign, including a Capital One Bowl win over Arkansas. His 5-0 record so far this year has his overall mark at a fine 33-11 (.750).
Date: Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Time: 3:30 ET Kick-off
Location: Ohio Stadium - "The Horseshoe" (Columbus, OH)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 2001)
Seating Capacity: 102,329 (Originally 66,210)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Time: 3:30 ET Kick-off
Location: Ohio Stadium - "The Horseshoe" (Columbus, OH)
Constructed: 1922 (Renovated in 2001)
Seating Capacity: 102,329 (Originally 66,210)
Playing Surface: FieldTurf
Events:
Broadcast Information:
TV Broacast: ABC Regional: Sean McDonough (play-by=play), Matt Millen (Analysis), and Holly Rowe (Sideline)
Radio Broadcast: Ohio State Radio Network (WBNS 1460, FM 97.1 The Fan) Paul Keels (Play-by-play), Jim Lachey (Analysis), and Marty Bannister (Sideline)
The game can also be heard on Sirius satellite radio Channel 127 and Westwood One with John Tautges and Eddie George.
2009 Wisconsin Badgers Offensive Preview Broadcast Information:
TV Broacast: ABC Regional: Sean McDonough (play-by=play), Matt Millen (Analysis), and Holly Rowe (Sideline)
Radio Broadcast: Ohio State Radio Network (WBNS 1460, FM 97.1 The Fan) Paul Keels (Play-by-play), Jim Lachey (Analysis), and Marty Bannister (Sideline)
The game can also be heard on Sirius satellite radio Channel 127 and Westwood One with John Tautges and Eddie George.
Returning starters: 7
The Buckeyes dominated a conference foe for the second straight week, demolishing Indiana to start 2-0 in their quest for a 5th straight Big Ten crown. A stiff test awaits the Buckeyes this week, however, as the Badgers visit Columbus in what turns out to be a game for 1st place in the conference. The Badgers have been a pleasant surprise offensively thus far in 2009, ranking in the top 35 of many major offensive categories and covering for what has to date been a rather suspect defense. The Badgers once again pound the ball on the ground with a bruising tailback and a punishing offensive line, but the passing game, and particularly the QB play, has been especially better than expected. Add in some great storylines and a dash of nostalgia, such as Al Toon's son squaring off against Cris Carter's son at the same positions and in the same uniforms their fathers wore, and this game has all the makings of being a highly entertaining affair.
The Badgers continue their tradition of pounding the ball on the ground, ranking 14th nationally with 217.2 yards per game. That probably doesn't surprise anyone, but what might is the respectable 216.0 yards per game the Badgers have achieved in passing. That ranks only 61st nationally, but establishes a deadly and effective balance and leaves the Badgers ranked 22nd nationally in total offense (433.2 YPG), one of the major reasons for their unbeaten start. Wisconsin also ranks 31st in time of possession (31:26), so they are still effectively dictating the pace of most games. Their very solid turnover margin of +1.00 ranks 17th nationally, and they are averaging an astonishing 0.40 sacks per game on offense, ranking 2nd in the country. Topping it all off, the Badgers have also racked up 105 first downs (T22) and lead the nation in 3rd down conversion percentage (56.3%), doubtlessly because they have a lot of 3rd and short yardage and because of the effectiveness of their running game. All signs point to this being one of the better Wisconsin teams of recent years and towards Ohio State's defense getting a serious test this weekend.
Quarterbacks
QB #16 Scott Tolzien (6-3, 205, JR, Palatine Fremd HS, Rolling Meadows, IL)
After barely playing in 2008, it seems like many observers thought Tolzien would not win the job this season, but the scrappy junior has done a fine job thus far and has exceeded expectations for the Badgers. He has a good arm and the ability to throw the ball downfield effectively, something the Badgers have often lacked in many seasons past. He opened the season relatively strong, throwing for 257 yards and a TD against Northern Illinois. He followed that with 225 yards and a score against Fresno State, 159 yards and 2 TDs against Wofford, and then had his best game, throwing for 243 yards and 4 TDs as the Badgers lit up Michigan State, earning team and Big Ten offensive player of the week awards. Last week against Minnesota, he had a less effective game, throwing for only 159 yards and a TD with an INT, but he did chip in 65 yards on the ground on only 5 carries. After throwing 2 picks in the opener, he has thrown only one since and he hardly ever gets sacked, both a testament to his good decision making. He has helped add a dimension to the Badger offense that has made this team significantly better than many thought when the season started.
The backup is promising freshman Curt Phillips (#10). He has seen some limited action, completing 4 of 6 for 37 yards and rushing for 128 yards on only 8 carries. He looks to be the Q of the future for the Badgers, though he may have to wait a while because of the surprising effectiveness of Tolzien.
QB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State QBs
Tolzien: 82/125 (65.6%), 1043 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs, 154.6 rating; 16/73, 0 TDs
Pryor: 66/114 (57.9%), 854 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs, 135.2 rating; 55/298, 3 TDs
Tolzien has played very well for the Badgers, and his numbers across the board, from yards to completion % to sacks to efficiency are good. He isn't a big threat on the ground, but he can pick up a big 1st down in crucial situations. Pryor is beginning to establish himself as a dominant force, which will continue as his passing skills develop further. Tolzien's most average game was last week against arguably the best competition he has faced, and Ohio State's defense will likely be a step up from Minnesota's this week. It will be interesting to see what kind of start he is able to get off to. Pryor on the other hand is battle-tested already and appears to be rounding into more mid-season form at the right time. It will be important for him to make good decisions in the passing game. Neither team has much in reserve in terms of game experience. Give the edge to Pryor because of his dual threat ability and his explosiveness.
Edge: Ohio State
Running Backs
TB #32 John Clay (6-1, 248, SO, Washington Park HS, Racine, WI)
TB #30 Zach Brown (5-10, 210, JR, Royal Palm Beach HS, Royal Palm, FL)
Brown and Clay are both listed at the top of the chart. Brown often starts, but Clay gets the bulk of the work. He is a big, punishing runner in the traditional Wisconsin mold. After gaining almost 900 yards last season, it is clear he is the primary ball carrier. After a so-so start, gaining 43 yards with 2 TDs in the opener, he had a big game against Fresno State, gaining 143 yards and scoring a TD. He followed that with 70 yards in limited duty against Wofford, 142 yards and a score against the Spartans, and then he chopped down Minnesota last weekend to the tune of 184 yards and 3 TDs on 32 carries to help take the Axe. He was the team's offensive player of the game against Minnesota and shared the award against Fresno State. Already in his young career he has demonstrated the ability, like last weekend, to take over a game, and his 116.4 yards a game is 5th nationally to this point. He does occasionally put the ball on the ground, but that's something he'll get better at as time progresses. He is absolutely no threat out of the backfield, as he has not recorded a catch.
Brown is a change of pace back with plenty of experience that can also be effective when given adequate opportunities. He gained 51 yards in the opener, followed by 40 and a TD against Fresno State and 63 and 2 scores against Wofford. He has seen limited duty the past 2 weeks as Clay has emerged, gaining just 18 yards on 11 carries against Michigan State and 39 yards on 6 carries last weekend. He also has 5 receptions thus far, so expect him to get between 10 and 15 touches on Saturday.
RB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State RBs
Clay: 112/582 yards, 7 TDs, 5.2 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
Brown: 52/211 yards, 3 TDs, 4.1 YPC; 5 rec/22 yards, 0 TDs, 4.4 YPR
Saine: 49/294 yards, 0 TDs, 6.0 YPC; 9 rec/103 yards, 0 TDs, 11.4 YPR
Herron: 64/233 yards, 5 TDs, 3.6 YPC; 5 rec/34 yards, 0 TDs, 6.8 YPR
Brown may start, but Clay is clearly the key to the Badger running attack. His bruising style and ability in short yardage are Wisconsin staples, and he fits the system and the scheme very well. As long as he hangs on to the ball he is very effective, though he is prone to an occasional turnover. Brown offers experience and leadership and provides a nice change of pace from the bigger Clay. The Badgers will run it more than they throw it, so this will probably be one of the key matchups for the game. On the Ohio State side, Saine has emerged as arguably the primary threat, as his big YPC average and effectiveness as a receiver make him dangerous and multi-dimensional. Herron runs hard in the more traditional Buckeye style and is most effective between the tackles. This will be a very entertaining matchup between the two sides, and though Clay has racked up a lot of yards, overall both teams appear to have plenty of weapons at their disposal, so when considering Wisconsin's production and Ohio State's versatility, this one is pretty even.
Edge: Ohio State
Wide Receivers
WR #1 Nick Toon (6-3, 212, SO, Middleton HS, Middleton, WI)
WR #6 Isaac Anderson (5-10, 177, JR, The Blake School, Minneapolis, MN)
The Badgers don't often feature their receivers, though some of the players to come out of Wisconsin (Al Toon, Chris Chambers, Lee Evans) rank right with the best. This season, Al Toon's son Nick has emerged as the primary receiver in just his second season after catching 17 passes a year ago. He is a big target who can make catches high and over the middle and can also be effective on fades and jump balls in the end zone. He had 5 catches for 73 yards in the opener, followed by 4 for 49 and a TD against Fresno State and 6 for 70 against Wofford. When conference play began, he caught 3 passes for 45 yards and a score against Michigan State and caught 4 for 33 yards last weekend. He is a consistent target with good hands and he runs solid routes. Look for him to be involved early and often on Saturday. On the other side, Anderson has also proven to be a dependable target who can stretch the field and break the deep ball. He caught 21 passes a year ago, and is well on his way to eclipsing that mark this season. He started the season with a bang, catching 3 passes for 100 yards and a TD, followed by a 4 catch, 70 yard game against Fresno State. He has also been effective in conference play, catching 3 passes for 66 yards against the Spartans and 2 for 19 last weekend. The pair shared the team's offensive player of the game honors in the opener.
The primary backups are a pair of juniors, David Gilreath (#85) and Maurice Moore (#23). Gilreath caught 31 passes for over 500 yards last season, so he offers quite a bit of game experience. He has 4 catches and 5 rushes so far, and is also a big factor in the return game. Moore has 3 catches on the season and is less involved.
WR Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State WRs
Toon: 22 catches, 269 yards, 2 TDs, 12.2 YPR
Anderson: 12 catches, 255 yards, 1 TD, 21.3 YPR
Gilreath: 4 catches, 54 yards, 0 TDs, 13.5 YPR
Sanzenbacher: 14 catches, 302 yards, 4 TDs, 21.6 YPR
Posey: 19 catches, 214 yards, 2 TDs, 11.3 YPR
Carter: 8 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD, 7.3 YPR
Toon and Anderson have both benefitted from Wisconsin's improved passing attack. Toon is a bigger target who can make tough catches over the middle and becomes a matchup problem in the red zone, whereas Anderson has more speed and stretches the field effectively, as his YPR attests to. There isn't a whole lot behind them, although Gilreath has some experience and offers versatility and the occasional catch thus far. For the Buckeyes Sanzenbacher has established himself as a force downfield, whereas Posey has made some unbelievable catches and Carter s already showing signs of being a very good player as a freshman. The numbers are similar, the diversity of size and speed is similar, and the production is similar, so this matchup is very, very close. Both teams have players that will be very good for several seasons.
Edge: Even
Tight Ends
TE #89 Garrett Graham (6-3, 250, SR, Memorial HS, Brick, NJ)
TE #84 Lance Kendricks (6-4, 236, JR, Rufus King HS, Milwaukee, WI)
The Badgers always seem to have good players at this position, and this season is no different. Graham played in the shadow of Travis Beckum for quite a while, but after catching 40 passes for 540 yards and 5 scores in 2008 he has emerged as a primary threat for the Badgers this year. He caught 6 passes for 82 yards in the opener and followed that up with 3 for 49 against the Bulldogs. After limited duty against Wofford, he caught 5 passes for 58 yards and 3 scores against Michigan State and added 7 catches for 68 yards last weekend. He is a big, strong, physical player who creates all kinds of matchup problems in the secondary and should be a person of interest for the Buckeye defense on Saturday. He is also on the Mackey Award watch list. Kendricks has stepped up and has played solid this season as well. He has 12 catches for 135 yards and 2 TDs, all in the previous 3 games, highlighted by his TD reception last week against the Gophers. He was also the team's offensive player of the game against Wofford. He also has good size and good hands and can be a threat in the red zone and on 3rd down. Both TEs are also very effective blockers.
TE Rating: A+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State TEs
Graham: 23 catches, 268 yards, 4 TDs, 11.7 YPR
Kendricks: 12 catches, 135 yards, 2 TDs, 11.3 YPR
Ballard: 6 catches, 71 yards, 0 TDs, 11.8 YPR
The Badgers often have some of the nation's best TEs, and arguably use them more effectively than anyone else. Despite the loss of Beckum, that hasn't changed, as Graham steps in as the star and Kendricks helps the Badgers pick right up where they left off.
Edge: Wisconsin
Offensive Line
LT #68 Gabe Carimi (6-7, 325, JR, Monona Grove HS, Cottage Grove, WI)
LG #74 John Moffitt (6-5, 320, JR, West Haven Notre Dame HS, Guilford, CT)
C #66 Peter Konz (6-5, 315, FR, Neenah HS, Neenah, WI)
RG #70 Kevin Zeitler (6-4, 317, SO, Wisconsin Lutheran HS, Waukesha, WI)
RT #67 John Oglesby (6-7, 330, SO, St. Francis HS, Milwaukee, WI)
The Wisconsin line is big, bruising, physical, and at their best plowing straight ahead. They are, however, also adept at protecting the QB this season, as evidenced by the low number of sacks given up. Carimi is the rock of the line, a monster who has started all 28 games he has played in. He provides leadership and toughness that pervades the entire line. He is on the Lombardi watch list. Moffitt is also a program veteran, with 21 career starts. He is also on the Lombardi watch list. Konz took over for injured Travis Fredrick and has done an admirable job in the middle, starting the previous 3 games. Zeitler played sparingly last season but has taken over the RG position and has started all 5 games in 2009. Oglesby is another physical specimen who started 3 games last season and has taken the reins of the RT job in 2009, starting all 5 games.
The backups offer some experience at guard, with juniors Jake Bscherer (#78) and Bill Nagy (#76) contributing. Bscherer had one start coming into the season and started 3 games at left guard early in the season. Nagy started 3 games last season but has played sparingly due to injuries. Freshman Travis Fredrick (#72) started early in the season and is now the backup at center, while fellow freshman Ricky Wagner (#58) mans both tackle spots.
OL Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State OL
The left side of the line offers plenty of experience, the middle and right side of the line offer youthful enthusiasm, and the entire line will beat on anyone they can as often as they can every Saturday. Wisconsin always offers one of the biggest, strongest, and meanest offensive lines, and this season is no different. Carimi is the anchor, but the other players are just as big and strong and this unit seems to play extremely well together. The running game is humming, the QB hardly ever gets sacked, and the offense is ranked in the top 25, all of which starts up front. The Buckeyes also have a tremendous amount of talent, and appear to be coming around after a slow and shaky start. Though the Buckeyes can match talent and determination with anyone in the conference, it is difficult to argue against the production in all phases that the Wisconsin unit has achieved.
Edge: Even
Overall Offensive Analysis
Overall Analysis: The Badgers have established a highly effective balance of run and pass and have gotten significantly better QB play than most were expecting. Add that to the usual stalwart power running game and bruising offensive line, and Wisconsin appears to have one of the conference's better offenses. It will be imperative for the Buckeyes to apply some pressure to the QB, forcing the Badgers out of their regular passing game. It will also be important for the front 7 to slow down Clay and the running game...they can't be allowed to chew up 5 yards a carry all game, or else it will open up the passing game and produce a lot of 3rd and short yardage situations, both of which are especially advantageous for Wisconsin. The receivers are not superstars and the tailbacks can occasionally turn the ball over, but Wisconsin appears to have a good team across the board and will be a significant challenge for all of the Big Ten this year.
Overall Offensive Rating: B+
2009 Wisconsin Badgers Defensive Preview The Badgers continue their tradition of pounding the ball on the ground, ranking 14th nationally with 217.2 yards per game. That probably doesn't surprise anyone, but what might is the respectable 216.0 yards per game the Badgers have achieved in passing. That ranks only 61st nationally, but establishes a deadly and effective balance and leaves the Badgers ranked 22nd nationally in total offense (433.2 YPG), one of the major reasons for their unbeaten start. Wisconsin also ranks 31st in time of possession (31:26), so they are still effectively dictating the pace of most games. Their very solid turnover margin of +1.00 ranks 17th nationally, and they are averaging an astonishing 0.40 sacks per game on offense, ranking 2nd in the country. Topping it all off, the Badgers have also racked up 105 first downs (T22) and lead the nation in 3rd down conversion percentage (56.3%), doubtlessly because they have a lot of 3rd and short yardage and because of the effectiveness of their running game. All signs point to this being one of the better Wisconsin teams of recent years and towards Ohio State's defense getting a serious test this weekend.
Quarterbacks
QB #16 Scott Tolzien (6-3, 205, JR, Palatine Fremd HS, Rolling Meadows, IL)
After barely playing in 2008, it seems like many observers thought Tolzien would not win the job this season, but the scrappy junior has done a fine job thus far and has exceeded expectations for the Badgers. He has a good arm and the ability to throw the ball downfield effectively, something the Badgers have often lacked in many seasons past. He opened the season relatively strong, throwing for 257 yards and a TD against Northern Illinois. He followed that with 225 yards and a score against Fresno State, 159 yards and 2 TDs against Wofford, and then had his best game, throwing for 243 yards and 4 TDs as the Badgers lit up Michigan State, earning team and Big Ten offensive player of the week awards. Last week against Minnesota, he had a less effective game, throwing for only 159 yards and a TD with an INT, but he did chip in 65 yards on the ground on only 5 carries. After throwing 2 picks in the opener, he has thrown only one since and he hardly ever gets sacked, both a testament to his good decision making. He has helped add a dimension to the Badger offense that has made this team significantly better than many thought when the season started.
The backup is promising freshman Curt Phillips (#10). He has seen some limited action, completing 4 of 6 for 37 yards and rushing for 128 yards on only 8 carries. He looks to be the Q of the future for the Badgers, though he may have to wait a while because of the surprising effectiveness of Tolzien.
QB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State QBs
Tolzien: 82/125 (65.6%), 1043 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs, 154.6 rating; 16/73, 0 TDs
Pryor: 66/114 (57.9%), 854 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs, 135.2 rating; 55/298, 3 TDs
Tolzien has played very well for the Badgers, and his numbers across the board, from yards to completion % to sacks to efficiency are good. He isn't a big threat on the ground, but he can pick up a big 1st down in crucial situations. Pryor is beginning to establish himself as a dominant force, which will continue as his passing skills develop further. Tolzien's most average game was last week against arguably the best competition he has faced, and Ohio State's defense will likely be a step up from Minnesota's this week. It will be interesting to see what kind of start he is able to get off to. Pryor on the other hand is battle-tested already and appears to be rounding into more mid-season form at the right time. It will be important for him to make good decisions in the passing game. Neither team has much in reserve in terms of game experience. Give the edge to Pryor because of his dual threat ability and his explosiveness.
Edge: Ohio State
Running Backs
TB #32 John Clay (6-1, 248, SO, Washington Park HS, Racine, WI)
TB #30 Zach Brown (5-10, 210, JR, Royal Palm Beach HS, Royal Palm, FL)
Brown and Clay are both listed at the top of the chart. Brown often starts, but Clay gets the bulk of the work. He is a big, punishing runner in the traditional Wisconsin mold. After gaining almost 900 yards last season, it is clear he is the primary ball carrier. After a so-so start, gaining 43 yards with 2 TDs in the opener, he had a big game against Fresno State, gaining 143 yards and scoring a TD. He followed that with 70 yards in limited duty against Wofford, 142 yards and a score against the Spartans, and then he chopped down Minnesota last weekend to the tune of 184 yards and 3 TDs on 32 carries to help take the Axe. He was the team's offensive player of the game against Minnesota and shared the award against Fresno State. Already in his young career he has demonstrated the ability, like last weekend, to take over a game, and his 116.4 yards a game is 5th nationally to this point. He does occasionally put the ball on the ground, but that's something he'll get better at as time progresses. He is absolutely no threat out of the backfield, as he has not recorded a catch.
Brown is a change of pace back with plenty of experience that can also be effective when given adequate opportunities. He gained 51 yards in the opener, followed by 40 and a TD against Fresno State and 63 and 2 scores against Wofford. He has seen limited duty the past 2 weeks as Clay has emerged, gaining just 18 yards on 11 carries against Michigan State and 39 yards on 6 carries last weekend. He also has 5 receptions thus far, so expect him to get between 10 and 15 touches on Saturday.
RB Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State RBs
Clay: 112/582 yards, 7 TDs, 5.2 YPC; 0 rec/0 yards, 0 TDs, 0.0 YPR
Brown: 52/211 yards, 3 TDs, 4.1 YPC; 5 rec/22 yards, 0 TDs, 4.4 YPR
Saine: 49/294 yards, 0 TDs, 6.0 YPC; 9 rec/103 yards, 0 TDs, 11.4 YPR
Herron: 64/233 yards, 5 TDs, 3.6 YPC; 5 rec/34 yards, 0 TDs, 6.8 YPR
Brown may start, but Clay is clearly the key to the Badger running attack. His bruising style and ability in short yardage are Wisconsin staples, and he fits the system and the scheme very well. As long as he hangs on to the ball he is very effective, though he is prone to an occasional turnover. Brown offers experience and leadership and provides a nice change of pace from the bigger Clay. The Badgers will run it more than they throw it, so this will probably be one of the key matchups for the game. On the Ohio State side, Saine has emerged as arguably the primary threat, as his big YPC average and effectiveness as a receiver make him dangerous and multi-dimensional. Herron runs hard in the more traditional Buckeye style and is most effective between the tackles. This will be a very entertaining matchup between the two sides, and though Clay has racked up a lot of yards, overall both teams appear to have plenty of weapons at their disposal, so when considering Wisconsin's production and Ohio State's versatility, this one is pretty even.
Edge: Ohio State
Wide Receivers
WR #1 Nick Toon (6-3, 212, SO, Middleton HS, Middleton, WI)
WR #6 Isaac Anderson (5-10, 177, JR, The Blake School, Minneapolis, MN)
The Badgers don't often feature their receivers, though some of the players to come out of Wisconsin (Al Toon, Chris Chambers, Lee Evans) rank right with the best. This season, Al Toon's son Nick has emerged as the primary receiver in just his second season after catching 17 passes a year ago. He is a big target who can make catches high and over the middle and can also be effective on fades and jump balls in the end zone. He had 5 catches for 73 yards in the opener, followed by 4 for 49 and a TD against Fresno State and 6 for 70 against Wofford. When conference play began, he caught 3 passes for 45 yards and a score against Michigan State and caught 4 for 33 yards last weekend. He is a consistent target with good hands and he runs solid routes. Look for him to be involved early and often on Saturday. On the other side, Anderson has also proven to be a dependable target who can stretch the field and break the deep ball. He caught 21 passes a year ago, and is well on his way to eclipsing that mark this season. He started the season with a bang, catching 3 passes for 100 yards and a TD, followed by a 4 catch, 70 yard game against Fresno State. He has also been effective in conference play, catching 3 passes for 66 yards against the Spartans and 2 for 19 last weekend. The pair shared the team's offensive player of the game honors in the opener.
The primary backups are a pair of juniors, David Gilreath (#85) and Maurice Moore (#23). Gilreath caught 31 passes for over 500 yards last season, so he offers quite a bit of game experience. He has 4 catches and 5 rushes so far, and is also a big factor in the return game. Moore has 3 catches on the season and is less involved.
WR Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State WRs
Toon: 22 catches, 269 yards, 2 TDs, 12.2 YPR
Anderson: 12 catches, 255 yards, 1 TD, 21.3 YPR
Gilreath: 4 catches, 54 yards, 0 TDs, 13.5 YPR
Sanzenbacher: 14 catches, 302 yards, 4 TDs, 21.6 YPR
Posey: 19 catches, 214 yards, 2 TDs, 11.3 YPR
Carter: 8 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD, 7.3 YPR
Toon and Anderson have both benefitted from Wisconsin's improved passing attack. Toon is a bigger target who can make tough catches over the middle and becomes a matchup problem in the red zone, whereas Anderson has more speed and stretches the field effectively, as his YPR attests to. There isn't a whole lot behind them, although Gilreath has some experience and offers versatility and the occasional catch thus far. For the Buckeyes Sanzenbacher has established himself as a force downfield, whereas Posey has made some unbelievable catches and Carter s already showing signs of being a very good player as a freshman. The numbers are similar, the diversity of size and speed is similar, and the production is similar, so this matchup is very, very close. Both teams have players that will be very good for several seasons.
Edge: Even
Tight Ends
TE #89 Garrett Graham (6-3, 250, SR, Memorial HS, Brick, NJ)
TE #84 Lance Kendricks (6-4, 236, JR, Rufus King HS, Milwaukee, WI)
The Badgers always seem to have good players at this position, and this season is no different. Graham played in the shadow of Travis Beckum for quite a while, but after catching 40 passes for 540 yards and 5 scores in 2008 he has emerged as a primary threat for the Badgers this year. He caught 6 passes for 82 yards in the opener and followed that up with 3 for 49 against the Bulldogs. After limited duty against Wofford, he caught 5 passes for 58 yards and 3 scores against Michigan State and added 7 catches for 68 yards last weekend. He is a big, strong, physical player who creates all kinds of matchup problems in the secondary and should be a person of interest for the Buckeye defense on Saturday. He is also on the Mackey Award watch list. Kendricks has stepped up and has played solid this season as well. He has 12 catches for 135 yards and 2 TDs, all in the previous 3 games, highlighted by his TD reception last week against the Gophers. He was also the team's offensive player of the game against Wofford. He also has good size and good hands and can be a threat in the red zone and on 3rd down. Both TEs are also very effective blockers.
TE Rating: A+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State TEs
Graham: 23 catches, 268 yards, 4 TDs, 11.7 YPR
Kendricks: 12 catches, 135 yards, 2 TDs, 11.3 YPR
Ballard: 6 catches, 71 yards, 0 TDs, 11.8 YPR
The Badgers often have some of the nation's best TEs, and arguably use them more effectively than anyone else. Despite the loss of Beckum, that hasn't changed, as Graham steps in as the star and Kendricks helps the Badgers pick right up where they left off.
Edge: Wisconsin
Offensive Line
LT #68 Gabe Carimi (6-7, 325, JR, Monona Grove HS, Cottage Grove, WI)
LG #74 John Moffitt (6-5, 320, JR, West Haven Notre Dame HS, Guilford, CT)
C #66 Peter Konz (6-5, 315, FR, Neenah HS, Neenah, WI)
RG #70 Kevin Zeitler (6-4, 317, SO, Wisconsin Lutheran HS, Waukesha, WI)
RT #67 John Oglesby (6-7, 330, SO, St. Francis HS, Milwaukee, WI)
The Wisconsin line is big, bruising, physical, and at their best plowing straight ahead. They are, however, also adept at protecting the QB this season, as evidenced by the low number of sacks given up. Carimi is the rock of the line, a monster who has started all 28 games he has played in. He provides leadership and toughness that pervades the entire line. He is on the Lombardi watch list. Moffitt is also a program veteran, with 21 career starts. He is also on the Lombardi watch list. Konz took over for injured Travis Fredrick and has done an admirable job in the middle, starting the previous 3 games. Zeitler played sparingly last season but has taken over the RG position and has started all 5 games in 2009. Oglesby is another physical specimen who started 3 games last season and has taken the reins of the RT job in 2009, starting all 5 games.
The backups offer some experience at guard, with juniors Jake Bscherer (#78) and Bill Nagy (#76) contributing. Bscherer had one start coming into the season and started 3 games at left guard early in the season. Nagy started 3 games last season but has played sparingly due to injuries. Freshman Travis Fredrick (#72) started early in the season and is now the backup at center, while fellow freshman Ricky Wagner (#58) mans both tackle spots.
OL Rating: B+
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus Ohio State OL
The left side of the line offers plenty of experience, the middle and right side of the line offer youthful enthusiasm, and the entire line will beat on anyone they can as often as they can every Saturday. Wisconsin always offers one of the biggest, strongest, and meanest offensive lines, and this season is no different. Carimi is the anchor, but the other players are just as big and strong and this unit seems to play extremely well together. The running game is humming, the QB hardly ever gets sacked, and the offense is ranked in the top 25, all of which starts up front. The Buckeyes also have a tremendous amount of talent, and appear to be coming around after a slow and shaky start. Though the Buckeyes can match talent and determination with anyone in the conference, it is difficult to argue against the production in all phases that the Wisconsin unit has achieved.
Edge: Even
Overall Offensive Analysis
Overall Analysis: The Badgers have established a highly effective balance of run and pass and have gotten significantly better QB play than most were expecting. Add that to the usual stalwart power running game and bruising offensive line, and Wisconsin appears to have one of the conference's better offenses. It will be imperative for the Buckeyes to apply some pressure to the QB, forcing the Badgers out of their regular passing game. It will also be important for the front 7 to slow down Clay and the running game...they can't be allowed to chew up 5 yards a carry all game, or else it will open up the passing game and produce a lot of 3rd and short yardage situations, both of which are especially advantageous for Wisconsin. The receivers are not superstars and the tailbacks can occasionally turn the ball over, but Wisconsin appears to have a good team across the board and will be a significant challenge for all of the Big Ten this year.
Overall Offensive Rating: B+
Returning Starters: 5
Now entering his second season as Wisconsin's lone defensive coordinator, Dave Doeren looks to build on a defense that finished 4th in the Big Ten in total defense last season. Originally from Shawnee Mission, Kansas, Doeren began his coaching career in the High School ranks in his home town, after a 4 year career at Drake. After a year with Northwest High, he took a job at his Alama Mater coaching the linebackers before becoming Defensive Coordinator in 1997. From there, Doeren took a graduate assistant job at USC, assisting the Trojans in leading the nation in INTs in 1998 and turnover margin in 1999. After USC he coached at Montana, winning the 2001 DI-AA national title. In 2002 Doeren became Kansas' linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator, before becoming co-defensive coordinator in 2005 where he built a defense which was 3rd best in the country against the rush, and 11th best in the nation in total defense. In his first season at Wisconsin, 2006 - as LB coach, recruiting coordinator and co-defensive coordinator - the Badgers were first in the nation in passing efficiency defense, and second in yards allowed and points allowed.
Stats.......|Score..|Tot.Yds..|Rush..|.Pass..|INT| .Fum.|Sack.|1stD..|.3rd D.|.PCT..|Red Zone.|PCT.|RZ TDs.|PCT.|TOF..|
Wisconsin...|.24.6..|..363.0..|128.0.|.235.0.|.8.| ..7..|.14..|.94...|.29-69.|.42%..|.16-18...|89%.|.11-18.|61%.|28:33|
Ohio State..|.11.8..|..252.6..|.83.4.|.169.2.|.8.|...4..|.12..|.71...|.27-73.|.37%..|.7-7.....|100%|..6-7..|80%.|27:55|
TOF= Opponents Time of Possession
As the numbers above attest, Wisconsin's defense is giving up 3 TDs and a FG per contest, while Ohio State limits its opponents to a single TD and a FG. This number would be lower but for a last play TD against Indiana last weekend. But, it's not just points that the Badgers have been yielding. Ohio State dominates the stat line in terms of yards by a wide margin, and has yielded some 23 less first downs while also holding opponents to a 37% conversion rate on 3rd downs. Wisconsin has done a good job getting to opposing QBs and have scooped up more loose footballs as well, but this aggressiveness appears to afford some room to run. Ohio State has only let opponents into their red zone 7 times this year, but in each of those visits the opponent came away with points, 6 of those 7 visits resulting in TDs. With Wisconsin's bruising running game, this bodes well for the Badgers - assuming they can get to the 20. The Badgers are more susceptible to big play scores than is Ohio State, but more often than not they do make teams work for points. Considering that Ohio State has had some trouble in short yardage offense, it'll be crucial that Wisconsin force Ohio State to earn their scores a few yards at a time rather than in chunks.
Defensive Line
LE #99 J.J. Watt (6-6, 287, So.)
DT #45 Daniel Moore (6-2, 283, Sr.)
DT #79 Jeff Stehle (6-6, 310, Sr.)
RE #50 O'Brien Schofield (6-2, 248, Sr.)
The D-Line is lead by Schofield, the unit's lone returning starter from 2008. A former LB, Schofield brings quickness off the edge, and in 2009 he's establishing more consistency doing so than in years past. He has 26 tackles, leading all linemen, an incredible 11 TFLs with 4.5 sacks. Watt is a transfer from Central Michigan who provided Wisconsin with quality looks on the scout team last season. Perhaps more suited for a 3-4, Watt could stand to improve his backfield presence, but has provided consistent play from the end position nonetheless. He has 13 tackles, 3.5 for loss with half a sack and a fumble recovery this season. Providing bulk up the middle is Stehle who has been a decent reserve up until now. He won't wow you, but provides a nice anchor for the rest of the line to work with. He has 7 stops thus far. Rounding out the line is Moore, a JUCO transfer who has been fairly good against the run, but historically has had trouble getting to the QB. He has 8 tackles with a sack this season.
Reserves include ends: #11 David Gilbert (6-3, 234, Fr.), #90 Anthony Mains (6-6, 223, rFr.), #97 Brendan Kelly (6-6, 240, rFr.), and #93 Louis Nzegwu (6-4, 245, So.) and tackles: #95 Patrick Butrym (6-4, 291, So.), #77 Dan Cascone (6-2, 301, Sr.), and #64 Jordan Hein (6-3, 286, Sr.) Wisconsin's rotation is lead by Butrym, a quicker option up the gut than is Moore or Stehle. He has 11 tackles, 1.5 TFL with half a sack to go along with an INT this season. Mains and Kelly have each seen action in 3 games and have 2 tackles each, while Nzegwu has 4 tackles in 2 games with a sack. Cascone and Hein round out the bunch. Each has one tackle this season.
DL Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU DL
Schofield has been racking up the numbers and is the sort of force who requires attention from O-Lines. While the rest of the line is not among the best the Badgers have ever fielded, the presence of Schofield really helps the rest of the line make plays. Still, the unit is giving up just under 230 yards a game on the ground and have just 3 sacks without counting Schofield's production. Again, not the most talented D-Line, but one which rarely takes a snap off. Ohio State's D-Line has continued to establish itself as one of the best in the country. Since having their legs cut out from under them virtually every play in the opener, the D-Line has been a brick wall against the run, and has been quite disruptive in passing situations, forcing many throw-aways and bad passes. Wisconsin has 2 more sacks than the Buckeyes, and more TFLs, but Ohio State has more talent and productive depth.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
SLB #53 Mike Taylor (6-1, 221, rFr.)
MLB #15 Culmer St. Jean (6-0, 233, Jr.)
WLB 47 Jaevery McFadden (6-2, 230, Sr.)
Taylor is a talented redshirt who has quickly established himself as a force for the Wisconsin defense. Built more like a DB, he's quick, and also a sure tackler as he leads the team with 35 this season. He also has 5 TFLs, a sack, an INT and a fumble recovery in 2009. McFadden takes over for Jonathan Casillas who has moved on, having spent last season in the role of MLB. Decent in coverage, McFadden seems to always be around the football. He is second on the team in tackles with 32, 3 for loss with a sack. St. Jean is a former special team presence and was a quality backup before getting the starting nod this season. With a good motor, St. Jean is a slightly heavier version of McFadden. He has 31 tackles, 2 for loss with a fumble recovery in 2009.
Reserve LBs are: #41 Kevin Rouse (6-0, 232, So.), #44 Chris Borland (5-11, 235, Fr.), #9 Blake Sorensen (6-1, 231, Jr.), and #56 Matthew Groff (6-2, 234, rFr.). Sorenson leads the reserves in terms of production with 13 stops and a sack this season. Strong and consistent, Sorenson gets the job done, even if he's something less of a playmaker. Borland has seen action in every game in this his first season in Camp Randall. He has 11 tackles, 1.5 sacks to go along with a fumble recovery. Again, just a true freshman, he'll be around for awhile and could grow into a force. Rouse has 1 tackle in limited action, while Groff has yet to record any statistics.
LB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU LBs
The Badgers top 3 LBs have made more tackles than Ohio State's top 3 by a fairly wide margin, though the Buckeyes' Brian Rolle leads them all with 37. Perhaps due to the Buckeyes ability to generate good pressure without having to blitz, the Badger LBs also win the plays made behind the line of scrimmage categories. But, despite these leads in the statistics the Buckeye unit is longer on raw talent, and is also the deeper corps. As part of the larger picture, the Badger D has been giving up more yards - both passing and rushing - and a lot more points (nearly 2 TDs more) and some of this has to fall on the LBs shoulders. In short, the Badgers seem to have a stronger reliance on linebacker play in generating pass rush and running game stops than does Ohio State. Pairing that with coverage responsibilities and this Badger unit may be a tad over-worked, but has met the challenge to date. Nonetheless, an injury to one of the starting 3 could be crushing.
Edge: Ohio State
Secondary
CB #26 Antonio Fenelus (5-9, 185, So.)
FS #21 Chris Maragos (5-11, 198, Sr.)
SS #2 Jay Valai (5-9, 201, Jr.)
CB #10 Devin Smith (5-11, 188, So.)
Free Safety Chris Maragos leads the secondary with tackles thus far with a team fourth-best 26 stops thus far, with 2 for loss (1 sack) and 3 picks. The former Western Michigan transfer came to Wisconsin as a wide receiver, but is now expected to build on the raw ability he showed last season in terms of consistent production. As the numbers attest, so far, so good. Valai loves to deliver the big hit, but sometimes at the expense of making the sure play. He has the speed to cover just about anyone, but has to establish himself as a bigger presence when the ball is in the air. He has 23 tackles with .5 for loss thus far in 2009. Fenelus is a talented sophomore from Boca Raton, Florida who has worked his way to the top as Aaron Henry continues his comeback from a torn ACL a couple seasons ago. He has 19 stops, 1 INT and a fumble recovery this season. On the other side is another new face in Devin Smith, who played on special teams most of 2008. Fast enough to keep up with everyone, Smith is also a reliable open field tackler. He has 16 tackles, 1 INT and a fumble recovery as well.
Providing depth are corners: #7 Aaron Henry (6-0, 195, So.), and #29 Niles Brinkley (5-10, 188, Jr.), and safeties: #37 Kevin Claxton (6-1, 218, So.), #17 Josh Peprah (5-11, 205, Fr.), and #24 Shelton Johnson (6-0, 183, rFr). Henry, again, suffered a torn ACL in 2007 and has had a rough time regaining his pre-injury form. Still, he's capable enough and has played in each of Wisconsin's 5 games this season, recording 10 tackles. Brinkley was penciled in as a starter in the pre-season after having a solid sophomore campaign as a backup. He has 11 tackles, 1 for loss, with a pick in 2009. Claxton has played in all 5 games and has 7 stops. Neither Peprah nor Johnson have recorded any statistics this season.
DB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU DBs
Both Ohio State and Wisconsin sport 8 INTs as a defense. For the Buckeyes, however, only 3 have come from the secondary, while Maragos for the Badgers matches that by himself. But, even with that being so, the Buckeyes have held opponents well below the 235 Wisconsin affords through the air, and have done so in more passes attempted against them. The Badgers have yielded 9 TDs through the air, while the Buckeyes have given up just 4, one of which came on the last play last week against Indiana and 2 (also against Indiana) of which have come without Kurt Coleman's presence on the field. Coleman returns from his one game suspension served last week and may be the best DB on either Ohio State or Wisconsin's teams. While the Badgers are a decent secondary, they give up too many yards and points to be considered the Buckeyes' equal here.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Defensive Analysis
Last season the Badgers had an underachieving group of "stars" who had trouble getting it done in the tight ones and could occassionaly "mail it in" tacking-wise once things started to go poorly. But this season, an influx of "no-names" might be just what the doctor ordered, as Wisconsin tries to re-establish itself as a tough guy defense. There are areas of improvement needed before the Badger stop-forces can be considered among the elite, but this defense is far from being a liability. Wisconsin has not played against a particularly imposing schedule thus far, and it will be interesting to see how they handle the mobile Terrelle Pryor, who scored the winning TD last season in Camp Randall on a late drive. In as much as Wisconsin relies on the running game, Ohio State might try and test the secondary early and often in hopes of making the Badgers play from behind. While this means there may be INTs available for the Badgers, they'll also have to be careful not to go for the big play when the "sure" one may be the better option.
Overall Defensive Rating: B
2009 Wisconsin Badgers Special Teams Preview Stats.......|Score..|Tot.Yds..|Rush..|.Pass..|INT| .Fum.|Sack.|1stD..|.3rd D.|.PCT..|Red Zone.|PCT.|RZ TDs.|PCT.|TOF..|
Wisconsin...|.24.6..|..363.0..|128.0.|.235.0.|.8.| ..7..|.14..|.94...|.29-69.|.42%..|.16-18...|89%.|.11-18.|61%.|28:33|
Ohio State..|.11.8..|..252.6..|.83.4.|.169.2.|.8.|...4..|.12..|.71...|.27-73.|.37%..|.7-7.....|100%|..6-7..|80%.|27:55|
TOF= Opponents Time of Possession
As the numbers above attest, Wisconsin's defense is giving up 3 TDs and a FG per contest, while Ohio State limits its opponents to a single TD and a FG. This number would be lower but for a last play TD against Indiana last weekend. But, it's not just points that the Badgers have been yielding. Ohio State dominates the stat line in terms of yards by a wide margin, and has yielded some 23 less first downs while also holding opponents to a 37% conversion rate on 3rd downs. Wisconsin has done a good job getting to opposing QBs and have scooped up more loose footballs as well, but this aggressiveness appears to afford some room to run. Ohio State has only let opponents into their red zone 7 times this year, but in each of those visits the opponent came away with points, 6 of those 7 visits resulting in TDs. With Wisconsin's bruising running game, this bodes well for the Badgers - assuming they can get to the 20. The Badgers are more susceptible to big play scores than is Ohio State, but more often than not they do make teams work for points. Considering that Ohio State has had some trouble in short yardage offense, it'll be crucial that Wisconsin force Ohio State to earn their scores a few yards at a time rather than in chunks.
Defensive Line
LE #99 J.J. Watt (6-6, 287, So.)
DT #45 Daniel Moore (6-2, 283, Sr.)
DT #79 Jeff Stehle (6-6, 310, Sr.)
RE #50 O'Brien Schofield (6-2, 248, Sr.)
The D-Line is lead by Schofield, the unit's lone returning starter from 2008. A former LB, Schofield brings quickness off the edge, and in 2009 he's establishing more consistency doing so than in years past. He has 26 tackles, leading all linemen, an incredible 11 TFLs with 4.5 sacks. Watt is a transfer from Central Michigan who provided Wisconsin with quality looks on the scout team last season. Perhaps more suited for a 3-4, Watt could stand to improve his backfield presence, but has provided consistent play from the end position nonetheless. He has 13 tackles, 3.5 for loss with half a sack and a fumble recovery this season. Providing bulk up the middle is Stehle who has been a decent reserve up until now. He won't wow you, but provides a nice anchor for the rest of the line to work with. He has 7 stops thus far. Rounding out the line is Moore, a JUCO transfer who has been fairly good against the run, but historically has had trouble getting to the QB. He has 8 tackles with a sack this season.
Reserves include ends: #11 David Gilbert (6-3, 234, Fr.), #90 Anthony Mains (6-6, 223, rFr.), #97 Brendan Kelly (6-6, 240, rFr.), and #93 Louis Nzegwu (6-4, 245, So.) and tackles: #95 Patrick Butrym (6-4, 291, So.), #77 Dan Cascone (6-2, 301, Sr.), and #64 Jordan Hein (6-3, 286, Sr.) Wisconsin's rotation is lead by Butrym, a quicker option up the gut than is Moore or Stehle. He has 11 tackles, 1.5 TFL with half a sack to go along with an INT this season. Mains and Kelly have each seen action in 3 games and have 2 tackles each, while Nzegwu has 4 tackles in 2 games with a sack. Cascone and Hein round out the bunch. Each has one tackle this season.
DL Rating: B-
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU DL
Schofield has been racking up the numbers and is the sort of force who requires attention from O-Lines. While the rest of the line is not among the best the Badgers have ever fielded, the presence of Schofield really helps the rest of the line make plays. Still, the unit is giving up just under 230 yards a game on the ground and have just 3 sacks without counting Schofield's production. Again, not the most talented D-Line, but one which rarely takes a snap off. Ohio State's D-Line has continued to establish itself as one of the best in the country. Since having their legs cut out from under them virtually every play in the opener, the D-Line has been a brick wall against the run, and has been quite disruptive in passing situations, forcing many throw-aways and bad passes. Wisconsin has 2 more sacks than the Buckeyes, and more TFLs, but Ohio State has more talent and productive depth.
Edge: Ohio State
Linebackers
SLB #53 Mike Taylor (6-1, 221, rFr.)
MLB #15 Culmer St. Jean (6-0, 233, Jr.)
WLB 47 Jaevery McFadden (6-2, 230, Sr.)
Taylor is a talented redshirt who has quickly established himself as a force for the Wisconsin defense. Built more like a DB, he's quick, and also a sure tackler as he leads the team with 35 this season. He also has 5 TFLs, a sack, an INT and a fumble recovery in 2009. McFadden takes over for Jonathan Casillas who has moved on, having spent last season in the role of MLB. Decent in coverage, McFadden seems to always be around the football. He is second on the team in tackles with 32, 3 for loss with a sack. St. Jean is a former special team presence and was a quality backup before getting the starting nod this season. With a good motor, St. Jean is a slightly heavier version of McFadden. He has 31 tackles, 2 for loss with a fumble recovery in 2009.
Reserve LBs are: #41 Kevin Rouse (6-0, 232, So.), #44 Chris Borland (5-11, 235, Fr.), #9 Blake Sorensen (6-1, 231, Jr.), and #56 Matthew Groff (6-2, 234, rFr.). Sorenson leads the reserves in terms of production with 13 stops and a sack this season. Strong and consistent, Sorenson gets the job done, even if he's something less of a playmaker. Borland has seen action in every game in this his first season in Camp Randall. He has 11 tackles, 1.5 sacks to go along with a fumble recovery. Again, just a true freshman, he'll be around for awhile and could grow into a force. Rouse has 1 tackle in limited action, while Groff has yet to record any statistics.
LB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU LBs
The Badgers top 3 LBs have made more tackles than Ohio State's top 3 by a fairly wide margin, though the Buckeyes' Brian Rolle leads them all with 37. Perhaps due to the Buckeyes ability to generate good pressure without having to blitz, the Badger LBs also win the plays made behind the line of scrimmage categories. But, despite these leads in the statistics the Buckeye unit is longer on raw talent, and is also the deeper corps. As part of the larger picture, the Badger D has been giving up more yards - both passing and rushing - and a lot more points (nearly 2 TDs more) and some of this has to fall on the LBs shoulders. In short, the Badgers seem to have a stronger reliance on linebacker play in generating pass rush and running game stops than does Ohio State. Pairing that with coverage responsibilities and this Badger unit may be a tad over-worked, but has met the challenge to date. Nonetheless, an injury to one of the starting 3 could be crushing.
Edge: Ohio State
Secondary
CB #26 Antonio Fenelus (5-9, 185, So.)
FS #21 Chris Maragos (5-11, 198, Sr.)
SS #2 Jay Valai (5-9, 201, Jr.)
CB #10 Devin Smith (5-11, 188, So.)
Free Safety Chris Maragos leads the secondary with tackles thus far with a team fourth-best 26 stops thus far, with 2 for loss (1 sack) and 3 picks. The former Western Michigan transfer came to Wisconsin as a wide receiver, but is now expected to build on the raw ability he showed last season in terms of consistent production. As the numbers attest, so far, so good. Valai loves to deliver the big hit, but sometimes at the expense of making the sure play. He has the speed to cover just about anyone, but has to establish himself as a bigger presence when the ball is in the air. He has 23 tackles with .5 for loss thus far in 2009. Fenelus is a talented sophomore from Boca Raton, Florida who has worked his way to the top as Aaron Henry continues his comeback from a torn ACL a couple seasons ago. He has 19 stops, 1 INT and a fumble recovery this season. On the other side is another new face in Devin Smith, who played on special teams most of 2008. Fast enough to keep up with everyone, Smith is also a reliable open field tackler. He has 16 tackles, 1 INT and a fumble recovery as well.
Providing depth are corners: #7 Aaron Henry (6-0, 195, So.), and #29 Niles Brinkley (5-10, 188, Jr.), and safeties: #37 Kevin Claxton (6-1, 218, So.), #17 Josh Peprah (5-11, 205, Fr.), and #24 Shelton Johnson (6-0, 183, rFr). Henry, again, suffered a torn ACL in 2007 and has had a rough time regaining his pre-injury form. Still, he's capable enough and has played in each of Wisconsin's 5 games this season, recording 10 tackles. Brinkley was penciled in as a starter in the pre-season after having a solid sophomore campaign as a backup. He has 11 tackles, 1 for loss, with a pick in 2009. Claxton has played in all 5 games and has 7 stops. Neither Peprah nor Johnson have recorded any statistics this season.
DB Rating: B
Head-to-Head: Wisconsin versus OSU DBs
Both Ohio State and Wisconsin sport 8 INTs as a defense. For the Buckeyes, however, only 3 have come from the secondary, while Maragos for the Badgers matches that by himself. But, even with that being so, the Buckeyes have held opponents well below the 235 Wisconsin affords through the air, and have done so in more passes attempted against them. The Badgers have yielded 9 TDs through the air, while the Buckeyes have given up just 4, one of which came on the last play last week against Indiana and 2 (also against Indiana) of which have come without Kurt Coleman's presence on the field. Coleman returns from his one game suspension served last week and may be the best DB on either Ohio State or Wisconsin's teams. While the Badgers are a decent secondary, they give up too many yards and points to be considered the Buckeyes' equal here.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Defensive Analysis
Last season the Badgers had an underachieving group of "stars" who had trouble getting it done in the tight ones and could occassionaly "mail it in" tacking-wise once things started to go poorly. But this season, an influx of "no-names" might be just what the doctor ordered, as Wisconsin tries to re-establish itself as a tough guy defense. There are areas of improvement needed before the Badger stop-forces can be considered among the elite, but this defense is far from being a liability. Wisconsin has not played against a particularly imposing schedule thus far, and it will be interesting to see how they handle the mobile Terrelle Pryor, who scored the winning TD last season in Camp Randall on a late drive. In as much as Wisconsin relies on the running game, Ohio State might try and test the secondary early and often in hopes of making the Badgers play from behind. While this means there may be INTs available for the Badgers, they'll also have to be careful not to go for the big play when the "sure" one may be the better option.
Overall Defensive Rating: B
Returning Starters: 2 (PK Welch and Punter Nortman)
Wisconsin NCAA Rankings:
Punting: 18 for 771 yards, 42.83 avg
PR Defense: #71, 6 for 59 yards, 9.83 avg
Net Punting: #77, 4 touchbacks, 35.11 avg
Punt Returns: #79, 7 for 47 yards, 6.71 avg, 1 TD
Kickoff Returns: #109, 22 for 395 yards, 17.95 avg
KR Defense: #106, 25 for 623 yards, 24.92 avg
For the 6th consecutive week the Buckeyes will face a team ranking in the bottom half statistically in Special Teams' play. Who would have thought that Navy would have been the best at Special Teams of everyone they have played to date?
Special Teams
PK #18 Philip Welch (6-2, 200, So., Ft. Collins HS, Ft. Collins, CO)
PK #96 Alec Lerner (5-7, 172, Fr., Burke HS, Omaha, NB)
P #98 Brad Nortman (6-3, 209, So., Brookfield Central HS, Brookfield, WI)
P #90 Ryan Wickesberg (6-0, 215, rFR, Cedarburg HS, Saukville, WI)
LS #62 Kyle Wojta (6-2, 231, So., La Follette HS, Madison, WI)
LS #57 Drew Woodward (6-4, 212, Sr., Appleton West HS, Appleton, WI)
PR #85 David Gilreath (5-11, 170, Jr., Robbinsdale Armstrong HS, New Hope, MN)
PR #26 Antonio Fenelus (5-9, 185, So., Boca Raton HS, Boca Raton, FL)
PR #7 Aaron Henry (6-0, 195, So., Immokalee HS, Immokalee, FL)
KR #85 David Gilreath (5-11, 170, Jr., Robbinsdale Armstrong HS, New Hope, MN)
KR #26 Antonio Fenelus (5-9, 185, So., Boca Raton HS, Boca Raton, FL)
KR #14 Marcus Cromartie (6-0, 190, rFr., Timberview HS, Mansfield, TX)
KR #1 Nick Toon (6-3, 212, So., Middleton HS, Middleton, WI)
Head-to-Head FG Kicking:, Welch vs Pettrey
Welch FGs: 5 of 8, long of 57, 2 misses from 40-49, 1 miss 50+
Pettrey FGs: 10 of 13, long of 52, 2 misses from 20-29, 1 miss from 30-39, 2 makes 50+
Both kickers are on the Groza Watch List and have strong legs, but both have also been rather inconsistent this year.
Edge: Even
Head-to-Head when tOSU Punts: Gilreath/Fenelus vs Ohio State Punt Defense
tOSU Punting: 18 for 712 yards, 39.56 avg
tOSU PR Defense: #18, 1 for 3 yards, 3.0 avg
tOSU Net Punting: #28, 1 touchback, 38.28 avg
Wisc Punt Returns: #79, 7 for 47 yards, 6.71 avg, 1 TD (on a blocked punt recovered in the end zone against Wofford)
David Gilreath pulls double-duty on punt returns as well as on kickoffs, and he has explosive speed. Last year he broke an obscure Big Ten record when he rushed for 261 yards on 20 carries (almost all on end arounds), setting a record with 13.05 ypc for a season of conference games only. He broke the record of tOSU's Tommy James, set during the National Championship year of 1942. He is dangerous, but the Buckeyes are very good at not letting punt returners get started.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head When tOSU Kicks Off: Gilreath/Fenelus/Cromartie vs Ohio State Kickoff Defense
Wisc KO Returns: #109, 22 for 395 yards, 17.95 avg
tOSU KR Defense: #64 27 for 577 yards, 21.37 avg
Wisconsin has not been able to get much of a return game going, and tOSU has done well with the sole exception of the Indiana game.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head When Wiscy Punts: Small/Sanzenbacher/Posey vs Wisconsin Punt Defense
Wisconsin Punting: 18 for 771 yards, 42.83 avg
Wisc PR Defense: #71, 6 for 59 yards, 9.83 avg
Wisc Net Punting: #77, 4 touchbacks, 35.11 avg
tOSU Punt Returns: #98, 14 for 65 yards, 4.64 avg
The Buckeyes are still struggling somewhat on punt returns, only averaging 4.64 yards per return. They may get the punt return game going against the Badgers, who have been giving up almost 10 yards per return.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head When Wiscy Kicks Off: Thomas/Saine/Herron vs Wisconsin Kickoff Defense
tOSU KO returns: #021, 13 for 340 yards, 26.15 avg
Wisc KR Defense: #106, 25 for 623 yards, 24.92 avg
The Buckeyes are improved this year in the area of kickoff returns. To date, they are averaging 26.15 yds per return. Wisconsin has issues on kickoff coverage, giving up almost 25 yards per return.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
Wisconsin is a below average team in every significant special teams statistic. The Buckeyes coverage units should continue to control the return games, and tOSU's return men have a chance to pick up significant yardage against lackluster Badger coverage units.
Overall Special Teams Rating: C-
Predictions Punting: 18 for 771 yards, 42.83 avg
PR Defense: #71, 6 for 59 yards, 9.83 avg
Net Punting: #77, 4 touchbacks, 35.11 avg
Punt Returns: #79, 7 for 47 yards, 6.71 avg, 1 TD
Kickoff Returns: #109, 22 for 395 yards, 17.95 avg
KR Defense: #106, 25 for 623 yards, 24.92 avg
For the 6th consecutive week the Buckeyes will face a team ranking in the bottom half statistically in Special Teams' play. Who would have thought that Navy would have been the best at Special Teams of everyone they have played to date?
Special Teams
PK #18 Philip Welch (6-2, 200, So., Ft. Collins HS, Ft. Collins, CO)
PK #96 Alec Lerner (5-7, 172, Fr., Burke HS, Omaha, NB)
P #98 Brad Nortman (6-3, 209, So., Brookfield Central HS, Brookfield, WI)
P #90 Ryan Wickesberg (6-0, 215, rFR, Cedarburg HS, Saukville, WI)
LS #62 Kyle Wojta (6-2, 231, So., La Follette HS, Madison, WI)
LS #57 Drew Woodward (6-4, 212, Sr., Appleton West HS, Appleton, WI)
PR #85 David Gilreath (5-11, 170, Jr., Robbinsdale Armstrong HS, New Hope, MN)
PR #26 Antonio Fenelus (5-9, 185, So., Boca Raton HS, Boca Raton, FL)
PR #7 Aaron Henry (6-0, 195, So., Immokalee HS, Immokalee, FL)
KR #85 David Gilreath (5-11, 170, Jr., Robbinsdale Armstrong HS, New Hope, MN)
KR #26 Antonio Fenelus (5-9, 185, So., Boca Raton HS, Boca Raton, FL)
KR #14 Marcus Cromartie (6-0, 190, rFr., Timberview HS, Mansfield, TX)
KR #1 Nick Toon (6-3, 212, So., Middleton HS, Middleton, WI)
Head-to-Head FG Kicking:, Welch vs Pettrey
Welch FGs: 5 of 8, long of 57, 2 misses from 40-49, 1 miss 50+
Pettrey FGs: 10 of 13, long of 52, 2 misses from 20-29, 1 miss from 30-39, 2 makes 50+
Both kickers are on the Groza Watch List and have strong legs, but both have also been rather inconsistent this year.
Edge: Even
Head-to-Head when tOSU Punts: Gilreath/Fenelus vs Ohio State Punt Defense
tOSU Punting: 18 for 712 yards, 39.56 avg
tOSU PR Defense: #18, 1 for 3 yards, 3.0 avg
tOSU Net Punting: #28, 1 touchback, 38.28 avg
Wisc Punt Returns: #79, 7 for 47 yards, 6.71 avg, 1 TD (on a blocked punt recovered in the end zone against Wofford)
David Gilreath pulls double-duty on punt returns as well as on kickoffs, and he has explosive speed. Last year he broke an obscure Big Ten record when he rushed for 261 yards on 20 carries (almost all on end arounds), setting a record with 13.05 ypc for a season of conference games only. He broke the record of tOSU's Tommy James, set during the National Championship year of 1942. He is dangerous, but the Buckeyes are very good at not letting punt returners get started.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head When tOSU Kicks Off: Gilreath/Fenelus/Cromartie vs Ohio State Kickoff Defense
Wisc KO Returns: #109, 22 for 395 yards, 17.95 avg
tOSU KR Defense: #64 27 for 577 yards, 21.37 avg
Wisconsin has not been able to get much of a return game going, and tOSU has done well with the sole exception of the Indiana game.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head When Wiscy Punts: Small/Sanzenbacher/Posey vs Wisconsin Punt Defense
Wisconsin Punting: 18 for 771 yards, 42.83 avg
Wisc PR Defense: #71, 6 for 59 yards, 9.83 avg
Wisc Net Punting: #77, 4 touchbacks, 35.11 avg
tOSU Punt Returns: #98, 14 for 65 yards, 4.64 avg
The Buckeyes are still struggling somewhat on punt returns, only averaging 4.64 yards per return. They may get the punt return game going against the Badgers, who have been giving up almost 10 yards per return.
Edge: Ohio State
Head-to-Head When Wiscy Kicks Off: Thomas/Saine/Herron vs Wisconsin Kickoff Defense
tOSU KO returns: #021, 13 for 340 yards, 26.15 avg
Wisc KR Defense: #106, 25 for 623 yards, 24.92 avg
The Buckeyes are improved this year in the area of kickoff returns. To date, they are averaging 26.15 yds per return. Wisconsin has issues on kickoff coverage, giving up almost 25 yards per return.
Edge: Ohio State
Overall Special Teams Analysis
Wisconsin is a below average team in every significant special teams statistic. The Buckeyes coverage units should continue to control the return games, and tOSU's return men have a chance to pick up significant yardage against lackluster Badger coverage units.
Overall Special Teams Rating: C-
BB73's prediction: 27-17, Ohio State
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 34-14, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 34-16, Ohio State
Fungo Squiggly's prediction: 30-17, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 41-14, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 37-17, Ohio State
JCOSU86's prediction: 27-10, Ohio State
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual scores versus predicted scores. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
Previous Game's Results (tOSU 33, Indiana 14)
(075) BB73's prediction: 34-16, Ohio State (3 + 072 last week = 075)
(078) Bucky Katt's prediction: 34-13, Ohio State (2 + 076 last week = 078)
(079) JCOSU86's prediction: 42-7, Ohio State (16 + 063 last week = 079)
(093) jwinslow's prediction: 38-10, Ohio State (9 + 084 last week = 093)
(099) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 35-10, Ohio State (6 + 093 last week = 099)
(108) Bucklion's prediction: 34-20, Ohio State (7 + 101 last week = 108)
(112) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 37-10, Ohio State (8 + 104 last week = 112)
Adjusted scores for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 34-14, Ohio State
Bucklion's prediction: 34-16, Ohio State
Fungo Squiggly's prediction: 30-17, Ohio State
DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 41-14, Ohio State
jwinslow's prediction: 37-17, Ohio State
JCOSU86's prediction: 27-10, Ohio State
Low score wins the year long battle of prediction supremacy! (Difference of actual scores versus predicted scores. 10 point penalty for picking the losing team.)
Previous Game's Results (tOSU 33, Indiana 14)
(075) BB73's prediction: 34-16, Ohio State (3 + 072 last week = 075)
(078) Bucky Katt's prediction: 34-13, Ohio State (2 + 076 last week = 078)
(079) JCOSU86's prediction: 42-7, Ohio State (16 + 063 last week = 079)
(093) jwinslow's prediction: 38-10, Ohio State (9 + 084 last week = 093)
(099) Buckeyeskickbuttocks' prediction: 35-10, Ohio State (6 + 093 last week = 099)
(108) Bucklion's prediction: 34-20, Ohio State (7 + 101 last week = 108)
(112) DaddyBigBucks's prediction: 37-10, Ohio State (8 + 104 last week = 112)
Adjusted scores for weeks missed. Participant must take the highest score from the week they missed.
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