The 3 Biggest X-Factors for Ohio State vs. Wisconsin

A year after falling short to Michigan State in the Big Ten title game, Urban Meyer and No. 6 Ohio State are headed back to Indianapolis for a matchup against No. 11 Wisconsin this Saturday. 

The Buckeyes haven't won a conference title since 2009 (their shared championship in 2010 was vacated) despite winning 35 of their 38 games under Meyer. Beating the Badgers and earning that championship will be a tall order without star quarterback J.T. Barrett, though. The Heisman Trophy candidate suffered a fractured ankle early in the fourth quarter against Michigan and will be sidelined for the rest of the season.

How can Ohio State rise up and beat Wisconsin? These three X-factors will be imperative as the Buckeyes try to replace Barrett and stop a powerful Badgers offense. 

Cardale Jones

Faced with the reality of going to the Big Ten title game without the quarterback who was instrumental in getting his team there, Meyer talked about backup Cardale Jones, who will take the reins as Barrett's replacement.

“Obviously, we lost a Heisman candidate today, J.T. Barrett,” Meyer said, according to Bob Hunter of The Columbus Dispatch. “So we’ve got to go. We’ve got to go, and we have a lot of confidence in the guy that’s going to be doing it. His name is Cardale Jones. He’s been here, I think, for 120 years. He’s been here awhile."

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Jones, a redshirt sophomore, was a part of Meyer's first recruiting class at Ohio State. The 6'5", 250-pound bruiser is a strong runner with a cannon of an arm, but the Buckeyes will likely simplify the game plan in an effort to avoid mistakes.

"I can't imagine the type of pressure he's going to be feeling," left tackle Taylor Decker said, according to Bill Landis of The Plain Dealer. "If we come together and let him know the he doesn't need to be a super hero. He doesn't have to play the best game he's every played. He just has to prepare and we'll be fine."

The Run Defense

The Buckeyes' run defense has been uncharacteristically poor this season, and they're coming off of four bad outings. 

Dating back to its matchup against the Spartans, Ohio State has surrendered a combined 584 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns to running backs Jeremy Langford (Michigan State), David Cobb (Minnesota), Tevin Coleman (Indiana) and Drake Johnson (Michigan). And those numbers could have been worse if not for an injury to Johnson in the third quarter of Saturday's game. 

In order to win the Big Ten championship, the Buckeyes will have to find a way to limit Melvin Gordon, who leads the country with 2,260 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground. 

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Gordon, who's closing in on Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record and in the thick of the Heisman Trophy race, has the blend of speed and power that could give the Buckeyes serious fits on Saturday. 

The Buckeyes will be able to load the box to stop the run, as Wisconsin averages just 147.8 passing yards per game, which ranks 117th nationally. But that's the blueprint that every team has used against the Badgers, and still, Gordon is on the brink of history.

If Ohio State can't find a way to slow him down, it could be a long night for the Buckeyes. 

Jalin Marshall 

The Buckeyes will be looking to utilize their bevy of playmakers in Barrett's absence, and none of those options are more versatile than Jalin Marshall.

The former 4-star athlete has emerged as Ohio State's top H-back after Dontre Wilson broke his foot against Michigan State, and he has thrived with the Buckeyes, leading the team in receiving yards (199) and receiving touchdowns (four) over the past three games. 

But the Buckeyes could get creative with Marshall, who used to play quarterback at the high school level. In fact, Meyer hinted toward that on Sunday night. 

Marshall's versatility as a receiver, runner and as a potential passing threat could catch the Badgers off balance. 

All stats via NCAA.com. All recruiting information via 247 Sports. 

David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.