Badgers Up For Challenge Against Buckeyes

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) travel to Columbus, Ohio this weekend to take on the Buckeyes (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten), in what should turn out to be a very exciting game on both sides of the ball.

The Badgers are coming off their first road win of the season against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, in which the feet of running back, John Clay, and the passing and running efficiency of quarterback, Scott Tolzien, were key factors in the game. They are also coming in as underdogs in this game. Although, both teams have impressive stats so far this season.

The Buckeyes have Terrelle Pryor at quaterback, who against Indiana had 222 yards of total offense and over 3,000 yards for his career, and has a net of 298 rushing yards on the season.

"He's a big kid, a strog kid, and he has a strong arm" UW defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks said. "The thing I think people underestimate about him is he's a lot faster than what you think, he's such a long strider that it looks like he's floating and gliding."

"He's a playmaker," UW coach Bret Bielema said. "as he's gained more experience and more knowledge, you can see the coaches give him more and more (to do). They really play to his strength."

The Buckeyes, are coming into the game ranked number 8 in the USA Today/Coaches poll and the Harris poll, and number 9 in the AP poll. They also have a defense that is ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and ranked No. 10 nationally against the run. Their defense has allowed only 83.4 yards per game and 2.7 yards per carry and 83.4 yards per game. 

Although the Badgers are ranked 25th in the USA Today/Coaches poll and the Harris poll, the Badgers ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 22 nationally in total offense. They are averageing 433.2 yards. They have gone over 400 yards of offense in each of their first five games this season.  

So what is the biggest challenge the Badgers face going into Columbus?

"Moving the ball and scoring points," said offensive coordinator Paul Chryst. "they're a really good defense and it's a great challenge - they're as good a defense as we've faced."

Badgers tailback, John Clay, who the Buckeyes also heavily recruited, currently leads the Big Ten in rushing and is ranked No. 5 in the nation with 116.4 yards per game. He gained a career-high 184 yards on 32 carries against a pretty good Minnesota defense. He also has seven touchdowns this season, which is No. 1 in the Big Ten and tied for 12th nationally.

"Wisconsin can run it and they've demonstrated that," said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. "We've demonstrated that we can play the run, so now what a great challenge."

And then there is the play of quarterback Scott Tolzien lately, who is No. 1 in the Big Ten in pass efficiency (154.7) and No. 18 nationally. He has completed at least 60% of his passes through five games.

The offensive line has held up pretty good so far as well. UW has not allowed a sack in four of it's five games and is tied for No. 2 nationally with just two sacks allowed all season. They are tied at No. 6 nationally for fewest tackles for loss (TFL's) per game.

If the Badgers can keep playing like they have the past few weeks, with pretty consistent quarterback play, a solid running game, and a defense that makes plays when they need to, then it could be a nice little upset in Columbus.