BUCKEY BADGER RECAP, 7 THOUGHTS FROM THE BLEACHERS

1.  REALLY?  This is probably the largest blowout when the opponent dominated statistically. However, statistics sometimes don't show everything.  While Wisconsin dominated Ohio State in terms of possession and yardage nearly 2 to 1, OSU won by what seemed to be a blowout score of 31-13.   However, a total team effort by OSU in Defense, Special Teams and effective drives made the final score 31-13.

2. BEND DON'T BREAK:  Hats off to Wisconsin for their effort and hard play in this difficult loss.  Wisconsin hit hard, contained The Buckeye rushing attack and for the most part their diverse offense drove easily between the 30's.  However, a lack of a consistent running game meant that Wisconsin had to settle for Field Goals in a game when Ohio State was scoring Touchdowns.

3.  TOLZEIN, THE GOOD, THE BAD THE UGLY: 

The Good; Tolzein was much more impressive than I predicted in my comments from last week.  He made good reads, converted third and longs, held tough in the pocket and distributed the ball well.   To his credit Badger wide receivers became much more active in Wisconsins offense much more than any one expected.

The Bad; Wisconsin's wide receivers had key drops, especially one in the end zone.

The Ugly;  Under pressure, Tolzein threw two key interceptions and due to an opportunistic Ohio State defense, The Buckeyes converted these into touchdowns. Watch replay on these plays and The silver bullets paved the way for Hines and Coleman with crucial blocks to get points that their offense wasn't. 

4.  IT'S NOT AS BAD AS IT LOOKS;  While Ohio State's offense is being largely critisized this week, it's not that bad.  True, Wisconsin held the Buckeyes under wrap, when Ohio State trailed, the offense responded with efficiency.  Late in the first half, trailing for the first time, Pryor made huge scrambles and clutch throws culminating with Posey's diving Touchdown catch to swing the momentum of the game and lead the Badgers to wonder how they could possibly be trailing at half.  Then due to Ohio State's two third quarter touchdowns by first their defense and then their special teams Wisconsin held the ball for much of that quarter. Making long time consuming drives The Badgers only came away with three meager points.  The Buckeyes responded by immediately going on a long drive building their lead to three scores early into the fourth quarter after driving inside the Badger ten.   In other words, when pushed The Buckeye offense was effective.  Then, with a huge lead, Tressel ball game into play, which is conservative play calling, grind the clock down and let the defense do its thing.

5. NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY;  Let's look at the total team effort for both squads;

Ohio State Offense scored ten points.  Wisconsin's Offense scored 6 points.

Ohio State special teams scored seven points  Wisconsin special teams scored the same.

Ohio State's defense scored fourteen points.  Wisconsin's defense scored zero points.

6.  THE GAME WAS WON IN THE TRENCHES:

As ABC announcers commented late in the game, Ohio State's Defensive line kicked Wisconsin's Offensive line's butt.  Not sure about that, however Clay was limited in his yardage, Tolzein was sacked 6 times, pressured and hit and an inconsistent running game kept The Badger offense out of The Buckeye end zone.  There was a time late in the third and early in the fourth when Wisconsin's offense line stood up the Buckeyes and Tolzein had much time.  But, that only lasted two drives and Tolzein came under pressure and The Buckeyes seemed to have their way to close out the win.

7.  SCHEDULING DOES MATTER:  Part of me believes that should the Badgers have scheduled a decent out of conference opponent they could of been in a scrape that could have given them experience to prepare them for this game.  Tolzein appears to be a quarterback who with more experience can compliment very effectively Wisconsin's smash mouth running game.  This was the first true test of a top twenty five team that Wisconsin faced. While many debate who has Ohio State beaten, the issue is who Ohio State played to push them and prepare them for such games.  Tressel, wise or unswise has scheduled at least one decent out of conference game for the next decade.  College football fans have feasted on home and away games for Ohio State in the past few years like Texas and Southern Cal.  In the futrue, fans will see such games as The Bucks against Miami, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and Oklahoma.   I, as a Big Ten and College football fan, would like to see Wisconsin play such opponents, and it would beneficial for them to help them to prepare to compete against upper tier Big Ten Teams which Wisconsin belongs!