Wisconsin Football: 5 Things to Watch: Wisky Edition

Check out our Know the Opposition feature for full information on Wisconsin. Below we have five things to look for as the Ohio St. Buckeyes head to Camp Randall trying to prove the doubters wrong...

1) Watch Scott Tolzien and the play-action pass.

Everyone wants to talk about running backs John Clay and James White, but they alone will not win the game for the Badgers. They are the backbone of the offense, as Wisconsin always builds their teams around the run, but the Buckeyes are always tough in run defense. While the Badgers may have a bit more success running the ball than other teams Ohio State has faced, it still won't be enough to keep up offensively. I just have too much trust in our defense.

The difference maker is Scott Tolzien and his ability to hit his tight ends off of play-action passes. Over the last several years the Buckeye defense has showed it's very vulnerable to good play-action teams, especially when they heavily use the tight end. This was one of the keys to victory for LSU is the 2007 National Championship game, and this year even teams like EMU have used this to put together solid drives. The Badgers have one of the best tight ends in the country in Lance Kendricks (25 catches, 391 yards and three TD's), and if the Buckeyes don't account for him, it will be long night.

2) Watch Jim Tressel and the offensive play calling.

One of the biggest keys in this game will be how Tressel will call things offensively. While Camp Randall is a hostile environment and keeping turnovers to a minimum is vital, he must open things up for Pryor and the passing game. The Badger defense has been exposed this season, and every team outside of Austin Peay has put up some major points against them.

Kirk Cousins torched this secondary for 270 yards and three touchdowns, as MSU beat them 34-24, and last week Adam Weber had 249 yards and three touchdowns as the Gophers went down 41-23. Tressel can not play tight, banking just on the defense to stop the Wisconsin offense. Instead, the goal should be to come out slinging early on, and hopefully take the early lead. One of the best ways to stop a dynamic running game is to make an opponent's offense play catch up.

This takes the ball out of the running backs hands, especially late in games when defenses are most vulnerable to being gashed by power backs. So watch to see Tressel's offensive game plan, especially early on.      

3) Watch the pass protection for Pryor.

While Wisconsin's defensive line isn't quite as good at getting to the quarterback as last year, they are still very talented. The guy to really keep an eye on is J.J. Watt, who has 8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks so far this season. Much like the rest of their defensive line, he isn't flashy but brings it every play.

In a hostile environment on the road, a few early sacks could spell trouble for Pryor's confidence and how willing Tressel is to opening up the playbook. So the offensive line has to come to play tonight and has to protect Pryor all game long. If they give him time, as they have all season long, I don't think the Badgers have much of a hope of walking away with the upset.

4) Watch Boom Herron and the running game.

While the Buckeyes don't need Herron to average six yards a carry tonight, a big game from him would make the offense absolutely lethal. The Badger defense will be geared up to stop Pryor all night, and Herron and the other running backs need to help keep them honest. If Herron could accumulate 70-75 yards, it will go a long way in helping to keep the linebackers off-balance.

The Badger defense can be run on as well, so there is no excuse for the running game to not get things going tonight. I do think Pryor will be healthy and making plays with his feet again, but he will need help from Herron and company to move the chains tonight. Watch to see who steps up and makes plays from the running back spot.

5) Watch the how the front seven holds up.

As I mentioned above, I think the Buckeye defense will hold their own against the run tonight. If the game stays close though, I do worry about how they hold up in the fourth quarter against a big, physical offensive line and running back in John Clay. The Silver Bullets are built more on speed than power this season, just look at Brian Rolle at MLB, so keep an eye on how they hold up as the game goes along. We all know from the careers of Eddie George and Beanie Wells that big backs get stronger as the game goes along, and if the Badgers hang around this could become a big factor late in the game.