Ohio State Football: 7 Buckeyes to Watch vs. Wisconsin Badgers

Ohio State has a Big Ten showdown Saturday against No. 12 Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten), which lost a 37-31 heartbreaker to No. 9 Michigan State last week, and there are seven key Buckeyes who could key a victory.

Winning is vital if the Buckeyes (4-3, 1-2 Big Ten) have any chance of gaining a berth in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game.

And Ohio State is not only playing a big opponent, they are wearing special uniforms while honoring Buckeye great Eddie George, who won a Heisman Trophy as a running back.

For Ohio State to win, here are the players key to the team's success.

QB Braxton Miller

Freshman quarterback Braxton Miller will be needed if the Buckeyes hope to beat the Badgers.

Miller did not have a good performance against Illinois Oct. 15. He was 1-of-4 for 17 yards and a touchdown. His lone completion came in the fourth quarter.

While it's true Ohio State's coaches wanted a run-heavy offensive attack against the Illini, Miller had an abysmal passing day.

Maybe the coaches called it because the ankle he injured during the Oct. 8 Nebraska game is still bothering him, but whatever the case, Miller needs to be his potentially explosive self.

SLB Etienne Sabino

Junior linebacker Etienne Sabino has the responsibility to anchor the front seven against Wisconsin's extremely potent offense.

The Badgers are fifth in the nation in scoring (47.4 points a game) and eighth in the run (252.1 yards a game).

Sabino, who has 35 tackles and two sacks, will concentrate on holding Badgers running backs Montee Ball (768 yards, 17 touchdowns) and James White (458 yards, four touchdowns).

RB Dan Herron

Senior running back Dan Herron is arguably the best Big Ten back.

Herron, who served a six-game suspension for violating NCAA rules, made an immediate impact against Illinois. He had 23 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown.

The Badgers are ranked 33rd defending the run (3.5 yards a carry), and No. 1 needs to take advantage of Wisconsin's non-impressive run defense to help his team win.

Being an effective runner will keep Wisconsin's defense honest. The passing game would open up and backs like sophomore Carlos Hyde would better chances in a double backfield is utilized.

CB Travis Howard

Cornerback Travis Howard has had a solid season for the Buckeyes, accumulating 20 tackles and one interception while providing tough coverage. 

Howard will be asked to defend one of the Big Ten's top receivers in senior Nick Toon. Toon has 27 grabs for 505 yards and six scores.

If Howard can frustrate Toon, the Badgers' passing game will slow down.

RB Carlos Hyde

Sophomore running back Carlos Hyde took a backseat against Illinois when senior running back Dan Herron came back.

Hyde, who is the team's leading rusher, had only three carries for eight yards and was severely underutilized.

With the passing game struggling mightily, Ohio State's coaches hopefully will use Hyde in numerous double backfield formations with Herron. Hyde has proven to be an effective player who will punish opponents with his speed and size.

If Hyde is again underutilized, the Buckeyes offense will probably struggle.

DT John Simon

The Badgers have an extremely efficient quarterback in Russell Wilson, who is complemented by a great running game.

To disrupt that flow, junior defensive tackle John Simon needs to get off the offensive line and into Wisconsin's backfield.

Simon is coming off the best game of his career where he had eight tackles and two sacks against Illinois. Those totals add to a solid 2011, where Simon has 26 tackles (seven for a loss) and three sacks.

Simon can get to Wilson and will have to consistently if the Buckeyes hope to keep Wisconsin's scoring down.

TE Jake Stoneburner

Junior tight end Jake Stoneburner has a knack for making the big play. Of his 12 receptions this year, six of them have been touchdowns.

Stoneburner's last two catches were touchdowns and those were not cheap ones. Both scores occurred with him beating out defenders.

A big play or two would be very helpful in Ohio State's efforts to overcome Wisconsin.

Bob Bajek is a writing intern at Bleacher Report. He is also a freelance reporter and can be followed at Patch.com and Twitter.