In a game that had the feel of some sort of Big Ten semi-final tilt if there was such a thing, Ohio State outlasted Wisconsin in Camp Randall in overtime, 30-23. It could be a preview of the actual Big Ten Championship Game, but that’ll take some doing on both sides.
At any rate, we were treated to more of the incredible from college football, and there is much we can take away from it.
1. The Buckeyes have the heart of a champion
Every season, every team, every group of people is different, even when the core leadership of them is the same. To just assume that because a team returns “X amount of players” or their coach or a certain position means all the positives carry over from the previous season are false. OSU had plenty of moments where a weaker team would have folded tent, particularly in the first half when the Badgers’ defense was reading them their Miranda Rights. The Bucks got back in it, obviously, but really took over in overtime and then overwhelmed Wisconsin on the last play of the game as the Badgers were trying to score. Wisconsin had to score on their last drive and keep that fella out of overtime, because OSU just seems to dig deep annually.
2. Wisconsin looks like the best team in the Big Ten West … but they’ll need to win out to win the division
The schedule gods must dislike cheese. As of right now, Wisconsin is 5th in the Big Ten West, which obviously won’t hold up, but it’ll be a long slog to catch Nebraska. The Badgers had the poor fortune of having to tangle with Michigan State (since exposed), Ohio State, and Michigan while the Huskers will miss the Spartans and Wolverines. Both play at Iowa, and the Huskers will visit Camp Randall. They also get Ohio State. But it will be a tough road back to the top, with road games against the aforementioned Hawkeyes and suddenly resurrected Northwestern Wildcats for the Badgers to get to the Big Ten title game, which is too bad because they’re damn good.
3. OSU’s run defense will need to be better if they’re going to post up another title
The Badgers tromped around to the tune of 236 yards rushing, including the -34 from the quarterback who is by no means a runner. Over and over, Wisconsin put holes in the OSU defensive front and allow their passing game to have more options than OSU probably would prefer they have. Against teams with a more dynamic passing game, the run defense will absolutely have to be better. Granted, Wisconsin is one of the better OL’s in the game, but one thing about them is that they’re not a group of immense deception. They just come at you. To win a title … which means beating teams like Alabama … the run defense will need to be appreciably more stingy.
