A week after reaching its highest ranking of the season in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, Ohio State faces Wisconsin in a game which could have potentially huge implications for the Big Ten.
The Buckeyes climbed up to third—their highest ranking this year—in the Associated Press Top 25 poll after crushing Northwestern 52-3 on the road last week to improve to 7-0.
With No. 1 ranked Alabama playing Arkansas without star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and No. 2 LSU facing No. 9 Auburn, Ohio State could end Week 9 even higher than it started.
Doing so, however, will in all likelihood require the Buckeyes to produce their best performance of the season.
Wisconsin may have dropped to No. 13 in the rankings after losing 24-23 to Illinois last week, but the 6-1 Badgers remain a formidable opponent.
Wisconsin ranks first in the country in scoring defense—just ahead of Ohio State—and total defense, as well as in third-down and red zone efficiency. The Badgers have conceded the fewest rushing yards and passing yards per game and lead the Big Ten in passes defended and fewest plays of over 20 yards allowed.
Ohio State has scored at least 40 points in every game this season, with the exception of the win against Michigan State, when the Buckeyes put up 34 points against a defensive unit that ranks 22nd in the country in total defense.
It is little surprise, then, that Ohio State coach Ryan Day considers Saturday's game as the biggest test his team has faced this season.
"This is the No. 1 defense in the country," he said in his press conference earlier this week. "We consider ourselves to be one of the top offenses in the country. [We'll] find out where we're at [Saturday]. The secondary is very talented, as well. You have to hang onto the ball maybe a little bit longer than you want to."
This is gonna be fun 🍿 pic.twitter.com/buWODckhBV
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 23, 2019
While Wisconsin's defense will be the hardest test Ohio State's offense has faced this season, the same principle applies in reverse.
The Buckeyes rank third in the nation in scoring offense and fifth in total offense and they are the first top-60 attack crossing the Badgers' path this season.
Ohio State has outscored opponents 231-31 in the first half of games and no team has lost by less than 24 points. To put the Buckeyes' offensive domination into context, according to Sports Illustrated, they have scored on 82 percent of possession that advance inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
If the prospect of Ohio State's offense facing Wisconsin's defense is fascinating, the matchup between Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields and the Badgers defensive unit is a game within the game.
The sophomore signal caller has thrown for 1,492 yards, 22 touchdowns and just one pick this season, while completing 68 percent of his passes.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, is yet to face a Power 5 offense averaging more than 60 percent completion through the air and its response to Fields could a long way in deciding the game.
Both teams face a stern test on Saturday and Badgers head coach Paul Christ has backed his players to put the surprise defeat against Illinois, which saw Wisconsin slip from No.6 to No.13, behind them.
"Our guys are resilient," he said in his press conference. "We have to turn the page fast."
Here's all you need to know ahead of Saturday.
When and where is the game?
The Ohio State Buckeyes host the Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, October 26.
Kick-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET.
TV coverage
The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
Live stream
A live stream will be available via FOX's digital platforms and via the FOX Sports GO app as well as via fuboTV.
Series record
Ohio State holds the upper hand in the all-time series, with 59 wins to Wisconsin's 18. The Buckeyes have won the last six meetings against the Badgers, twice defeating them in the Big Ten Championship Game—in 2014 and 2017.
Odds
According to BetOnline, Ohio State is a 14-point favorite and is 22/25 to cover the spread, while Wisconsin is a 49/10 underdog.
The over/under line in terms of total points scored is set at 61.5.
About the writer
Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he was a news and business reporter at International Business Times UK. Dan has also written for The Guardian and The Observer.
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