Buckeyes vs. Badgers: a B1G Noon Showdown in The ‘Shoe
10/22/2019 10:14:03 AM | Football
A pair of Big Ten heavyweights square off in a big noon showdown Saturday as No. 3 Ohio State welcomes in No. 13 Wisconsin for a key conference inter-division contest
Both teams bring in stout defenses to this year’s game: Ohio State has top-10 rankings in total defense (No. 2), passing defense (No. 2), scoring defense (No. 2) and rushing defense (No. 9). Wisconsin, meanwhile, has the No. 1-ranked defense in each of those categories.
And while there will be plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball, two of the nation’s top running backs will also be on the field: Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins is No. 4 nationally in rushing yards (947), just 10 yards behind Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor (957).
THE BASICS
No. 13 Wisconsin vs. No. 3 Ohio State • Saturday, Oct. 26 • When: Noon • Where: Ohio Stadium • TV: FOX • Play by Play: Gus Johnson • Analyst: Joel Klatt • Sidelines: Jenny Taft
BIG TEN, BIG NOON, BIG GAME
A pair of national pregame shows will originate from Columbus on Saturday. Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff,” which includes host Rob Stone and analysts Urban Meyer, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn, will broadcast live from inside Ohio Stadium.
BTN Tailgate, hosted by Dave Revsine, Gerry DiNardo, Howard Griffith and Michelle McMahon, will air live from outside the RPAC adjacent to Ohio Stadium from 10 a.m. until noon.
Take a deeper look into Ohio State’s much-anticipated matchup with Wisconsin Saturday:
- Ohio State (99-17) and Wisconsin (98-31) are the Big Ten’s winningest programs over the last decade.
- Five of the last six games between Ohio State and Wisconsin have been decided by seven points or less, including the 2017 Big Ten championship game, a 27-21 Ohio State victory.
- Over the last 10 meetings, six games have been decided by seven points or less, including one overtime game (a 21-14 win for Ohio State in 2012) and a last-second Buckeye win in 2011 (33-29 on a Braxton Miller-to-Devin Smith touchdown with 20 seconds remaining).
- Wisconsin and Ohio State have the nation’s No. 1 and No. 2-ranked scoring defenses, respectively, in the country. They are the only teams allowing less than 10 points per game.
- Ohio State’s third-down conversion rate of 56.1 percent is the best in the country. Wisconsin, meanwhile, has the nation’s No. 1-ranked third-down defense at just 16.1 percent.
- Ohio State is allowing a nations-best 0.53 points per possession this season. Wisconsin in No. 2 at 0.55 points/possession.
- Ohio State’s defense has allowed just three touchdown passes this season, which is tied for the fewest in the country.
- The Buckeyes have won 13 straight games dating back to last season, the second longest streak in the FBS.
- Justin Fields’ 22 touchdown passes ranks 10th best in OSU single-season history.
- Ohio State’s 66.0 tackles-for-loss – tied for the most in the nation – have come by 23 different players.
- The Buckeyes are 30-1 at Ohio Stadium against Big Ten opponents since the start of the 2012 season.
STOUT SILVER BULLETS
- Aided by the play of Thorpe Award semifinalist Jeff Okudah, the Ohio State defense has allowed just 10 pass plays of 20 yards or more, which is tied with Clemson and Utah for second fewest in the country.
- Opponents have scored touchdowns on just 25 percent of their red zone opportunities (four of 16), a figure that is second best nationally.
- Ohio State’s defense has produced a takeaway in all seven games this season and 14 of 16 contests dating back to last season.
FAST STARTS
- Ohio State has outscored its opponent by 155 points in the first half, 231-31.
- It has scored 73 points in the first quarter and 158 in the second while allowing just 11 and 20, respectively.
- Ohio State is averaging 33.0 points and 305.7 total yards of offense per first half and allowing 4.4 points and 94.1 total yards per first half.
- Ohio State has scored more points in the first half than 111 teams nationally have scored the entire season.
SCORCHING THE SECOND QUARTER SCOREBOARD
- Ohio State has scored 21 or more points in the second quarter in each of the last six games.
- Ohio State’s 158 second-quarter points are the second most of any team in the country.
- The Buckeyes have outgained opponents 1,432-309 in the second quarter, a margin of 1,123 yards.
- Ohio State is averaging nearly 10 yards per play in the second quarter (9.4) while the defense is allowing less than three yards a play (2.8)
10
Ohio State has produced a nation’s-best 10 rushing plays of 40 or more yards. The Buckeyes also lead with seven rushes of 50 or more yards.
22.6
Ohio State’s average of 22.6 second-quarter points is the most in the country and nearly seven points better than the second-best team (LSU, 15.8 points).
9%
Ohio State is one of just four teams to go three-and-out on less than 10 percent of their possessions thus far.
55
Blake Haubeil’s 55-yard field goal last week at Northwestern was the fifth-longest nationally so far this season.
- The Badgers bring the nation’s No. 1 defense by nearly every statistical measure.
- Wisconsin is tops in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense, passing defense and fewest yards per play allowed.
- The Badger defense already has four shutouts to its credit and is the first Big Ten team to accomplish that since 1962.
- Wisconsin’s defense has produced 51 total tackles for loss and leading the way is Zack Baun, who has 11 for minus 50 yards. Baun’s 6.5 quarterback sacks is also tops on the team.
- On the offensive side of the ball, running back Jonathan Taylor in the nation’s leader with 15 rushing touchdowns and is No. 3 in yards with 957.
