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Ohio State Football: Predicting second half of the season

By Alex Austin

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Johnnie Dixon III of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball after a catch against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Johnnie Dixon III of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball after a catch against the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for yards during a game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for yards during a game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

October 26 – Wisconsin

Reasons for Optimism: Circle this date on your calendar. Both teams should be in the top six nationally come game time. Both feature dominate defenses, strong run games and plenty of history. Luckily, this game will be in ‘The Shoe’ at noon and a raucous crowd should help the Buckeyes find energy early.

Ohio State has the ability to slow down Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor (keep in mind it’s not possible to stop him completely) and make QB Jack Coan beat them through the air. The offense will try to find opportune moments against a tough defense.

Ohio State has widely been declared the most complete team in the country, and that means the Buckeyes have many ways to put an opponent away.

Reasons for Concern: This is by far the best team Ohio State will have played up to that point of the season. How will the Buckeyes respond if things don’t go their way?

If there is not the usual second quarter explosion against the top defense in the country, can the they find a way to grind out a win? This could be the game where it feels like Ryan Day and Justin Fields are both in their first season at their positions – potentially struggling with the adversity during the course of an entire game.

Wisconsin will not allow a lot of space to run the ball, so Fields will have to be smart through the air and know when to use his legs.

This should be a defensive slug-fest between two of the country’s best defenses. Look for the offenses to start slow but find some room to work after halftime adjustments.

Ohio State’s ability to run and throw the ball compared to Wisconsin’s run-first offense will be the difference maker in this one – giving the Buckeyes one final drive to top the Badgers. These teams are on a collision course to meet again at the Big Ten Championship Game with a spot in the College Football Playoffs likely up for grabs.

Prediction: Ohio State 24 – Wisconsin 17

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