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Ohio State Football: Week 9 predictions, Buckeyes vs. Badgers

By Charlie Lockhart

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 18: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes passes the football in the third quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 18, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 18: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes passes the football in the third quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 18, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Those of us at Scarlet And Game make predictions on the Ohio State football game each week. Saturday’s game against the Wisconsin Badgers is the most important one so far this season.

A win Saturday will certainly be a test for the Ohio State football team as the Wisconsin Badgers who will certainly be in a bad mood after their loss to Illinois. A win over the 13th ranked Badgers will definitely help the Buckeyes’ chances of making the College Football Playoff so this should be a battle.

We will get to our Scarlet And Game predictions for this week’s game beginning with the guy who broke my winning streak last week, Blake Biscardi.

Blake:

Rain rain go away. Weather is going to play a factor and add a new twist to the highly anticipated showdown between Ohio State and Wisconsin.

The Badgers stumbled last week as they got caught looking ahead, but I expect Paul Chryst to have his team fired up and ready to go. Wisconsin will want to play ball control offense and force Ohio State to be patient and efficient. Something the Buckeyes haven’t had to do all the often this year so we will see how they adjust.

I fully anticipate Ryan Day and the offense to be well prepared and execute the game plan. The Buckeyes can run the ball just as effectively as the Badgers, but do to the rain the passing attack will play a huge role.

Rain and wind will make regular routine throws a bit more low percentage and high risk shots down the field even more so. I like Justin Fields and JK Dobbins to make enough plays with their legs, but Fields will come up big at times through the air which will separate the Buckeyes in the third quarter.

The turnover battle will be crucial for whichever team wins this game as in containing the best running back in America, Jonathan Taylor. Ohio State’s front with Chase Young and company is tough to run through and the Buckeyes certainly have the speed outside. Tackling and gap integrity will be key in stopping Taylor. I think he’s held under 100 yards on the day.

This is going to be an absolute slugfest, but the Badgers haven’t seen an offense or defense all season like the Buckeyes. I believe Ryan Day calls a phenomenal game and the defense rises to the challenge.

Ohio State 34 Wisconsin 17

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