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Ohio State Football: 5 predictions for Big Ten Championship game

By Frank Teriaca

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with the Big Ten Championship Trophy after the win 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: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with the Big Ten Championship Trophy after the win 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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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 30: K.J. Hill #14 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates his second half touchdown with Jonah Jackson #73 and Branden Bowen #76 against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ohio State won the game 56-27. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 30: K.J. Hill #14 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates his second half touchdown with Jonah Jackson #73 and Branden Bowen #76 against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ohio State won the game 56-27. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Ohio State scores quick, sends message early

The Buckeyes offense got off to a rocking start last Saturday in the Big House. After Michigan scored an opening touchdown, Ohio State received the ball and went on a nine play 75 yard drive that featured a lot of J.K. Dobbins. I expect to see more of the same against the Badgers.

On the surface, this seems like your typical let down game. After an emotional victory over their arch rivals, it would be easy to assume the Buckeyes would be looking over their shoulder to the College Football Playoffs.

Ryan Day and this coaching staff are not wired like that. Neither are these players.

Ohio State teams of the past have been caught in let down games against Purdue and Iowa. This team remembers them. Coach Day has had this Buckeye squad focused every week they have taken the field, even against poor Rutgers.

And the focus for the team is there this week according to coach Day, via Cleveland.com:

"They knew it was going to be tough, emotional, hard games in a row. We’re in it. They knew what to expect. Now that we’re in it, it’s just the focus on the game right now. I think they’ve had some awareness of it and we’ll have a good practice this week.”"

Wanting to put this game away early in hopes of getting Justin Fields and the rest of the starters out by when the fourth quarter rolls around, I expect Day to unleash the full potential of this offense early in this game.

And I also expect co-defensive coordinators Jeff Haffley and Greg Mattison to do all they can to get three and out stops and give the ball back quickly to the offense. This will allow Ohio State to pile up some scores before Wisconsin knows what hit them. Look to see a three touchdown lead in this game early on.

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