Wisconsin Badgers vs Ohio State Buckeyes: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Where: Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH

When: Saturday, October 26th at 12pm EST

How (TV): FOX

Wisconsin Badgers (Away)

Top 15 matchup. Top 2 defenses.

? on next Saturday ?#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/uIiHrH0DGV

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 20, 2019

Head Coach: Paul Chryst {All-Time: 67-32 | PITT, WIS}

Regular Season Record: 6-1

Before last week, this game was expected to be a meeting between top-five ranked conference foes that could give the winner an edge in the playoff race. Unfortunately for Big Ten football fans, Wisconsin did not do their part to maximize the hype heading into Saturday’s matchup, losing to lowly Illinois this past weekend.

The Badgers got caught looking ahead to this game and paid for it with a heartbreaking 24-23 loss to the Fighting Illini. Turnovers proved to be a backbreaker for Wisconsin, with quarterback Jack Coan throwing a pick and coughing up a fumble. The interception would prove to be the nail in the coffin, as Illinois would run down the clock before kicking a game winning field goal. Even star running back Jonathan Taylor hurt his team with a fumble, which put a dent in his 132 rushing yard performance.

Wisconsin’s defense did their best to prevent Illinois from capitalizing on those giveaways, with redshirt senior linebacker Chris Orr tallying three sacks. Redshirt freshman safety Reggie Pearson added two tackles for a loss and batted down three passes in the losing effort.

For more on the Bagders, check out this article: Wisconsin Badgers Team Preview

Head Coach: Ryan Day {All-Time: 10-0 | OSU}

Regular Season Record: 7-0

After playing a rare Friday game last week, the Ohio State Buckeyes get to finally prove themselves against a legitimate threat. With their offense (49.7 PPG) and defense (8.0 PPG) ranked third and second respectively in scoring, the Buckeyes have left opponents in the dust this season, with their closest wins being 24 point margins against Florida Atlantic and Michigan State. OSU has also only allowed multiple touchdowns in a game just once, with that game being the opener against FAU.

Last week’s game was more of the same for the Big Ten favourites, as Ryan Day’s squad humiliated Northwestern 52-3 in Evanston. The Buckeyes put up 480 yards of offense, with running backs J.K. Dobbins and Master Teague combining for over 200 yards on the ground. Quarterback Justin Fields padded his Heisman resume by tossing four touchdowns, two of which were caught by sophomore wideout Chris Olave.

Ohio State’s defense did not allow the Wildcats’ anemic offense to get going whatsoever, limiting quarterback Aiden Smith to 42 passing yards, and just six completions on 20 attempts. Defensive backs Amir Riep and Sevyn Banks would pick off passes from Smith as well as backup quarterback Andrew Marty, whose interception would be his lone pass attempt of the evening.

For more on the Buckeyes, check out this article: Ohio State Buckeyes Team Preview

Wisconsin vs Ohio State All-Time Series

In 82 meetings that date back to 1913, the Buckeyes have dominated the Badgers, leading the series 59-18-5 and winning 9 of the last 10 matchups. The last meeting between the two schools was in 2017, when eighth ranked Ohio State took down number three Wisconsin 27-21 in that season’s Big Ten championship game. The Badgers have not beaten Ohio State since a 31-18 upset of the number one ranked Buckeyes in 2010, while their last victory in Ohio Stadium occurred back in 2004, with Barry Alvarez roaming the sidelines.

Wisconsin Roster Notes

Freshman linebacker Leo Chenal is listed as questionable with a concussion and has not yet cleared protocol after missing the last two games.

Junior fullback Mason Stokke is listed as questionable with a concussion and has not yet cleared protocol after missing the last two games.

Redshirt junior receiver/returner Jack Dunn is listed as questionable with a head injury.

Junior safety Madison Cone is listed as questionable with a leg injury.

Ohio State Roster Notes

Junior offensive tackle Thayer Munford is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury that kept him out of action against Northwestern.

Junior linebacker Baron Browning is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury that held him out against Northwestern.

Redshirt senior offensive tackle Joshua Alabi is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury that held him out against Northwestern.

Redshirt junior tight end Jake Hausmann is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury that kept him out of action against Northwestern.

Sophomore linebacker Teradja Mitchell is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action for the last three games.

Redshirt sophomore receiver Ellijah Gardiner is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury that has kept him inactive for the last two games.

Senior receiver C.J. Saunders is listed as questionable with a knee injury that has held him out all season thus far.

Head-to-Head: Jonathan Taylor (WIS) vs J.K. Dobbins (OSU)

The most exciting athletes to look out for in this game outside of Justin Fields will be each team’s leading rusher, as Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor will look to outrun Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins. With each runner having to take on tough opposing linebacking corps, they will have to put forth their best efforts to match their gaudy stat lines from previous games.

Jonathan Taylor

Running Back | 5-11, 219lb | Salem HS | Salem, NJ | Junior

Jonathan Taylor is the latest in a long line of Wisconsin running backs that features names like Ron Dayne, Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon, and James White. Having finished in the top ten in Heisman voting the last two seasons, the New Jersey native is on pace for a third 2,000 scrimmage yard season, which could propel him higher on Heisman ballots. Although NFL scouts may criticize him for his limited receiving ability and playing behind a great offensive line, there is no denying his open field ability and powerful running style.

J.K. Dobbins

Running Back | 5-10, 217lb | La Grange HS | La Grange, TX | Junior

? @Jkdobbins22 joined some elite company atop the @OhioStateFB rushing leaderboard pic.twitter.com/HmP2Wzt5wY

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 20, 2019

Like Taylor, J.K. Dobbins quickly burst on to the scene in Columbus, putting up a 1,400 yard rushing season as a true freshman. Often in the shadow of Buckeye quarterbacks like Fields, J.T. Barrett, and Dwayne Haskins, Dobbins has finally gotten his chance to shine, especially with Mike Weber no longer on campus. Despite his thick build, the Texan is able to elude defenders with his lateral quickness and juke them. Dobbins also can be relied on as a receiver, often used on screen plays where he can rack up yards after the catch.

Wisconsin at Ohio State Predictions and Odds

Find the latest odds for Wisconsin at Ohio below. The odds are provided by New Jersey sportsbooks bet365 NJ, DraftKings, and Caesars NJ.

Good luck! 

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