Written by Garin Turner
The time for talking is over, as a potential spot in the College Football Playoff is on the line as the No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers (12-0, 9-0 Big 10) take on No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2, 8-1 Big 10) in Indianapolis with the Big Ten Championship on the line. The game starts at 7PM CST on FOX.
For the Badgers, winning this game will finally silence the critics saying that they haven't played anybody this year and that they don't deserve to be in the College Football Playoff. Comments such as, "Alabama would probably beat the breaks off of Wisconsin," made earlier today on ESPN's First Take by Tim Tebow are just some of the many things that the Badgers have been hearing all year. It's the same Alabama team that played Mercer two weeks ago.
The Badgers have back-to-back wins against teams that were ranked at the time they played them. They defeated then ranked No. 20 Iowa by a score of 38-14. Iowa had severely damaged the Buckeyes chances of a College Football Playoff berth a week prior. The Badgers then followed that up with a 24-10 victory over the then ranked No. 24 Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines have struggled on offense this year but their defense is among the best in the nation.
The stage will not be too big for the Badgers as this is the fifth time in seven years that they've played in the Big Ten Championship game. A win here would make it the 15th time they’ve won the championship and the first time since 2012. Wisconsin has never trailed in the fourth quarter in a game this season, the only team to do so. They are also one of the last two undefeated teams. The other being No. 12 UCF (11-0).
For Wisconsin, it all starts with the running game. Heisman Trophy candidate and Doak Walker Award finalist Jonathon Taylor, a freshman running back leads the Big Ten in rushing. Taylor has 1.806 yards on 258 carries and 13 touchdowns which leads the nation for freshmen. Taylor also has rushed for 100 yards nine out of twelve games and has had three 200-yard rushing games.
As much as the Badgers would love to control the game on the ground, quarterback Alex Hornibrook will have to make some plays against the Buckeyes. This might be the best defense that Wisconsin has played this year and they will most likely try to stack the box. Hornibrook is 156 of 244 for 2,157 yards and 21 touchdowns against 13 interceptions on the season.
The Buckeyes will have a shot at being in the Playoff with a win. However, Alabama might benefit the most from a Buckeye win. The Buckeyes could very well need one of the other teams currently ranked in the top four (Clemson, Auburn, and Oklahoma) to lose in order for them to potentially get in. It will be interesting to say the least to see what the committee does, as they could very well choose to put the winners of each game in that spot. The Buckeyes have overcome losses to Oklahoma and Iowa to get to this point.
The biggest question for the Buckeyes is the health of their quarterback J.T. Barrett, who was injured last week in their victory over Michigan 31-20. If he can't go as head coach Urban Meyer said Barrett will be a game time decision, freshman quarterback Dwayne Haskins will get the start. Haskins has four touchdowns and one interception with 565 yards passing. The game shouldn't be too big for him as Meyer has a next man up mentality. If Barrett is ready to go, look for him to be more pass first as he'll look to avoid reinjuring his leg. On the year, Barrett is 217 of 328 for 2,728 yards and 33 touchdowns versus seven interceptions. Most of those interceptions came against Iowa.
The Buckeyes are dangerous on the ground as well. Running backs J.K. Dobbins, Barrett, and Mike Weber have given opponents fits all year long. Dobbins has 164 carries for 1,190 yards and seven scores. Barrett has carried the ball 130 times which is good for 672 yards and nine touchdowns. Weber has 92 carries for 602 yards and 10 touchdowns, which leads the team.
The winner of this game has a good shot of making the CFP. It's more of a lock if Wisconsin wins. If the Buckeyes win, depending on how the other games go, the Big Ten might be left out of the CFP. The loser of this game will most likely go to the Orange Bowl, which isn't a bad "consolation" but both teams would rather be playing for a potential National Championship.
Here is the schedule for Sunday's bowl selection show.
Selection Day coverage on Dec. 3
(All times ET)
• 9 a.m.-noon: Championship Drive Presented by Northwestern Mutual (ESPN2)
• Noon-4 p.m.: College Football Playoff Selection Show Presented by AT&T (ESPN)
• 6 p.m.-8 p.m.: SEC Now: Bowl Special (SEC Network)
• 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: Championship Drive Presented By Capital One (ESPN2)
• 8:30 p.m.-11 p.m.: Championship Drive: Who's In Presented by Capital One (ESPN)
For the Badgers, winning this game will finally silence the critics saying that they haven't played anybody this year and that they don't deserve to be in the College Football Playoff. Comments such as, "Alabama would probably beat the breaks off of Wisconsin," made earlier today on ESPN's First Take by Tim Tebow are just some of the many things that the Badgers have been hearing all year. It's the same Alabama team that played Mercer two weeks ago.
The Badgers have back-to-back wins against teams that were ranked at the time they played them. They defeated then ranked No. 20 Iowa by a score of 38-14. Iowa had severely damaged the Buckeyes chances of a College Football Playoff berth a week prior. The Badgers then followed that up with a 24-10 victory over the then ranked No. 24 Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines have struggled on offense this year but their defense is among the best in the nation.
The stage will not be too big for the Badgers as this is the fifth time in seven years that they've played in the Big Ten Championship game. A win here would make it the 15th time they’ve won the championship and the first time since 2012. Wisconsin has never trailed in the fourth quarter in a game this season, the only team to do so. They are also one of the last two undefeated teams. The other being No. 12 UCF (11-0).
For Wisconsin, it all starts with the running game. Heisman Trophy candidate and Doak Walker Award finalist Jonathon Taylor, a freshman running back leads the Big Ten in rushing. Taylor has 1.806 yards on 258 carries and 13 touchdowns which leads the nation for freshmen. Taylor also has rushed for 100 yards nine out of twelve games and has had three 200-yard rushing games.
As much as the Badgers would love to control the game on the ground, quarterback Alex Hornibrook will have to make some plays against the Buckeyes. This might be the best defense that Wisconsin has played this year and they will most likely try to stack the box. Hornibrook is 156 of 244 for 2,157 yards and 21 touchdowns against 13 interceptions on the season.
The Buckeyes will have a shot at being in the Playoff with a win. However, Alabama might benefit the most from a Buckeye win. The Buckeyes could very well need one of the other teams currently ranked in the top four (Clemson, Auburn, and Oklahoma) to lose in order for them to potentially get in. It will be interesting to say the least to see what the committee does, as they could very well choose to put the winners of each game in that spot. The Buckeyes have overcome losses to Oklahoma and Iowa to get to this point.
The biggest question for the Buckeyes is the health of their quarterback J.T. Barrett, who was injured last week in their victory over Michigan 31-20. If he can't go as head coach Urban Meyer said Barrett will be a game time decision, freshman quarterback Dwayne Haskins will get the start. Haskins has four touchdowns and one interception with 565 yards passing. The game shouldn't be too big for him as Meyer has a next man up mentality. If Barrett is ready to go, look for him to be more pass first as he'll look to avoid reinjuring his leg. On the year, Barrett is 217 of 328 for 2,728 yards and 33 touchdowns versus seven interceptions. Most of those interceptions came against Iowa.
The Buckeyes are dangerous on the ground as well. Running backs J.K. Dobbins, Barrett, and Mike Weber have given opponents fits all year long. Dobbins has 164 carries for 1,190 yards and seven scores. Barrett has carried the ball 130 times which is good for 672 yards and nine touchdowns. Weber has 92 carries for 602 yards and 10 touchdowns, which leads the team.
The winner of this game has a good shot of making the CFP. It's more of a lock if Wisconsin wins. If the Buckeyes win, depending on how the other games go, the Big Ten might be left out of the CFP. The loser of this game will most likely go to the Orange Bowl, which isn't a bad "consolation" but both teams would rather be playing for a potential National Championship.
Here is the schedule for Sunday's bowl selection show.
Selection Day coverage on Dec. 3
(All times ET)
• 9 a.m.-noon: Championship Drive Presented by Northwestern Mutual (ESPN2)
• Noon-4 p.m.: College Football Playoff Selection Show Presented by AT&T (ESPN)
• 6 p.m.-8 p.m.: SEC Now: Bowl Special (SEC Network)
• 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: Championship Drive Presented By Capital One (ESPN2)
• 8:30 p.m.-11 p.m.: Championship Drive: Who's In Presented by Capital One (ESPN)