The last time Ohio State and Wisconsin played was for the Big Ten title.
On Saturday, the two teams will meet again. No conference crown is on the line this time, but there's a whole lot else at stake for this pair of top-10 teams.
Both still have hopes of making a return trip to Indianapolis to play for in this year's version of the Big Ten championship game. Both also want to remain in the hunt for the College Football Playoff.
The Buckeyes have not played in Madison since 2012. Head coach Urban Meyer was in his first season then and, now in his fifth in Columbus, he knows what's coming Saturday night in primetime.
“The laser-like focus to win a game against a very good team, on the road, it better be laser-like focus on the task at hand,” Meyer said this week. “That's just constant reminders about focus on your job description. That's for the players as well as the coaches, as well as the head coach.”
Let's dive a little deeper and look at some numbers and storylines that might just help us determine the outcome of No. 2 Ohio State at No. 8 Wisconsin.
Urban Meyer is 19-0 in true road games at Ohio State
The Buckeyes only have four losses under Meyer since his arrival in Columbus, but none of those have come in these true road environments. That's pretty remarkable when you think about it and Ohio State already has one road win this season — a 45-24 dismantling of Oklahoma back on Sept. 17.
Camp Randall is one of college football's best atmospheres, however, and the Badgers certainly play well there, particularly at night. According to FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman, in top-10 matchups at Camp Randall...
Wisconsin is 7-2 and has won six-straight games
So, the Badgers don't lose much at home and Meyer has yet to lose on the road at Ohio State. Something will give Saturday night.
This game features a contrast in styles as Ohio State's offense, though a spread, is one of the nation's top rushing attacks. The Badgers' defense, however, is among the nation's best at stopping the run.
The Buckeyes rank third in the country as...
Ohio State averages 323.6 rushing yards per game
The three-headed monster of quarterback J.T. Barrett, running back Mike Weber and H-back Curtis Samuel is a handful for all opposing defenses. Ohio State spreads you out but can run inside or outside and Barrett is as effective as any quarterback in the country in the read-option game.
Wisconsin's defense has been stout all season, though, particularly in the run game as...
The Badgers only allow 90.4 rushing yards per game
That's good for No. 7 in the country. Look for the Badgers to load up the box and force Barrett to try and beat them with his arm.
It should be a great college football game Saturday night in one of the sport's top environments. Ohio State and Wisconsin are two of the Big Ten's top programs and whenever the two teams square off it's usually a closely contested game.
The Buckeyes won the last meeting, however, 59-0, and...
Ohio State has won seven of its last eight games against Wisconsin
The Badgers lone win came in 2010 when the Buckeyes were the No. 1 team in the country. Ohio State is currently ranked second; what does Saturday have in store?
