Debriefing: J.T. Barrett Puts the Team on His Back, Nick Bosa Creates Chaos & Rushmen End It

That was fun.

Realistically, not many thought Wisconsin would be successful doing any combination of scoring, moving the ball or stopping Ohio State from scoring and moving the ball. Camp Randall, however, played its voodoo card.

For much of the game, it was role-reversal: Ohio State couldn't move the ball through the air or on the ground, and Wisconsin was dominating the Buckeyes with its offensive attack. Wisconsin looked like the better, more prepared team and Ohio State looked shellshocked.

Thankfully for the Scarlet and Gray, it doesn't matter how you look most of the game. All that matters is the score at the end, and that read 30-23 Buckeyes.

The Short Story

The Buckeyes got punched in the mouth early, looking unprepared, outplayed and outcoached. Ohio State could not stop the Badgers on defense and could barely move the ball on the ground or through the air on offense. Wisconsin had a near-perfect gameplan for the first half, and Buckeyes were in real trouble of losing their first true road game of the Urban Meyer era. But thanks to a dominating third quarter, a resilient quarterback and an unstoppable defensive line, Ohio State pulled out a gutty overtime victory.

Who Earned a Buckeye Leaf?

Offense: J.T. Barrett

Last week, it seemed consensus that Urban Meyer relied on J.T. Barrett far too much in big games and his rushes needed to be much more limited. Initially, I agreed, but I changed my tune in The Roundtable later in the week (don't mind me, just patting myself on the back).

Here's what I said:

If Wisconsin keys on other things and lets J.T. Barrett run, give him 26 carries again. I don't have a problem with Barrett running the ball a lot, I have a problem with him running the ball excessively when it's not working and other things are (read 2015 Michigan State). Against Indiana, Barrett evidently forgot how to throw the football and clearly had lots of room to run, so he took it. Sure, maybe Curtis Samuel or Mike Weber could lighten his load, but if Barrett's legs turn out to be what's working on the road against the nation's No. 8 team, it would be idiotic not to let him win the game in the name of limiting his carries.

It wasn't quite 26 carries, it was 21, but my point was made: I don't mind Barrett carrying the ball a lot. He's a powerful, dangerous runner and I think intentionally limiting his carries when they're working and needed is detrimental to the team.

Despite early offensive struggles, Barrett put the team on his back. He made Heisman-worthy plays, including this one that was quite reminiscent of Braxton Miller's juke touchdown against Penn State, only much more J.T. Barrett-like (slower, less flashy, but just as effective).

Barrett also got it done with his arm when it mattered most. It seemed like Ohio State could not complete a pass all game, but Barrett finished the game with 226 passing yards including this scramble and strike to Curtis Samuel. 

It was far from his best game, but when it mattered most, Barrett delivered. That's what winners do.

Defense: Jerome Baker

Jerome Baker was the workhorse of the linebacking corps Saturday night. He tallied 13 total tackles (8 solo), and recorded 1.5 tackles for a loss. He was swarming to the ball all game and had a key tackle on Wisconsin's Corey Clement on third-down to set up Ohio State's game-winning sack.

Plays of the Game

Offense

Ohio State had problems through the air last week and they seemed to carry over to this week. But for at least one play – arguably the most important play of the night – everything was perfect.

With the first possession in overtime, the Buckeyes found themselves in a 3rd-and-2 situation near the goal-line. Given the team's success on the ground, nearly everybody expected some form of run, be it a designed power run by J.T. Barrett or one of the running backs or some sort of option. Urban Meyer had other ideas.

The Silver Bullets got the stop on the next series and this score ended up being the game-winner.

Defense

Realistically, the defensive play of the game was probably the walk-off sack, but I'm going in a different direction.

With Wisconsin driving late in the game with the score tied, Gareon Conley made a perfect play in man coverage to shut down what could have been a game-changing completion.

Initially, it was called an interception. After review, however, it was ruled that the ball hit the ground and the pass was incomplete.

I'm unconvinced. That's an interception.

Biggest Surprise

For at least half the game, Urban Meyer and his staff looked underprepared and out-coached by Wisconsin. The Buckeyes looked surprisingly bad and the Badgers looked shockingly good.

Wisconsin came out with the perfect game plan, both offensively and defensively, and looked like the better team for much of the game.

Personally, I did not expect the Badgers to have much success in any aspect of this game, so I have to tip my cap here. I was very impressed with what I saw from Wisconsin.

Jim Tressel's Least Favorite Moment

After a long day of birdhouse making, Jim Tressel was ready to unwind in front of the big game Saturday night. He was admittedly excited to watch Wisconsin play, as they're one of the few teams that still utilizes his third-favorite position – fullback.

To his surprise, it was his former team that got him all excited – his Buckeyes were playing patient, conservative football and it was an absolute pleasure to see. By halftime, Tressel's favorite player, Cameron Johnston, was without doubt the team's MVP of the game with his second favorite player, Tyler Durbin, scoring all the team's points. What a world to live in, thought Tressel.

Tressel was late getting back to the game after taking a halftime trip to Bed Bath and Beyond to pick up a new humidifier (the air just gets so dry in the fall), but boy was he excited about what he saw. Ohio State's conservative play-call had worked – the Buckeyes had a chance to kick a field goal and pull within one score of the Badgers late in the third quarter.

4th-and-1 with a chance to bring pull within seven points and would you believe it, Urban Meyer elected to go for it. His wife Ellen flashed him a concerned look, but Tressel gave her a soft smile and said "It's a short distance and a long field goal for a first-year kicker. I don't agree, but I understand."

A few plays later, Ohio State again had a chance to pull within one score. This time they would surely allow Durbin, who had never missed a field goal on the season, to kick it. No, of course not. Urban Meyer sent his offense out again.

Tressel buried his head into the afghan he was covered with and did not look up until a Buckeye touchdown had again legitimized Meyer's reckless decision.

Biggest Blunder

Midway through the quarter, Ohio State had its best chance of the day to punch the ball into the end-zone. On 2nd-and-9 from about the 13 yard-line, Barrett had a wide open James Clark for a sure first down and possible more. Barrett missed him badly and the ball instead found the arms of Wisconsin's D'Cota Dixon.

It may not be all Barrett's fault – this was the only play during about a 30 second monsoon and it's possible the slick ball simply slipped out of his hand.

Honorable Mention Blunder

Shortly after Barrett's interception, the Buckeye defense forced Wisconsin to punt. Dontre Wilson, who evidently studied at the Jalin Marshall school of adventurous kick returns, decided to field the punt on a hop. Only, he forgot to actually haul the ball in and it bounced off his hands.

Somehow, Wilson fought-off about three Badgers and recovered his own fumble, probably due to some strenuous wrestling at the bottom of the pile. If Wisconsin would have recovered, this game may not have ended up in Ohio State's favor.

Underrated Moment

This week, our underrated moment is less of a moment and more of an underrated performance.

Nick Bosa was fantastic on Saturday night, particularly in the first half. From his interior position in Ohio State's rushmen package, Bosa was nearly unblockable and caused chaos in crucial moments.

Bosa's performance, particularly on third down in the first half, played a critical role in keeping the game close until the offense finally found its form. He finished the game with just two tackles and one sack, but his presence was felt by the Wisconsin offense whenever he was on the field.

Bonus Underrated Thing:

We mentioned this already, but I'm talking about it again: it rained poured during exactly one play Saturday night, and it was Barrett's momentum-deflating interception. For longer than I'd like to admit, I believe that to be a sign from above that the Buckeyes were not meant to win that game.

It Was Over When

Four Buckeyes combined for a walk-off sack in overtime. For the first time in a long time, Ohio State did not have victory locked up until the final whistle. What a night.

Just your everyday #basic walk-off sack to win the game in overtime. https://t.co/yt4eIvinfb pic.twitter.com/u0Vwwj7gqX

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 16, 2016

Biggest Question Going Forward

Ohio State still had a heck of a time moving the ball through the air. J.T. Barrett missed a couple open receivers deep (again), and the receivers were struggling to create separation. This was particularly concerning because Wisconsin basically begged Ohio State to throw it all game.

Our resident scheme expert Kyle Jones, who once again had no idea he would be quoted, weighed in on the situation. "Wisconsin does not respect zone 6 at all. (They're) playing tons of man with safeties and linebackers alone on slot wide receivers," Jones said. "ZERO respect for the wide receivers from Wisconsin," he added later.

The Buckeyes seemed to have more success through the air as the game went on (to be fair it couldn't get much worse), but this performance coupled with last week's is unfantastic and leaves room for optimism.

But hey, the Buckeyes won.