For the third time in four seasons, Wisconsin is set to invade Indianapolis with the Big Ten title on the line, but is still looking for its first win in that span.
The Buckeyes return for the first time since 2014, when they routed the Badgers 59-0 on their way to a national title game.
Both teams look similar in terms of their style of play on both offense and defense, especially the Badgers, who rely on a power run game offensively and have a tendency to stuff opponents on the ground defensively.
The Badgers also enter the Big Ten title game with a perfect record, having won all 12 of their games this season.
Offense (Pro)
Quarterback: Alex Hornibrook (No. 12) 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, sophomore
Strengths:
- Experience. While he is just a sophomore, Hornibrook has taken plenty of snaps as a Badger already. He led Wisconsin to a near upset of Ohio State in Madison a season ago.
- Is helped by play action fakes in the passing game.
Weaknesses:
- Does not have a strong arm. Hornibrook has struggled to push the ball downfield in his career to this point.
- Struggles to protect the football. Threw at least one interception in nine of 12 games this season.
Running back: Johnathan Taylor (No. 23) 5-foot-11, 214 pounds, freshman / Fullback Austin Ramesh (No. 20) 6-foot-1, 255 pounds, senior
Strengths:
- Taylor is the likely winner of the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He leads the Big Ten in carries (258) and rushing yards (1,806).
- Taylor runs extremely well behind his pads and has good breakaway speed as well.
- Ramesh is a threat to run the ball near the goal line. He scored for Wisconsin last season against Ohio State.
Weaknesses:
- Neither Taylor or Ramesh have proven to be threats out of the backfield in the passing game this season, combining for just five catches between them.
Wide receivers: Danny Davis III (No. 6) 6-foot, 186 pounds, freshman / A.J. Taylor (No. 4) 5-foot-11, 202 pounds, sophomore / Tight end Troy Fumagalli (No. 81) 6-foot-6, 248 pounds, senior
Strengths:
- Fumagalli is arguably not just the best tight end in the Big Ten, but perhaps college football. Twice, he has led the Badgers in receiving, including this season, in which he has tallied 38 receptions for 471 yards and four scores.
- Davis and Taylor have flashed this season and have 39 receptions between them, each showing good speed.
Weaknesses:
- The Badgers lost leading receiver Quintez Cephus to a season ending injury in early November. Jazz Peavy, who had a big game against Ohio State last year, is also taking time away from the team, leaving Wisconsin with little depth at wide receiver.
- Neither Davis or Taylor have overwhelming size, which could make it difficult for them to win one-on-one matchups against Ohio State's corners.
Offensive line: LT Michael Deiter (No. 63) 6-foot-6, 328 pounds, junior / LG Jon Dietzen (No. 67) 6-foot-6, 336 pounds, sophomore / C Tyler Biadasz (No. 61) 6-foot-3, 316 pounds, redshirt freshman / RG Beau Benzschawel (No. 66) 6-foot-6, 317 pounds, junior / RT David Edwards (No. 79) 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, sophomore
Strengths:
- This will be without question the biggest offensive line Ohio State has faced this season, with each lineman weighing in at or over 315 pounds.
- In addition to a stellar run game, this unit leads the Big Ten in fewest sacks allowed, surrendering just 17 all season.
Weaknesses:
- This unit starts three underclassmen that have been seriously tested just once all year, against Michigan's defensive line. In that game, the Badgers allowed three sacks to the Wolverines but still rushed for 182 yards.
Overall analysis: For years, Wisconsin has remained loyal to who it is. There will be no difference on Saturday night in Indianapolis.
The Badgers are going to run the ball and do whatever they can to not have to put the game in the hands of Hornibrook. When Wisconsin has to put the game in the hands of its quarterback, bad things usually happen (Russell Wilson isn't walking through those doors). Taylor provides Wisconsin with a reliable running back, capable of carrying the ball 30 times if needed. If this offensive line gets rolling downfield, there isn't much outside of a turnover that will stop them. However, they have yet to face a defensive line with the depth that Ohio State has, and this game will be won at the line of scrimmage.
Defense (3-4)
Defensive line: DE Alec James (No. 57) 6-foot-3, 272 pounds, senior / NT Olive Sagapolu (No. 99) 6-foot-2, 346 pounds, junior / DE Conor Sheehy (No. 94) 6-foot-4, 293 pounds, senior
Strengths:
- This unit does a great job of taking up blocks so that Wisconsin's linebackers can make plays in opposing backfields. Sagapolu's stats don't jump off the page, but his size makes him difficult to block one-on-one.
- James is the statistical leader of this group, tallying seven tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks on the season.
Weaknesses:
- Sheehy is more of a run-stopper than a pass-rusher at his end spot. He isn't much of a threat to get to the quarterback in passing situations.
Linebackers: OLB Garret Dooley (No. 5) 6-foot-3, 246 pounds, senior / ILB Ryan Connelly (No. 43) 6-foot-3, 228 pounds, junior / ILB T.J. Edwards (No. 53) 6-foot-1, 244 pounds, junior / OLB Leon Jacobs (No. 32) 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, senior
Strengths:
- Dooley is the most dangerous of this group. In the 3-4 defense, Dooley is usually the fourth person the Badgers bring on a blitz. Dooley leads Wisconsin in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (11).
- With Dooley usually rushing into the backfield, it has been Connelly and Edwards cleaning up the rest. The duo rank as the top two on the team in total tackles and have been solid in the run game.
- Edwards has been outstanding in pass coverage this season and is tied for the team lead in interceptions with four.
Weaknesses:
- There aren't many weaknesses in this unit, as the linebackers are the strength of the Badger defense. Ohio State might be able to catch them being over-aggressive, however, with screens or draw plays.
Defensive backs: CB Derrick Tindal (No. 25) 5-foot-11, 181 pounds, senior / SS D'Cota Dixon (No. 14) 5-foot-10, 204 pounds, junior / FS Natrell Jamerson (No. 12) 6-foot, 198 pounds, senior / CB Nick Nelson (No. 11) 5-foot-11, 208 pounds, junior
Strengths:
- One of the more experienced groups on Wisconsin's defense.
- A two-year starter, Tindal is the better cover corner of the two, as teams have thrown at Nelson more this season. Nelson leads the team in pass breakups with 20.
- Nickel cornerback Joe Ferguson is tied for the team lead in interceptions with four despite not being a regular starter.
Weaknesses:
- This unit has not been tested by a solid quarterback all season. The top two quarterbacks the Badgers have faced are Tanner Lee (Nebraska) and Clayton Thorson (Northwestern).
Overall analysis: Much like their offense, the Badgers defense has not changed its identity in years. They are going to play a physical, smash mouth brand of football and dare you to throw the football and force you into mistakes.
The problem with scouting Wisconsin is that while the stats look great and the players have looked to be flying all over the field, they haven't gone against an elite program all season. The Badgers have played just one team currently ranked in the top-25 this season, and they beat Northwestern by just nine at home early in the season.
Special Teams
Kicker: Rafael Gaglianone (No. 27) 5-foot-11, 232 pounds, junior
Punter: Anthony Lotti (No. 15) 6-foot, 191 pounds, sophomore
Analysis: Gaglianone has been ultra reliable for the Badgers this season after missing the majority of last season due to injury. He has converted on 12-of-14 kicks with a long of 52. Should the game come down to a field goal scenario, head coach Paul Chryst likely won't have any hesitation to send in Gaglianone, especially in a domed stadium.
Lotti has attempted 43 punts this season and is averaging just under 40 yards per boot. He has downed opponents inside the 20-yard line on 20 occasions and has seven punts of more than 50 yards.
