For the first time since 2014, Ohio State has the opportunity to win a Big Ten title, but once again Wisconsin is standing in the way.
The Badgers enter the game undefeated and a win away from making their first appearance in the College Football Playoff, while an Ohio State win leaves the final field of four much more uncertain.
With the biggest game of the year just more than 24 hours away, it's time to get to your questions for the second to last mailbag of the 2017 season.
Pick your poison: Jonathan Taylor or Troy Fumagalli? - Hovenaut
Ohio State has been able to shut down the star running back this season (see Penn State game), but has yet to slow down opposing tight ends. I think the Buckeyes will be able to slow down Taylor, but Fumagalli is a serious weapon over the middle against a linebacker unit that has struggled in pass coverage all season. If you had to pick one to come out of the game, I would take Fumagalli, which is strange to say when talking about a tight end. That is just the kind of season Ohio State has had.
If you're Wisconsin, which OSU weaknesses (though relatively few) in poor performances provide you with the most confidence? Poor tackling/defense, inability to get the offense going, or other? - ChicagoBuckeye10
I think the inability to cover the tight end and inconsistency at the beginning of games on offense are both areas Wisconsin should try to take advantage of early. The Badgers are a team that are going to play keep away on offense and dare you to catch up. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if Wisconsin took a rare shot over the top to open this game to catch Ohio State sleeping.
I haven't watched many (any) Wisco games so should we expect them to try to control the clock and keep our offense off the field? - VegasBuckeye04
Wisconsin football and basketball play the same way. Lull you to sleep, dominate the ball and dare you to get out of your comfort zone as soon as possible to try and force you into a mistake. The game will be decided with who blinks first. Does Wisconsin get away from its ball domination strategy, or does Ohio State try to do too much too soon like it did against Iowa?
Does the indoor setting benefit the Buckeyes? - NOLABuckeye
It definitely doesn't hurt. Both teams are cold-weather teams, but since Wisconsin is likely more physical, the indoor stadium slightly favors Ohio State in my opinion.
Do we go RB-heavy on offense and get 25 carries between the two-headed monster? - SoulPatrol32
If Ohio State does that, it usually wins. I think if Dwayne Haskins is forced into action, Dobbins and Weber will almost definitely combine for 25 carries. If J.T. Barrett plays, you would imagine his carries will be limited, but the temptation to run him has been an issue for Ohio State's offensive play callers in the past.
How many throws will we see toward Arnette/Webb's side of the field this game (i.e. weaker link than Ward/Fuller)? - ISURVIVEDCOOPER
If things are going well for Wisconsin, a lot of the throws will come over the middle, so the corners won't be involved much. I expect it to look a lot like last week's game against Michigan in terms of scheme and how the Badgers will attack offensively.
I would expect Webb to be tested over the middle, but I don't see Ohio State's corners losing many battles on the outside. Wisconsin's pass game will be largely between the hashes.
Are we ever gonna see the two-back set featuring Dobbins and Weber? - MassiveAttack
At this point, I doubt it. I think the Buckeyes have a good thing going with their current rotation and I don't see them changing it. I thought it was something Ohio State would debut at some point this season, but the rotation has worked so well, there might not be a reason to even put that package in this season.
When will Demario McCall get some burn? - The Urban Legend
Next season. I am still shocked they don't use him in the return game. The kid is electric. It would take a number of injuries at running back for Ohio State to play McCall at this point in the season.
Why does it seem the linebackers have taken a step back this season? Coaching or looking ahead to the league? - MDBuckeye2002
I think it is a little bit of both. Bill Davis appears to be this year's version of Tim Beck. Good coach replacing a great coach, and the drop-off has been noticeable.
We obviously need to win convincingly but by how much do we need to win by to get into the playoff? - Thesweatervest1
Ohio State needs a three-score win and some help in my opinion to get in over Alabama. I still think a lot of people are overlooking the 31-point loss to Iowa in this scenario. The Crimson Tide might not have the strongest resume, but they also didn't lose 55-24 to a 7-5 Iowa team, a team that lost by nine to Purdue at home.
How will the departures of Jazz Peavy and George Rushing impact Wisconsin's offensive attack, and could that allow the Buckeyes to commit more attention to Fumagalli? - BUCKEYE3M
I think the injury to Quintez Cephus is the biggest wide receiver loss for Wisconsin. Cephus was the Badgers' leading receiver at the time of his injury, and was a true one-on-one downfield threat. Without him, I think the Badgers will struggle to push the ball downfield, at least outside the hash marks.
