The Ohio State Buckeyes have made it in to the Big 10 Championship for the second year in a row and are fighting for the last BCS playoff spot. And, for the second year in a row, they are the underdogs. Why you ask? Because their opponent, the Wisconsin Badgers, have one of the best running backs in college football, Melvin Gordon, waiting to tear the Buckeyes defense apart.
The other potential issue is the injury of J.T. Barrett, who went down with a broken ankle against Michigan last Saturday. Barrett was truly the MVP of the Buckeyes offense so now the Bucks will have to go with sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones. But don't be surprised to see a lot of H back Jalin Marshall behind center as well as running back Ezekiel Elliot, who himself is having a fantastic season.
Back to Wisconsin's Gordon, he looks to rip through a defense that has looked sloppy over the past few weeks. The only way for the Bucks to stop him is to stack the box and have Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave beat them with his arm. But even that probably won't stop Gordon from decimating Joey Bosa and the defensive line.
My take: watch out for Jalin Marshall. The kid has an arm and can be a huge surprise for the Badgers. Don't discount what Cardale Jones and Ezekiel Elliot can do with their feet as well. I expect a very high scoring game.
Prediction: sadly, Melvin Gordon will prove to be too much for the Bucks paper thin defense. Wisconsin by 10.
What: #5 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) vs. #13 Wisconsin Badgers (10-2) at the Big 10 Championship Game
Where: Lucas Oil Field, Indianapolis, IN
Time: 8 PM EST
TV: Fox
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