The last time Ohio State and Wisconsin got together to battle it out for a Big Ten Championship the Buckeyes were on their third string quarterback as JT Barrett broke his ankle against Michigan in the final game of the regular season. The Buckeyes only threw the ball 17 times that day but backup to the backup, Cardale Jones completed 12 of those 17 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns leading Ohio State to a 59-0 waxing of Wisconsin in the 2014 Big Ten Championship.
JT Barrett almost found himself in the same situation as 2014.
Barrett had surgery this past Sunday, a day after a cameraman hit him while warming up before Michigan. JT was able to play most of the game against Michigan until re-injuring his knee on a third quarter run. JT allegedly re-aggravated a meniscus issue he had been having and had it cleaned up arthroscopically.
When asked about whether the Buckeye signal caller will be able to play head coach Urban Meyer said, “He’s been cleared to play so he’s going to play in the game. He’ll practice today and be ready to go.”
“Whoever’s out there I feel confident,” Buckeye wide receiver Terry Mclaurin said. “I know the competitor JT is that he’s going to do whatever it takes to play in this game.”
Regardless of who is behind center the Buckeyes will have to have all hands-on deck against the Wisconsin Badgers.
The Badgers are the only undefeated team left from the power five conference and boasts one of the nations best defenses and a freshman running back, Jonathan Taylor, who leads the Big Ten in rushing. Anyone that follows Wisconsin football isn’t surprised by what the Badgers are bringing on Saturday night.
“They’re, I can’t tell you the exact ranking, but I think they’re No.1 in everything,” Meyer said. “And very good skilled athletes… Giant offensive linemen in Wisconsin. And obviously a very good challenge against an elite running back.”
Along with having the Big Ten’s leading rusher, the Badgers give up the fewest rushing yards (80.5), total yards (236.9), and points per game (12.0) in the conference.
It’s those workman like stats that really embody Wisconsin football.
The Badgers are looking at this game like any other game, and for Wisconsin that’s not just coach speak.
“We’ve obviously played in the Big Ten Championship, obviously,” Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook said. “But with the implications after this game, it’s probably a little bit bigger.”
It’s safe to say at No.4 in the nation and a spot in the Playoff at risk, yeah, for the Badgers it’s a little bit bigger.
But the Buckeyes may have more at stake than a Big Ten Championship as well.
After the most recent rankings the Buckeyes find themselves at No.8 in the nation. But more important is where Wisconsin and Alabama are.
Without a game left to play and no conference championship Alabama sits at No.5 with Wisconsin at No.4. If the Buckeyes can take care of business Saturday night it will give them a win over the No.4 team in the nation which will be their second top ten win, plus a conference championship. None of which Alabama has on their resume.
Despite Ohio State having an outside shot at the playoffs, they know that only one thing is guaranteed Saturday night.
“You can’t really worry about the playoffs,” Buckeye linebacker Chris Worley said. “Our message has been beat Wisconsin. Our message has been do what you can to win the game that week.”
What: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Wisconsin Badgers for the Big Ten Championship
When: December 2, 2017 at 8:00 PM ET
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch: FOX
Spread: OSU -6
Over/Under: 51
Money Line: OSU -225, Wisc +220
