The Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Both teams come in red-hot, having won a combined 17 games in a row.
Records:
Ohio State: 11-1 (8-0 Big Ten)
Wisconsin: 10-2 (7-1 Big Ten)
Last Meeting: Ohio State won 31-24 in 2013
Ohio State Outlook: The Buckeyes secured a spot in the Big Ten Championship with an undefeated conference record, but lost quarterback J.T. Barrett for the season with a broken ankle last week.
Ohio State is now down to third-string quarterback Cardale Jones for this game. He has thrown for 111 yards and two touchdowns in limited work this year.
The Buckeyes will likely lean on Ezekiel Elliot now, after the running back rushed for 1,061 yards and eight touchdowns to lead the backfield.
Wisconsin Outlook: The Badgers rode Melvin Gordon to the West division title, as the star running back racked up 2,109 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground.
That helped the offense post the third best rushing yards per game in the country (343.5) and 15th most points (37.5).
The defensive effort should not be overlooked for Wisconsin, as the unit has allowed just 16.8 points per game, good for fifth best in the nation.
What to watch for: Without J.T. Barrett this will be a much different offense for the Buckeyes. With backup Cardale Jones in the game, Ohio State will have an uphill battle trying to put up points against a stout Wisconsin defense.
How much of an impact the loss of Barrett will have can't truly be known until we see this offense on the field, but it will likely prove costly for the Buckeyes.
Prediction:
Ohio State - 23, Wisconsin 28
The Badgers can pull off the upset thanks to a Barrett-less Ohio State team and a swarming defense that should do enough to allow the Wisconsin offense to control this game on the ground.
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