Expert Ohio State football predictions for Wisconsin game
After beating No. 7 Penn State at home 20-12 Saturday, the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes are heading back out on the road for a meeting with Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Ohio State last played Wisconsin in Madison during the 2016 season, beating the Badgers 30-23.
Here is what the writers at The Columbus Dispatch and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel predict for Saturday's game:
Bill Rabinowitz
Ohio State beat writer
The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State 41, Wisconsin 14
A night game in Madison can be imposing, but the Badgers are in transition to a new philosophy under Luke Fickell and are finding their way. Losing starting QB Tanner Mordecai to a broken hand doesn't help. Especially if OSU gets offensive reinforcements back, the Buckeyes should win comfortably.
Joey Kaufman
Ohio State beat writer
The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State 30, Wisconsin 14
This has the makings of a potential trap game for Ohio State. It’s a week after a hard-fought win over Penn State, a juncture on the schedule that has led to emotional letdowns by the Buckeyes in previous years, and the scene at Camp Randall Stadium will be uninviting. Factor in the Badgers continue to be tough on defense, even amid their makeover on the offensive side of the ball, and it won’t be a runaway victory for Ohio State against Luke Fickell’s upset-minded bunch.
Rob Oller
Sports columnist
The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State 38, Wisconsin 13
Before the season I thought this was a game the Buckeyes could lose because a) Camp Randall Stadium is no picnic, especially at night; b) Luke Fickell would have his team pumped to play against his alma mater; c) OSU has struggled against smash-mouth offenses like Wisconsin. But things have changed, because ABC to Z Ohio State is simply that much better than the Badgers, who won't be able to muster an offensive game plan than puts a scare into the Buckeyes vastly-improved defense.
Colin Gay
Real-time reporter
The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State 35, Wisconsin 13
Wisconsin has not seen a team like Ohio State. Even when the Badgers had quarterback Tanner Mordecai healthy, it struggled against top defenses such as Iowa, which allowed 237 yards, two field goals and no touchdowns. And in the Badgers' comeback win against Illinois, the offense didn't really pick up steam until the fourth quarter. In at atmosphere like Camp Randall Stadium, a slow Ohio State start should be expected. But this is not the Badger team that should compete with the Buckeyes.
Jeff Potrykus
Wisconsin beat writer
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
● Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 14
Ohio State’s offense isn’t as efficient or as explosive as it was last season when the Buckeyes embarrassed Wisconsin 52-21 in Columbus. However, Jim Knowles’ defense appears better overall. Luke Fickell’s first UW team rallied for a critical victory last week at Illinois but the Illini aren’t in Ohio State’s league. UW lacks playmakers on defense and its offense has started slowly in too many games this season. Ohio State remains unbeaten.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football predictions vs. Wisconsin
