Beware of Wisconsin Drunks in the Wild. (If anyone can find a link to the Drunk Badger Guy from this same broadcast, please let me know)
For the past two weeks or so we’ve been hearing about the college football players dropping to the flu. This week however, it appears that the virus is starting to take its toll at Ohio State. The Columbus Dispatch is reporting this morning that the offensive line in particular has been hit hard.
According to the Dispatch, offensive linemen Justin Boren and Jake Ballard both missed practice yesterday (Wed) and Andrew Miller has been out all week due to illness. Mike Adams was back after being out sick on Tuesday. Offensive coach Jim Bollman told the Dispatch that it’s difficult to know who’s in and who’s out as the illness works it’s way though the offensive line.
This comes at a tough time as the Buckeyes prepare for Wisconsin this week. Wisconsin’s defensive front has the ability to give the Buckeyes a hassle. On the other hand, I think the Ohio State offensive line has done much better then expected. They performed well against USC and haven’t been challenged since. The shuffling of the offensive line throughout the season has also helped develop the depth needed to fill in as illness attacks the team.
Apparently, Wisconsin has also had their struggles with the flu. A reporter at Tuesday’s presser mentioned that Wisconsin had 40 guys with flu symptoms at one point.
Spread’s at 16!
Apparently, the boys in Vegas think the Buckeyes will handle the Badgers without too much trouble. While I tend to think this will be a much closer game, there’s reason to believe that the Bucks can get it done.
The key to stopping Wisconsin Saturday will be stopping John Clay. Wisconsin will give the ball to him over and over again. However, the Buckeye D has done a great job stopping the run so far this year (other then that one, fateful drive) keeping opponents to less then 100 yards per game. It will be a very physical battle and defensive endurance will become an issue. Stopping 3rd down conversions and keeping the offense off the field will go a long way in this game.
On the offensive side, this will be another test of Pyror’s maturity and decision making ability. Wisconsin’s O’Brien Schofield has the speed to give Pryor a run for the money. However, so did the USC defense to whom the Buckeyes held up respectively. The Buckeye secondary has the talent to get past Badger defenders. The offensive line needs to give Pryor the time he needs and Pryor needs to make right decisions under pressure. A couple of turnovers against Indiana are one thing, against Wisconsin?
If the Bucks can shut down the run and Pryor plays smart, Ohio State can beat the spread. Personally, I’m keeping my money in my pocket on this one.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m confused… Wisconsin and Penn State haven’t played yet this year. Did you mean Minnesota? The last time (and only time) a Daryll Clark led Penn State team played the Badgers, it was last season. I think it was like a 48-7 win or something fo Penn State, and Clark absolutely shredded Wiscy.
Uhm…yeah…I meant something like that…
Better go back and fix that huh. I’m pretty sure I know what I meant to say.
ha ha, that’s cool! i agree with you though, i don’t see a 16+ point victory this saturday. wiscy always plays the buckeyes tough. yeah, i guess you have that 2007 game where we won by three touchdowns; it was still a close game until Beanie took over late in the third.
regardless — i have tickets to this game, i’m ridiculously jacked up and i will, at all cost, avoid the intoxicated badger fans!
I’ll be there with you in spirit. It’s going to be a great game.
Those badgers do have a strange mating ritual though.
I can see why they are not rated at 5 and 0, they haven’t played anyone. Just sqeeked by michigan state the gophers. Defense gave up alot of points. I’m looking for the typical Badger team that big and physical on the line but can’t stop the pass and if you break contain you can take it to the house. I think all the Buckeyes have to do is shut down the run and the game should be over. They never have much of a passing game, so a little pressure on the QB and it’s a long day for Wisconson. This is still football and why we play the game on any given day and all that crap.
I’m gonna agree with others here and say 16 points is a huge spread for Wisconsin. I’m looking around 10. Hate to hear about the flu and the O-Line. Both lines for Wisconsin are big and strong, as usual. Buckeye D stops the run, and that’s the whole key. Go Bucks!!!