Ohio State marches into Camp Randall Stadium with an offense that has scored 33.7 points per game, which is less than expected from a Ryan Day-led team. That number is including two games against top 10 teams, and the Buckeyes were able to put up 20 points on one of the best defenses in the country last week against Penn State.
The Wisconsin defense is 20th in the country in scoring defense, giving up only 18.3 points per game. Kyle McCord said they are going into the game ready to face a tough fight with the Badgers defense.
“Coach Fickell has got them playing really well,” McCord said. “Obviously, he has a great track record, regardless of where he’s been, there’s been a good defense there. And they’re super well coached, you can see that on film. They have a good scheme on top of that, and they play hard. That’s the biggest thing. Those guys bring it every single play.”
It’s going to be colder in Madison than this year’s Buckeye team has played in with the forecast looking to be under 40 degrees for the 7:30 kickoff. There shouldn’t be any rain or much wind, but the cold is still a condition McCord has not had to deal with as a starter.
The run game should be as healthy as it has been in weeks with TreVeyon Henderson returning according to Day, and he will be a full-go against the Badgers. If the passing game has trouble getting going, the Buckeyes do have a more explosive option in Henderson available to them now.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is coming off of another performance of more than 150 yards, and the Buckeyes offense will likely try to revolve around him again in Madison. Day said they are still trying to find every way possible they can get him the ball.
“We have to constantly be creative and find ways to do that,” he said. “That’s our challenge week in and week out. The more efficient we can be in other areas, the less pressure you it puts on Marv. I know that we have to do a better job of taking pressure off of him but at the same time we’re going to try to find as many ways as we can get him the ball.”
