Badgers Take On Ohio State this Weekend

By Jackson Badgers | Posted Thursday, October 27

After the Badgers performance last weekend, it would be foolish to dismiss their upcoming opponent. The Ohio State Buckeyes are certainly worthy contenders. The Buckeyes are playing with a true freshman behind the ball and a first year coach on the sidelines, but don't doubt it for one second that they don’t remember what happened at Camp Randall last year.

The Buckeyes go into this weekend’s game with a 4-3 record, 1-2 in the conference, and are an un-ranked team for the first time since 1994. Last year, they came to Camp Randall as the top team in the nation. Their fall from the top isn't making Brett Bielema any less cautious. The Badgers head coach knows that it won't be a cake-walk in Columbus. They are facing a team that has won six consecutive Big Ten titles. Despite the recent scandal, Bielema sees his opponent as a team that is getting better as the 2011 season progresses.

Luke Fickell Takes Over for Tressel

Ohio's former assistant, Luke Fickell, took over the head coaching spot after his predecessor Jim Tressel was forced to resign. Fickell's first order of business was to fill the quarterback position vacated by the now Oakland Raider, Terrelle Pryor. This newly minted head coach decided to go with senior Joe Bauserman who started the first three games. Bauserman completed fifty percent of passes with zero interceptions. His downfall was as a result of the Buckeyes 24-6 loss to Miami during week four. Bauserman threw for just thirteen yards, with two out of fourteen attempts connecting.

Presumably the run game will be Ohio's main weapon against the Badgers. Considering that Wisconsin has one of the top five pass defenses in the country, it would be hard to imagine the inexperienced quarterback taking many chances.