COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State football coach Ryan Day said Saturday’s trip to Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium will be his first.
Perhaps he will end up enjoying the experience more than some of his predecessors. The Buckeyes’ last trip to Madison came in 2016, one year before Day arrived. Urban Meyers’ squad needed overtime to escape with a 30-23 victory.
The last visit before that came in 2012 — also an overtime win for OSU. In 2010, Wisconsin pulled away with the win, 31-18. The most “comfortable” road win at Wisconsin in the past 20 years was a three-point victory in 2008.
Ohio State has won the last nine meetings, though, including 52-21 last season at Ohio Stadium. We made our picks for Saturday’s game against DraftKings’ line of the Buckeyes as 14.5-point favorites, with a point total over/under of 45.5.
Nathan Baird
Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 13
With all due respect to Braelon Allen, I cannot predict that Wisconsin will consistently move the ball against a defense playing this well. The Buckeyes have allowed eight touchdowns in seven games. Maybe if original starting quarterback Tanner Mordecai were healthy, the Badgers could summon more of a threat. I think their ground game can control the clock, but if Ohio State’s offense is truly healthier than it has been in weeks, that’s too much for Luke Fickell’s group to keep up with.
Game pick: Ohio State -14.5 (8 Buckeye Talk Tokens wagered)
Over/under: Under 45.5 (6 BTT)
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Andrew Gillis
Ohio State 30, Wisconsin 13
This feels like a game where Wisconsin is going to try and drag Ohio State down — and with a talented offensive line, and a great running back in Braelon Allen, the Badgers will certainly have the chance to do just that.
The Buckeyes are coming off a massive win over Penn State and now have a direct shot to the final week of the regular season to head to Ann Arbor 11-0. That, paired with the atmosphere in Madison, feels like the perfect recipe for a letdown for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes will still win by multiple scores, but it’ll come a bit uglier than people think. The Badgers’ defense is talented, and while I don’t believe they’ll be able to do much of anything offensively, it’ll remain, at least on the scoreboard, a game with the outcome in doubt into the second half.
Game pick: Ohio State -14.5 (3 BTT)
Over/under: Under 45.5 (15 BTT)
Stephen Means
Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 10
Ohio State’s road to victory is shutting down Braelon Allen in the run game, which it has proven it is capable of doing, given that only two running backs have had over 50 yards against it this season. Purdue’s Devin Mockobee had 110 yards on 18 carries while Notre Dame’s Audric Estime had 70 yards on 14 carries. Everyone else has struggled against a defense allowing just 3.01 yards per carry.
Mix what might be another impressive defensive performance with an offense expected to get back some big weapons and you get a one-sided game much like last year. The Buckeyes haven’t shown the ability to be a 40-point offense yet this season. But their defense has shown that it might not be necessary. That’s even more emphasized in a week when they’re playing a team with an one-dimensional offense and relying on its backup quarterback.
Game pick: Ohio State -14.5 (15 BTT)
Over/under: Under 45.5 (5 BTT)
Week 8 results/season update
NATHAN BAIRD
Previous bankroll: 93.64
Game pick: Penn State +4.5 LOST
Over/under: Under 45 WIN +7.27
Season record: 2-3-2 ATS, 4-3-0 O/U
New bankroll: 93.91
ANDREW GILLIS
Previous bankroll: 108.38
Game pick: Penn State +4.5 LOST
O/U: Under 45 WIN +4.55
Season record: 2-3-2 ATS, 5-2-0 O/U
New bankroll: 107.93
STEPHEN MEANS
Previous bankroll: 90.64
Game pick: Ohio State -4.5 WIN +0.91
O/U: Under 45 WIN +3.64
Season record: 3-2-2 ATS, 3-4-0 O/U
New bankroll: 95.19
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