College Football Pick: #2 Ohio State Buckeyes at #8 Wisconsin Badgers
In our free pick Ohio State plays Wisconsin. This is a major matchup in the Big Ten. The #2 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0) are 2-0 in the Big Ten East and in second place. The #8 Wisconsin Badgers (4-1) sit in third in the Big Ten West at 1-1. OSU has played one nationally ranked team, beating #14 Oklahoma 45-24. Their last game was against Indiana, a 38-17 win on October 8. Wisconsin’s last game was on October 1. It was a loss to #4 Michigan 14-7. They have beat two ranked clubs, #8 MSU 30-6 and #5 LSU 16-14. The question regarding this game is can the Badgers keep it close against OSU. The Buckeyes are favored at -10.5.
Ohio State
Junior QB J.T. Barrett (64.2 COMP%, 15 TDs, 3 INTs, 3 Sacks) is a solid passer and a good runner. Along with 15 passing touchdowns, he’s scored four rushing TDs while averaging 4.9 YPA. Noah Brown (12 REC, 165 YDs, 13.8 AVG, 5 TDs) tops the pass catchers in touchdowns, while RB Curtis Samuel has the most yards (345) and best average (15 YPA). He has scored three touchdowns as a receiver and three as a running back. Samuel is averaging 8.2 YPA. They are averaging 53.2 PPG.
The Buckeye defense, which has a history for being tough, is allowing just 10.8 PPG. Opposition offenses are being held to under 250 yards per game, which includes 97.8 YPG rushing. Their pass D is also as tough.
Wisconsin
Overall, Wisconsin has played well, averaging 26.0 PPG. That’s quite respectable, but it’s well below the +50 points OSU is averaging. Senior QB Bart Houston (62 COMP%, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 4 Sacks) offers consistency. Junior WR Jazz Peavy (17 REC, 281 YDs, 16.5 AVG, 2 TDs) is his go-to guy. This is a running offenses featuring Senior RB Corey Clement (82 REC, 319 YDs, 3.9 AVG, 5 TDs). Clement is essential to this team’s success. Kicker Rafael Gaglianone has been just about perfect this year.
The Badger D is keeping teams at 12.2 PPG. They have a very tough run defense, which means if they may be able to temper the OSU running game. But they will be challenged when it comes to stopping the Buckeye pass attack.
Free Pick Ohio State Plays Wisconsin
In our free pick Ohio State plays Wisconsin and we certainly expect OSU to win by more than 10.5 points. Thus, take the Buckeyes in this one as they go for 20 straight road wins. The game is tonight at 8 p.m. ET.
Free Pick Ohio State Plays Wisconsin: Ohio State at -10.5 points
