{"id":231610,"date":"2025-10-17T13:41:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T13:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/231610\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T13:41:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T13:41:10","slug":"ohio-state-vs-wisconsin-preview-domination-expected-as-ohio-state-aims-to-clean-up-running-game-in-madison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/231610\/","title":{"rendered":"Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Preview: Domination Expected As Ohio State Aims to Clean Up Running Game in Madison"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\"First<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\tPresented by First Bank of Central Ohio\n\t<\/p>\n

\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t2-4\n\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOct. 18, 2025\u00a0– 3:30 P.m. ET\n\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tCamp Randall Stadium\n\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tMadison, WI\n\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tOhio State\u2019s regular season can be effectively sliced into three segments by its two bye weeks. On Saturday, segment two comes to a close.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tIt\u2019s not the most climactic conclusion. Wisconsin, the Buckeyes\u2019 opponent this weekend, might be the worst team in the Big Ten. The Badgers have lost four consecutive games, including their first three in conference play. Middling Maryland beat them 27-10, Michigan knocked them off 24-10 and Iowa dominated them 37-0 in the battle for the Heartland Trophy last week.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThere are a few positive qualities of the Wisconsin defense, but its offense is anemic as can be conceived for a Power 4 team. Camp Randall Stadium always offers a tough environment for visitors, but on the whole, Saturday should be a chance to get starters out early and get backups experience while No. 1 Ohio State fills in some of the few cracks that have appeared in its armor midway through the regular season. Then the Buckeyes can enjoy a well-earned off week.\n<\/p>\n

\tThe Headlines<\/p>\n

\tOld Familiar Faces<\/p>\n

\n\tA lot\u2019s happened in nine years since Luke Fickell left the Buckeyes\u2019 coaching staff. Even more has happened in the 14 years since his one season as Ohio State\u2019s interim head coach.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tIronically, Fickell left at the same time Ryan Day arrived at Ohio State. Fickell went from co-defensive coordinator in Columbus to head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2017, the same year that Day became co-offensive coordinator of the Buckeyes. Both men\u2019s careers rose over the next five years. Fickell took Cincinnati to the new heights of a College Football Playoff berth while Day became Ohio State\u2019s head coach in 2019 and led the Buckeyes to the CFP in three of his first four seasons.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThen, in 2023, Fickell became Wisconsin\u2019s head coach, which he remains for the time being. The Badgers repeated their previous year\u2019s record that season at 7-6, while frustrations with Day grew in segments of the Buckeye fanbase after they closed their 2023 campaign with back-to-back losses, including a loss to Michigan, for the second year in a row.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tTheir careers have taken opposite trajectories since. Fickell\u2019s Wisconsin went 5-7 in 2024 during Ohio State and Day\u2019s national championship season and the Badgers\u2019 bad start to 2025 has Fickell feeling like a dead man walking. He spoke like it after the embarrassment Iowa handed his team.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThat\u2019s as low as it can be,\u201d Fickell said afterward. \u201cI apologize. I apologize to our guys, to not be ready, to not have them ready, I\u2019m dumbfounded in a lot of ways. But that\u2019s my job. And this is a game we\u2019ve been talking about since January. And I\u2019ve been doing a lot of things to make sure we were ready and prepared, and obviously, we were not. … It is a challenge right now. This is no place I\u2019ve ever been (as a coach). I don\u2019t know where else there is to go.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tFlipping to the more positive side of familiarity, Wisconsin native and Ohio State center Carson Hinzman returns to play his home state team for the second time in his Buckeye career. The first time, in 2023, he was the critiqued redshirt freshman center of a much-maligned front five. Now, he\u2019s a great stalwart on the front five. Many family and friends will be in attendance to watch him play in Madison.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cI already got about like 30 tickets, I think I need another 40, so I’m trying to kind of scrounge the guys for a couple,\u201d Hinzman said on Wednesday. \u201cBut no, I’m super pumped to go back and play over there. I’m 1-1 there right now from high school, we lost our state championship my freshman year. So, got to beat .500 (as my record).\u201d\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\tRun Game Renovations<\/p>\n

\t\tProjected Starters<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tOhio State<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPos<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWisconsin<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tOFFENSE<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tJULIAN SAYIN<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tQB<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDANNY O’NEIL<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tCJ DONALDSON<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tRB<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDILIN JONES<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tJEREMIAH SMITH<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWR<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tVINNY ANTHONY II<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tCARNELL TATE<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWR<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tCHRIS BROOKS JR.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tBRANDON INNISS<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWR<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tTRECH KEKAHUNA<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tMAX KLARE<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tTE<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tLANCE MASON<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAUSTIN SIEREVELD<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tLT<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tRILEY MAHLMAN<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tLUKE MONTGOMERY<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tLG<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tJOE BRUNNER<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tCARSON HINZMAN<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tC<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDAVIS HEINZEN<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tTEGRA TSHABOLA<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tRG<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tKERRY KODANKO<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tPHILLIP DANIELS<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tRT<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tEMMERSON MANDELL<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDEFENSE<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tKENYATTA JACKSON JR.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDE\/OLB<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tSEBASTIAN CHEEKS<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tTYWONE MALONE JR.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDT<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tBEN BARTEN<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tKAYDEN MCDONALD<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDT<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tJAY’VIAR SUGGS<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tCADEN CURRY<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDE\/OLB<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDARRYL PETERSON III<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tSONNY STYLES<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWLB<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tTACKETT CURTIS<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tARVELL REESE<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tMLB<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tCHRISTIAN ALLIEGRO<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tLORENZO STYLES JR.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tNB<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tGEIMERE LATIMER II<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tDAVISON IGBINOSUN<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tCB<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tRICARDO HALLMAN<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tJERMAINE MATHEWS JR.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tCB<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tD’YONI HIILL<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tCALEB DOWNS<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tFS<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tMATTHEW JUNG<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tJAYLEN MCCLAIN<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tSS<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAUSTIN BROWN<\/p>\n

\n\tThe one strength Wisconsin has as a team is its run defense. The Badgers rank 19th in the country with 97.5 rushing yards allowed per game, though they have surrendered 3.6 yards per carry, which is only 41st.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThat\u2019s good news for Ohio State \u2013 in a game that should be another comfortable victory, at least. Running the football is the biggest thing the Buckeyes need to work on six games into their season. The Buckeyes are 46th nationally in yards per carry (4.7) and 62nd in rushing yards per game (160.7). They\u2019re coming off one of their worst rushing outings of the season, gaining just 2.9 yards per attempt against Illinois, though Day said at his press conference Tuesday he thought the Buckeyes executed well situationally in short-yardage and the red zone.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tStill, there are a lot of tweaks to be made. Getting featured freshman Bo Jackson back at running back after he missed most of the second half against the Fighting Illini with an ankle injury should be a boost.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWe’re always looking to get better,\u201d Day said or the run game overall. \u201cThere’s been some positive things across the board and then some things we need to get better at, but I think the guys are playing physical and I think that there’s been some really positive things that we’ve done this year. But as we know we want to perfect it. And I think once you get halfway through the season you recognize the things that your guys can do well and I think we have to continually work on the things that we think fit our guys the best.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\tGoal is A Goose Egg<\/p>\n

\n\tKayden McDonald was none too happy that Ohio State gave up 16 points, its highest total of the season, to Illinois. And the 326-pound nose guard is someone you want to keep happy.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cDefinitely bothers me,\u201d McDonald said after the game. \u201cWe want to be the best defense in the country. We can’t let people score, so we’ve got to get back to work tomorrow. We’ve got to just keep going.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\n\tWisconsin is last in the Big Ten and 131st nationally with 15.5 points per game. The Badgers are also last in the Big Ten 130th nationally, with 292.5 yards of total offense per game. The Buckeyes are still the No. 1 scoring defense in the country at 6.8 points per game.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\n\tCombine that with Wisconsin\u2019s quarterback questions \u2013 starter Billy Edwards Jr. is still injured, and backups Danny O\u2019Neil and Hunter Simmons are battling to see who will start this week \u2013 and perhaps McDonald and company can pitch their second shutout.\n<\/p>\n

\tWatch Out for These Guys<\/p>\n

\tWisconsin LB Christian Alliegro<\/p>\n

\t\"Christian<\/p>\n

\n\t\tGary Cosby\/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.\n\t<\/p>\n

\n\tAlliegro has easily been the highlight of the Badgers\u2019 season so far. He leads the team with 42 tackles, 16 more than the second-most on the squad. He\u2019s added four tackles for loss and a team-high two sacks with a pass breakup. It\u2019s his second year as a starter in Madison.\n<\/p>\n

\tWisconsin S Austin Brown<\/p>\n

\n\tBoth Badger standouts here are from the defensive side of the ball, for obvious reasons. Brown is third on Wisconsin with 23 tackles, adding one TFL. He has two PBUs in pass coverage.\n<\/p>\n

\tOhio State S Caleb Downs<\/p>\n

\n\tO\u2019Neill and Simmons have thrown a combined eight interceptions in their six appearances for Wisconsin this year. In the Big Ten, only Purdue has thrown more picks this year, with nine. Downs will get plenty of opportunities for his second interception of the season. Even if he doesn\u2019t, Wisconsin\u2019s anemic passing attack will allow him to play more aggressively and make plays in the box.\n<\/p>\n

\tGame Week Talk<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cLuke Fickell’s a very good coach. He knows winning football, and his team plays hard. They play sound football. Now, I know the season hasn’t gone the way that they’ve expected it to go. But at the same time, put the film on, they’re one of the better defenses in the country.\u201d\u2013 Ohio State HC Ryan Day on Wisconsin\n<\/p>\n

\n\tDay, as always, is taking his opponent seriously regardless of record. There\u2019s obvious mutual respect between he and Fickell, and he feels Wisconsin\u2019s defense is of a good enough caliber that the team can be a threat if they get a few big plays on offense. That\u2019s what he said publicly, at least.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWe\u2019ve just got to treat it like we do each and every other game we do on this schedule. Prepare for them like they\u2019re a top talent, because we know, like Coach Day says, teams like that are desperate. They\u2019re desperate for a win. They\u2019ll do anything to go out there and win.\u201d\u2013 Ohio State WR Carnell Tate on his message to his teammates\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe calls for focus from Day have been owned and embraced by his roster. That\u2019s the true reason Ohio State has handled business each of its weeks that it\u2019s played inferior competition thus far this year, because the team leaders are ensuring no one on the roster is slacking. The goal will be more of the same in Madison.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThere\u2019s nothing to lose. And I think that sometimes some of the things that hold us back is just our own selves in a way that, we\u2019re trying to be perfect. And the recognition that, if you\u2019re going to go out there and you\u2019re gonna do anything against the No. 1 team in the country, you can\u2019t be held back by being perfect.\u201d\u2013 Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell on what gives him optimism about his team going into the Ohio State game\n<\/p>\n

\n\tAs Tate put it, the Badgers will be entering desperate with nothing to lose on Saturday. Their head coach, especially. Time will tell if it matters with the talent discrepancy between the squads.\n<\/p>\n

\tGet Smart<\/p>\n

\t\tOhio State has a 63-18-5 all-time record vs. Wisconsin with 10 straight wins.<\/p>\n

\t\tWisconsin\u2019s roster features seven players from Ohio, including starting outside linebacker Darryl Peterson II (Akron), starting kicker Nathanial Vakos (Avon), former Ohio State wide receiver Jayden Ballard (Massillon) and cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (Mentor), who\u2019s unlikely\u00a0to play as he continues to fight the NCAA for another year of eligibility.<\/p>\n

\t\tCarson Hinzman is the Buckeyes\u2019 lone player from Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

\t\tWisconsin\u2019s coaching staff includes four former Ohio State players: Head coach Luke\u00a0Fickell, quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton, assistant linebackers coach Tuf Borland and assistant special teams coordinator Michael Cibene. Former Ohio State linebacker Chris Worley is also on Wisconsin\u2019s staff as its director of player development and engagement.<\/p>\n

\t\tThe game will be Ohio State\u2019s second appearance on CBS this season along with its September road game at Washington.<\/p>\n

\tHow It Plays Out<\/p>\n

\t\tMore Ohio State vs. Wisconsin Coverage<\/p>\n

\tLine: Ohio State -25.5, O\/U 41.5<\/p>\n

\n\tNot much else to say about this one. Wisconsin has been a very bad team this season. Ohio State has been a very good team this season.\n<\/p>\n

\n\tThe smallest margin of victory predicted by Eleven Warriors staff is 28 points, with four of us predicting a 40-point-plus win for the Buckeyes. Wisconsin\u2019s defense could provide some challenges if it’s playing at its best, but it won\u2019t be enough to keep the Badgers\u2019 offense in the game.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t41<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t3<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\tEvery great team needs a solid game plan. As the Official Bank of Eleven Warriors, First Bank of Central Ohio<\/a> helps local businesses build theirs. We\u2019re local, independent, and focused on your business\u2019 success. Explore how we can support your next move<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Presented by First Bank of Central Ohio 2-4 Oct. 18, 2025\u00a0– 3:30 P.m. ET Camp Randall Stadium Madison,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":231611,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[399,398,396,397,99],"class_list":{"0":"post-231610","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-football","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-ncaa","10":"tag-ncaa-football","11":"tag-ncaafootball","12":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=231610"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231610\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/231611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=231610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=231610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=231610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}