2017 Big Ten Championship: Why Wisconsin Beats Ohio State

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The 2017 Big Ten Championship Game between Ohio State and Wisconsin has greater implications than the conference title itself, as both teams hope to secure a berth in this year's College Football Playoff.

Ohio State (10-2) and Wisconsin (12-0) are ranked 8th and 4th, respectively. The top four ranked teams in the top 25 College Football poll advance to the playoff. Each of the four teams play in two semifinal games, and the winner of each semifinal advances to the College Football Playoff National Championship.

2017 Big Ten Championship Game

When: Saturday, Dec. 2
Time: 7 p.m. CDT
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV: WITI Fox 6 Milwaukee
Radio: WOKY 920 AM Milwaukee

Patch.com's 3 Big Matchups

Wisconsin editor Scott Anderson and Ohio editor Chris Mosby go head-to-head, predicting 3 big matchups and why each team will win 'em.

Wisconsin's Offensive Line vs. Ohio State's Defensive Line

Why Wisconsin Wins This Matchup:

Left Tackle Michael Deiter 6-foot-6, 328 pounds, Left Guard Jon Dietzen 6-foot-6, 336 pounds, Center Tyler Biadasz 6-foot-3, 316 pounds, Right Guard Beau Benzschawel 6-foot-6, 317 pounds and Right Tackle David Edwards 6-foot-7, 315 pounds form the largest offensive line that Ohio State will face this season.

Wisconsin has always had a run-first offense and this group of road-graders clear lanes with gusto, resulting in an average of 243.3 rushing yards per game, the 18th-most in the country. We expect this group to push and shove its way to even more rushing yards against Ohio State in a physical matchup.

Why Ohio State Wins This Matchup:

There's no denying the size of the Wisconsin offensive line. The boys in the Badgers' trenches are big, very big. Unfortunately for them, that just means they'll get tired faster.

The Buckeyes boast what could very well be the most relentless and most talented defensive line in the nation. Sam Hubbard, Nick Bosa (brother of Buckeye-alum and legend Joey Bosa), Michael Hill and Tyquan Lewis were all instrumental in disrupting the Michigan offense on Saturday. That unit has been instrumental in disrupting every offense this season. Bosa has 12.5 tackles for losses this season. Hubbard has 10 tackles for losses this season.

While Wisconsin will be the biggest challenge, literally, the defensive line has faced all season, there have been plenty of large squads in the lead-up to the championship game. Illinois and Penn State both boasted some of the pound-for-pound biggest offensive lines in the B1G. Illinois lost 52-14 and undefeated Penn State fell to the Buckeyes 39-38.

Ohio State's Secondary vs. Wisconsin's Alex Hornibrook

Why Wisconsin Wins This Matchup

Ok, so we know that Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook leads the Big 10 with 13 interceptions, but he has also thrown 18 touchdown passes in a passing game that the team really doesn't rely upon when compared with their running game. Hornibrook is the epitome of the old-school pocket passer. He can fit a throw into a tight window and has good accuracy - when he needs to - but is an absolute dead duck when he has to scramble.

Fortunately, Wisconsin has a stellar offensive line and a creative ground game to balance the offense. While we know the passing attack can be challenged with the loss of top receiver Quintez Cephus to an injury, Tight End Troy Fumagalli is Hornibrook's security blanket. Receivers A.J. Taylor and Danny Davis have stepped up, and have collected 6 touchdowns this season.

Why Ohio State Wins This Matchup

Ohio State lost three first-round level talents to the NFL this past year: Cornerbacks Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore, along with Safety Malik Hooker. Replacing those players has been difficult.

The Buckeyes are giving up slightly more touchdowns through the air than they have in previous seasons. The current squad is giving up about 179 yards and 1.3 touchdowns per game. Last year, the secondary was giving up less than one touchdown through the air per game.

For Ohio State to be successful this game, the defensive line will need to disrupt Hornibrook and keep him from getting comfortable moving the ball. Cornerback Denzel Ward, who has had a great season deflecting passes and generally stepping up as a leader in the secondary, will again need to have a great game.

Ohio State's J.T. Barrett vs. Wisconsin's Secondary

Why Wisconsin Wins This Matchup

Last year, J.T. Barrett picked apart the Badger defense by using his mobility to buy time and make big play after big play on third down. This year, Wisconsin's secondary has yet to play against a team that has three to four talented wide receivers who can spread the defense out in addition to a quarterback who can improvise on his feet.

Wisconsin's dynamic cornerback duo of Derrick Tindal and Nick Nelson will be tested. But Nelson, who leads the Big 10 with 18 pass breakups and Tindal, who has 2 interceptions, match up athletically with anyone they're lined up against. Nelson was a consensus first-team All Big-10 selection, while safety D’Cota Dixon earned first-team honors from the coaches but made the media’s third team. Tindal was selected to the third-team selection from the coaches.

Why Ohio State Wins This Matchup

This could end up being the most fascinating match-up of the game. Barrett is suddenly passe, his hype being gobbled up by redshirt freshman Dwayne Haskins, who helped lead Ohio State to a win against rival Michigan. But the hobbled senior (injured in the 3rd quarter of the game against the Wolverines) will likely make the start against the Badgers.

Haskins and Barrett are two totally different QBs and provide different looks for the Badgers to prep for. Barrett is an athlete who is equally happy running the ball himself or hurling the ball downfield. Haskins is a pro-style passer that is comfortable picking apart a secondary from the pocket.

Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer is wisely remaining non-committal when discussing Barrett's status. He's described the senior QB as "probable," leaving the door propped open for a Haskins start. That makes prepping for the Buckeyes that much harder for Wisconsin. Right now, the Buckeyes strength is running the football, but if Haskins starts...the entire dynamic of the offense might change.

Our Conclusion

Scott from Wisconsin: Wisconsin's defense suffocates Ohio State's running game and keeps mobile quarterback J.T. Barrett in check. On offense, the Badgers do just enough in the air to keep the ground game moving the chains. The game comes down to a Rafael Gaglianone field goal late in the fourth quarter. Wisconsin wins 34-31 with the Badgers dancing their way into the BCS playoff.

Chris from Ohio: Ohio State is much better than Northwestern, the only ranked team the Badgers have played this year. Ohio State's defensive line will be fired up and ready to prove itself against Wisconsin, leading to a slugfest in the trenches. At the end of the day, the relative health of J.T. Barrett may decide the game, but the Buckeyes are pulling this game out (and mucking up the BCS playoffs for everyone). Final score: Ohio State wins, 35-24.

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