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Ohio State LB gives simple key to beating Wisconsin: ‘We stop him, we’re going to win the game’
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On Wednesday night, Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner let media know what the game on Saturday against Wisconsin is going to come down to.
Stopping Jonathan Taylor:
“We stop him, we’re going to win the game,” he said.
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Realistically, if Ohio State straight up stops Taylor, Werner is right. The game is over. Badgers quarterback Jack Coan would have to have the game of his life at that point to pull off the upset.
And, is that going to happen in Columbus? Probably not. Not unless Ohio State turns the ball over (a lot) to Wisconsin and gives the Badgers plenty of opportunities.
If Taylor gets going, though, or even does what he does and gets, say, five yards per carry, the Badgers know how to build off that: play-action.
“Wisconsin, they’re one of the best at play-action,” Werner said. “They’ll get us a few times, but it’s how we bounce back and go from there.”
Werner’s not being unrealistic here. If the Buckeyes stop Taylor outright, the game’s over. But, occasionally, Wisconsin will get them with some play-action calls that work. To win the game 59-0 just isn’t likely.
Though, it of course isn’t impossible (see the 2014 Big Ten Championship Game).
We’ll find out how it all goes down on Saturday at noon ET in Columbus. The game will be televised on FOX. We know you’ll be watching.
Trust us, we will be, too.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.