Wisconsin experienced one of its worst first half performances in 5 years vs. Ohio State

Look at the halftime score, and things don’t look that bad for Wisconsin. Look at the offensive statistics, it’s a different story.

Saturday’s top 15 showdown between Wisconsin and Ohio State is a bit sloppy, to say the least. It isn’t just that both defenses are outstanding, but that a cold and wet day in Columbus is making things troublesome for both offenses. The Badgers are struggling, in particular.

Wisconsin finished the half with just 72 first half yards of offense. Jack Coan finished with 26 yards on 4-of-9 pass attempts. Jonathan Taylor was held to 25 yards on 12 carries. The Badgers trailed the Buckeyes 10-0 through 30 minutes.

From @ESPNStatsInfo: #Wisconsin had 72 yards of total offense in the first half, its fewest in a game since Nov. 21, 2015 against Northwestern (50 yards). This is the first time Wisconsin has been shut out in the first half since Oct. 1, 2016, against Michigan.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) October 26, 2019

The 72 yards is the lowest total Wisconsin has had in a first half of a games since a 2015 games against Northwestern, when it finished the first 30 minutes with just 50 yards. It was also the first time the Badgers have been held scoreless through the opening two quarters since a 2016 game against Michigan, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg.

That’s not ideal against one of the best teams in the country.

Wisconsin will need a huge second half to pull off the upset and defeat Ohio State. The offense is really going to have to get things moving In the final two quarters.