The Ohio State-Wisconsin game doesn’t resonate as one of the bigger matchups in the Big Ten, mainly because the Buckeyes have games annually with Michigan and have dominated the series. And being on opposite sides of the divisional alignment, the two do not face each other every year. So, after a two-year respite from Big Ten play, the Badgers and Buckeyes will go at it in Madison on October 15. Wisconsin will welcome the chance to avenge a 59-0 loss in the 2014 Big Ten Championship.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Ohio State Buckeyes -6
Wisconsin Badgers +6
Odds Analysis
Wisconsin’s last two series wins have come when playing as the underdog. Ohio State hitting the early board at -6 is good news. Playing in Madison is also a plus for the Badgers. However, Wisconsin is just 1-7 SU and ATS over the past eight games.
Last Meeting
The teams last met in the 2014 Big Ten Championship game, and it wasn’t much of a contest. Behind a quarterback making his first career start, Ohio State rolled up 558 yards of total offense, stifled Wisconsin’s Heisman Trophy finalist and blanked the Badgers 59-0.
With Cardale Jones getting the start, Ohio State entered the contest as a 4-point underdog. Jones tossed a scoring pass in the first series and the rout was on. He would connect on two more scores and finish with 257 passing yards. The Buckeyes defense limited Melvin Gordon to 76 yards rushing on 26 carries and intercepted three Joel Stave passes.
Ohio State was invited to the first CFP, knocked off Alabama in the semis and routed Oregon to claim the national title. The Buckeyes were also underdogs in both playoff games.
The last regular season meeting between Ohio State and Wisconsin was a bit tighter, but the result was the same. OSU posted a 31-24 win at the Horseshoe on September 28, 2013.
The Series
Glancing at the all-time series between the two, it’s clear Ohio State has a distinct advantage. The Buckeyes have won 57 of the 80 all-time games with five ties. An era that epitomizes the series came between 1960 and 1980 when Ohio State won all 21 games.
It’s not like the Badgers have been a pushover in the Big Ten recently, which makes the results over the past 20 years a little more palpable for Wisconsin. Since 1996, Wisconsin has won at least eight games in a season 17 times. Bucky’s record against OSU in that span is 5-10. Not great, but their .333 winning percentage is far better than the .217 mark leading up to 1996.
Importance
This game means plenty to Wisconsin’s second-year head coach Paul Chryst. The former Pitt boss wasn’t around when the Badgers were routed by Ohio State in the 2014 conference title game. He missed out on the big boys from the East last season, instead getting Maryland and Rutgers, teams that won one league game each in 2015.
At least the new coach did his job against them. The Badgers routed both teams. However, two ugly losses to Northwestern and Iowa cost Wisconsin a shot at the West title. Things get interesting for the Badgers in 2016. The Big Ten added an additional game to the league slate, going from eight games to nine. Wisconsin’s three crossover opponents include Michigan, Michigan State and the Buckeyes. Ouch.
Betting Angle
The game with Ohio State concludes a three-game stretch for Wisconsin that has them playing at Michigan and Michigan State prior to the Oct. 15 showdown in Madison. That has to be the most brutal three-game run in college football. At least the Badgers will have an off week before entertaining Ohio State.
A week off might not matter. Ohio State has won the last four hookups, including the Big Ten title wipeout, and is 4-0 ATS. Wisconsin won the 2010 game, which snapped a three-game OSU win streak. Over the last eight games the Buckeyes are 7-1 SU and ATS.
Quick Pick
Chryst landed on a bed of feathers in his first season at Wisconsin. The Badgers played in the weaker division, skipped the powers in the East and, with the exception of losses to Northwestern and Iowa by a combined 10 points, was in contention for an East crown.
With the top three teams from the East on the 2016 slate and the Ohio State matchup coming after games at Michigan and Michigan State, the Badgers will be lucky to have healthy bodies. They do have an off-week prior to the matchup, but that’s a tall order. Look for the Buckeyes to take advantage and claim another win in the series.
NCAA Odds: Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 20
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