This should be a good game to watch, fan or no fan. Badgers always seem to play us tough and we have had problems in Madison. I do not expect this game to be any different. Game will come down to our ability to shut down their impressive running game. Pryor will be limited in this game and if his passing game is not on target, we will be in trouble.
.....so did Bama. no thanks. If you go into Madison on cruise control against their offensive front and John Clay and co running downhill 40 times a game you are almost certain to get your a$$ kicked.... Our defense has played very, very well thus far but have not faced a running attack anywhere near as physical as Wisky's nor a back as capable as Clay...fortunately our injuries have not really impacted the front 7, but those that remain will have their manhood tested all night long....they are committed to the ground game and will continue to pound seeking to wear the defense down and to eventually break them....I've seen this movie many times and hope that we have the depth up front to hang for all 4 qtrs. I believe our frontline is as good as any, but we don't have anywhere near the depth we've had in prior years....they will have their hands full. I do believe with a healthy TP we are advantaged offensively -v- Badger D, but lose one of the games great weapons when hobbled....he can get it done from the pocket but I'd rather he not have to all the time especially when he's nowhere near as mobile as usual and has a big bullseye on his back. I don't think he'll be anywhere near 100%, we'll see. We will need to establish a meaningful threat from the tailbacks to 1) take the pressure off TP, 2) keep the Wisky offense off the field and give our D a blow....if we can't get the tailbacks off early, don't be surprised to see a Buckeye version of the West Coast offense - (did I just say that? Woody is rolling over in his grave!) - with TP working the short passing game underneath all over the field....if the Badger secondary gets too frisky, we've got a few guys on that can make them pay the ultimate price over the top. They are a tough physical fooball team and Mad-town at night is never a picnic.....expect a brawl in the trenches, but our big play capability gives us the edge necessary to escape with a victory......and any victory in Madison is a good one. Just win baby....
JT has won 4 and lost 3 to Wisky....average score 21-17 favor of the good guys. We have won the last 3 and they have not beaten us since 04 but we didn't play them in either 05 or 06 so a bit misleading. Every trip to Mad-town has been a nailbiter - at best. Most recent trip saw freshman TP lead the Buckeyes the length of the field to come from behind late in the 4th qtr. Prior to 07, they had won 3 of the last 4 times we faced them. It is always a scrap and facing them in Madison will be a great challenge for this football team....make no mistake.
Yes, JT is 4-3 -v- Wisky followed by the Nits next at 6-3, Illinois and Purdue have beaten his teams twice and then there are the others.....including our friends from up north! 8)
Pryor says he is ready to resume running the football if necessary against Wisconsin. According to him his quad injury is almost completely healed? One thing for certain, if we are to retain our number 1 ranking, we will have to win at Camp Randall Stadium.
Congrats to the Badgers on a well deserved victory. They came out fast and we could not match their intensity early and they mauled us for the better part of the first half. To their credit, our kids manned up and dominated the 3rd qtr to make it a ballgame and give the Wisky kids something to think about and they responded big time and earned the win....always a tough, physical ballgame in a great environment for college football and this time our kids met their match.....well done by the Badgers.
That was a great game, unbelievable domination by the Wisky OL and RB's early in the game, then just when I thought they were dead in the water and that Tressle was going to pull one out, again, they stiffened and got the job done.
Not much to add to what Buckeye Terry has already posted. Wixconsin has been in a thorn in our side on more than several occassions in Madison! It is now back to the drawing board for the remainder of the season and some luck on the way, if we are to have any chance to play in Glendale.