The non-conference portion of Ohio State’s schedule is over following Saturday night’s 77-21 rout of Toledo.
The Buckeyes beat up on the Rockets to move to 3-0. It was their highest-scoring game in the Ryan Day era, and the 763 total yards amassed were the second-most in school history.
The Buckeyes look like they have found another gear on offense. Their defense is much improved.
Now come Big Ten opponents with Wisconsin visiting Columbus Saturday.
Kaufman: Some of the luster of Ohio State’s conference opener was lost after the Badgers were upset by Washington State in their second game, knocking them outside the top-25. They’re among six of seven teams in the Big Ten West that have already suffered a loss. But the matchup could serve as a barometer of progress for Jim Knowles’ rebuilt defense. Wisconsin sophomore Braelon Allen is among the best running backs in the country and a physical runner – 229 of his 332 rushing yards have come after contact, according to data from Pro Football Focus. We’ll really see how much has changed for Ohio State since last November.
Rabinowitz: We know what Wisconsin will try to do. The Badgers’ identity is as clear as any team in the Big Ten. They want to bludgeon you with a physical offensive line and pound the ball in the run game, pass mainly as a changeup and play stout defense. Whether that formula will work against Ohio State is questionable. The Buckeyes’ run defense has been superb this year. OSU has yielded only 2.6 yards per rush.
Kaufman: A big reason for the Buckeyes’ early success in the trenches has been Mike Hall, the run-stuffing defensive tackle. He was held out against Toledo after hurting his shoulder the previous week. Defensive starters Tanner McCalister and Josh Proctor, were also kept on the sidelines because they were banged up. They’re all expected to be back Saturday. Hall’s presence is especially important against Allen.
Rabinowitz: Day’s policy is not to be detailed about injuries, so it’s a guessing game as to whether they are truly minor or not. The Buckeyes have plenty of depth on the defensive line, but Hall has already established himself as a game-changer because of his quickness off the snap. I thought J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer were disruptive against Toledo. Adding Hall could make blocking OSU’s front four quite difficult. Wisconsin would like to make the game a war in the trenches. If it becomes about athleticism, the Buckeyes will have a huge edge.
Kaufman: The biggest early question mark for Ohio State’s defense is not up front, but in the secondary. Denzel Burke, who was the top cover corner last season, has had ups and downs. He gave up another long reception against Toledo when Jerjuan Newton out-jumped him to grab a 40-yard heave from Rockets quarterback Dequan Finn. After the catch, Burke was unable to tackle him, and Newton stepped into the end zone. But Wisconsin’s Graham Mertz is not the passer best suited to pick apart the back end of a defense.
Rabinowitz: Mertz had a great debut a few years ago but hasn’t been able to replicate that. Unless he does, it’s hard to see Wisconsin hanging in against the Buckeyes. C.J. Stroud is at the top of his game, and the Buckeyes got Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Julian Fleming back this week. Add them to Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, and, well, good luck Badgers. The Buckeyes hope to have TreVeyon Henderson, but Miyan Williams and freshman Dallan Hayden have shown they’re capable of carrying to load behind OSU’s offensive line.
Kaufman: I’ll also be interested in the chess match between Day and Jim Leonhard, the Badgers’ sharp-minded defensive coordinator. When the teams last met in the Big Ten championship game in 2019, the Buckeyes were held to only a touchdown in the first half before rallying for a win. Last season, Wisconsin led the Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense.
Rabinowitz: Leonhard is very good, but if your X’s are worse than their O’s, a coordinator can only do so much. Wisconsin gave up 41 points to Notre Dame and 38 to Michigan last year so color me skeptical that the Badgers’ No. 1 defensive ranking wasn’t largely a reflection of playing in the Big Ten West, which isn’t noted for offensive prowess. Maybe they’ll prove me wrong Saturday.
