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Ohio State vs. Wisconsin point spread: Picking Buckeyes vs. Badgers

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•10/23/23•

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Wisconsin v Ohio State
COLUMBUS, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 24: Running back Braelon Allen #0 of the Wisconsin Badgers is tackled by linebacker Steele Chambers #22 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second quarter at Ohio Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images)

Ohio State is fresh off a huge win against Penn State, taking one step toward winning the all-important Big Ten East. Their next test will be a road game against Wisconsin, a matchup they will be favored by two touchdowns in. It’s one where On3’s Clark Brooks — also known as Stat Cat — struggles to see where the Badgers find offensive success.

“I just don’t see how Wisconsin will be able to move the ball consistently against this defense,” Brooks said during Monday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “(Jim Knowles) is not getting enough acclaim, in my opinion. He’s been a God send for that program to get them on the right track.”

Not too many teams in the Big Ten West are enjoying their offense at the moment. While they are averaging nearly 400 yards per game, they are down to Braedyn Locke as the backup quarterback after Tanner Mordecai suffered a season-ending injury.

Now, they will be going up against an Ohio State defense on fire. Knowles just put together an absolute masterclass against Penn State, limiting them to just 12 points. Thought to be a group with a ton of potential heading into the season, the Buckeyes were dominant.

Just because of the defense alone, Staples is taking Ohio State to cover in the game. He believes Kyle McCord and the offense could come out slow and still wind up winning quite easily. Rarely is Staples willing to take a two-touchdown road favorite but this one feels different for him.

“I don’t like this matchup,” Staples said. “Even if Ohio State comes out sleepy, I don’t like this matchup. They cover even if they’re sleepy because I just do not see how Wisconsin scores… (Ohio State) can probably leave the Masarati idle in the driveway a little bit.”

Brooks was in agreement with Staples, taking Ohio State to cover the two-touchdown spread. He could not see how Wisconsin was going to slow down the Buckeyes, specifically on the ground. As most games are won at the line of scrimmage, it could be the case once again on Saturday.

Both believe the best-case scenario for Ryan Day‘s team is getting out of Madison without any injuries and marching on toward the all-important game against Michigan. While Ohio State has had road let downs in the past against Big Ten West teams, neither believe this will be one of them.