First thoughts: Buckeyes thoroughly dominate, crush Wisconsin for tone-setting B1G win
COLUMBUS — Ohio State received the ball to start the game and scored a touchdown.
It was 7-0 just minutes into the blacked-out primetime showdown, and the Buckeyes had already set the tone for a dominant, complete Big Ten win over a thought-to-be-physical Wisconsin team.
From there, the rout was on. The Buckeyes poured on scores on their first five drives on their way to a total beatdown over the Badgers inside a packed Horseshoe.
Yes, the final score of 52-21 was just as indicative of the dominant Ohio State victory as the eye test on the field for nearly 60 minutes. And the Buckeyes are now 1-0 in Big Ten play with Rutgers on deck.
Simply put, Ohio State completely handled Wisconsin en route to a blowout win to remain perfect on the season and set the tone for league play as the Buckeyes enter October.
That’s where the breakdown begins for Lettermen Row after the Buckeyes jumped on Wisconsin early and ran away with their first Big Ten win of the season inside the Horseshoe on Saturday night.
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Cade Stover is real Ohio State weapon
Ohio State already showed it is going to get its tight ends more activity in the passing game this fall in the first three games. But this much activity? Nobody could have predicted Cade Stover being the Buckeyes leading receiver at halftime — and on the receiving end of two C.J. Stroud touchdown passes. Ryan Day and the Ohio State staff are finding ways to scheme Stover open in the passing game, and through four games, Stover is becoming a bonafide star for the offense. As Big Ten play progresses, expect to see more of it. Cade Stover is a critical part of the offense now, and that opens up huge possibilities for the Buckeyes moving forward.
Buckeyes defense can shut down elite rushing attacks
The Buckeyes entered Saturday night having shown impressive defensive moments, but they had yet to see a challenge like the Wisconsin rushing attack. Ohio State completely shut down the Badgers on the ground, holding star back Braelon Allen to just 36 rushing yards in the first half. By halftime, the game was essentially over. He was bottled up, as was the rest of the Wisconsin power-running game it is so famous for running. If Ohio State can contain backs in the Big Ten and keep playing this way up front, it will have success in the eight remaining league games. The Buckeyes knew Wisconsin would present some new challenges Saturday night. They answered all of them with ease.
Ohio State continues to rack up rushing yards with two-headed beast in backfield
The Ohio State passing game speaks for itself. The Buckeyes continue to gain easy yards through the air. But they’re certainly improved compared to a year ago on the ground, and they’re being spear-headed by a pair of talented running backs. Both sophomore TreVeyon Henderson and third-year back Miyan Williams topped 100 yards on the ground, the first time this season both have eclipsed the 100-yard mark. C.J. Stroud and his stable of receivers do what they do, but the offensive line is opening holes, and the pair of elite backs are finding their way through them. The Buckeyes can run the football at a high level, and the offense is absolutely clicking just a week into conference play.
