Location:
Madison, WI
Driving Distance from OSU Campus:
503 mi – 8 hours 45 mins per Google Maps
Founded:
1848 – UW-Madison is the oldest and largest University in the state and the Flagship university for the University of Wisconsin system.
Number of students:
28,897 Undergrad
9,358 Post-grad
(Per Wikipedia)
Nickname:
Badgers. Their mascot is Bucky. Bucky’s full name is actually Buckingham U. Badger.
Fun fact about nickname:
There is a documentary that follows the seven students that suited up as Bucky during the 2007 season called “Being Bucky.” I have not seen it, but I am sure it’s riveting.
Things to do in Madison:
Olbrich Botanical Gardens, which is completely free.
Visit the Wisconsin State Capital.
Wine and dine on State Street.
Notable Wisconsin Alumni:
John Muir – Naturalist
Charles Lindbergh – First to fly nonstop from New York to Paris
Frank Lloyd Wright – Architect extraordinaire
Dick Cheney – Former VP, oh, uh…sorry about that one…
Conference:
B1G
Record Vs. OSU:
18-54-5
Current Line:
OSU +3
Returning Starters:
5 offensive, 6 defensive
Outlook:
Wisconsin has greatly under-performed this season. Ohio State has, arguably, exceeded all expectations and they sitting at 10-0. In spite of this, the Badgers enter the game as 3 point favorites. This is something that should surprise no one.
Wisconsin is very tough to beat at Camp Randall. They also have a Running Back looking to make NCAA history on his Senior night. Wisconsin has already locked up no worse than a third place finish which, this year, is good enough to represent the Leaders in Indy, so they would love nothing more than to silence those mocking this fact. Ohio State has locked up the Leaders Division title. It’s nearly impossible to make it through a season unscathed. Everything about this game is ominous for Ohio State.
There is this one thing, though. Urban Meyer is notoriously good at winning after a bye week. Meyer is 32-2 when given more than 1 week to prepare, including a current streak of 11 straight. Now, I’m sure there was a little bit of time spent preparing for TSUN in there as well because, well, you know. However, Meyer should have his team ready to compete.
The game should be a slug-fest. Ohio State has the #1 scoring offense in the B1G and Wisky the #2 scoring defense, Ohio State the #2 rushing offense and Wisky the #2 rushing defense. The game will likelycome down to Ohio State’s defensive performance. The defense has been brutal at times and brilliant at times (#2 rushing D in the B1G). Which D will show up? The Buckeyes can score points in bunches and if the D can do their job, OSU may very well blow this one wide open. It isn’t a fancy offense like your Indianas and Purdues that give OSU fits, so there is that.
The oddsmakers likely have it right given the home field advantage. Also, it is hard to go undefeated. And, to be honest, if the Football Gods decide they need to lose one, please, please let it be this one and not TSUN.
