The Ohio State Buckeyes are trying to find a way to sneak into the inaugural College Football Playoff but have a tough final test, taking on the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2014 Big Ten Championship Game.
At 11-1, the Buckeyes are currently on the outside looking in for the playoff picture. They currently sit at No. 5 behind teams like the Florida State Seminoles and TCU Horned Frogs, hoping for a slip-up so that they can try to win their first national title since 2002. Meanwhile, the 10-2 Badgers are trying to spoil Ohio State's chances while helping running back Melvin Gordon with his Heisman Trophy resume.
It won't be easy for the Buckeyes, but the Big Ten Championship Game will have major playoff implications, so a number of teams will be keeping an eye on Ohio State during Saturday's game.
Game Info
When: Saturday, December 6, 8:17 p.m. ET
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
Watch: Fox
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
Betting Info: (via Odds Shark)
- Over/Under: 52.5
- Spread: Wisconsin (-3)
Storylines to Watch
Cardale Jones Trying to Bring Buckeyes to Promised Land
Few players in Ohio State history have ever had as much pressure put on them as redshirt sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones. Originally the third-string QB, injuries to Braxton Miller and, most recently, J.T. Barrett have forced Jones to start under center with a chance for a spot in the College Football Playoff at stake.
Barrett suffered a broken ankle last week against Michigan that ended his season, but he has a lot of confidence in his backup.
"Cardale is a great player," Barrett told Austin Ward of ESPN.com. "I honestly feel like if I wasn't starting this year, Cardale would have done the same things I did this year. Cardale is that talented. He definitely can do it."
Jones has only thrown 19 passes during his career at Ohio State, but the expectations are high for the 6'5'', 250-pound quarterback. He'll have a tough task going against Wisconsin's defense, however, as it's allowed just 156.6 yards per game and 10 total passing touchdowns while sacking opposing quarterbacks 35 times.
Even if the Buckeyes are able to win, they'll likely have to hope for a team in the Top Four to lose this weekend in order to make it into the playoff. However, the Buckeyes can't focus on that right now, especially Jones, who will have to find a way to lead Ohio State to possibly their biggest win of the season.
Melvin Gordon Looking to Build on Heisman Resume
Even though they aren't playing for a spot in the playoffs, the Badgers are still trying to add another big win before bowl season. At the same time, their offense will be trying to assist Gordon as he attempts to become the first Heisman Trophy winner out of Wisconsin since Ron Dayne back in 1999.
The numbers this season for Gordon have been eye-opening, with the junior running back rushing for 2,260 yards and 26 touchdowns while averaging 8.0 yards per carry. It's not like he's been putting these numbers up against weaker opponents, either, as ESPN's Joe Schad pointed out just how impressive his numbers have been against winning teams.
Gordon still has some tough competition for this year's Heisman thanks to some terrific seasons from Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota and Alabama Crimson Tide receiver Amari Cooper. The award may be Mariota's to lose, however, as he has put up 47 total touchdowns while throwing just two interceptions.
But Gordon still has a chance to tighten up the race with another big game on Saturday. The Buckeyes have given up 145.6 rushing yards per game along with 21 touchdowns on the ground, but they have yet to face a running back quite like Gordon.
He may not be the Heisman front-runner right now, but another huge game for Gordon could have the voters thinking twice before writing Mariota's name down.
Prediction
There's a very small sample size for Jones at quarterback, and although that may be an advantage for the Buckeyes, it's going to be really hard to put in a backup quarterback in a conference championship game and expect everything to run smoothly.
Wisconsin's defense has allowed just 16.8 points per game, ranking fourth in the nation. The Badgers are a physical team heading into Saturday with plenty of momentum thanks to seven straight wins, and they're looking to get revenge on Ohio State after last year's 31-24 loss.
All eyes will be on Ohio State's offense, but the real battle will be on the other side of the ball. If Ohio State's defense can find a way to contain Gordon, then they'll at least give Jones a chance to lead his team to a win.
But I can't see the Buckeyes stopping Gordon. He's one of the more talented runners I've watched play in college, combining speed, acceleration and balance to hit holes at the line of scrimmage before breaking away for big gains. Gordon will have a handful of those runs, and I expect Wisconsin's defense to make things difficult for Ohio State.
Prediction: Wisconsin 28, Ohio State 20
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