When everyone looked at this season’s schedule, many believed this weekend’s contest between Ohio State Football and Wisconsin would have been a top-25 matchup.
That isn’t the case. The Badgers have been tripped up twice already, but it still is a very intriguing game. Former Buckeye Luke Fickell inherited a Wisconsin program that didn’t quite fit his style of play, and it has shown during his first season.
Their air raid offense just does not have the personnel to run it at the moment, but that doesn’t mean Wisconsin isn’t a dangerous team. Find out below which Badgers could give Ohio State some problems on Saturday evening.
Running back Braelon Allen
Looking more and more like Braelon Allen will be RB 1. pic.twitter.com/VeivytQYqE
— Felix Sharpe (@sharpereview) October 22, 2023
Why
The junior will eclipse the 1,000-yard mark this season, which make it every year that he’s accomplished that feat. This year Allen has become much more of a receiving threat, as he’s caught as many passes this year than his first two combined. That hasn’t taken anything away from his running ability; he’s averaging nearly 6 yards per carry this season with 8 touchdowns. Allen is a load, at 6 feet, 2 inches and 245 pounds. Fortunately for the Buckeyes, they’ve faced a bruising back this year and fared well.
Linebacker Darryl Peterson
2023 taking everything personal🫡
📸: @ chefjaron pic.twitter.com/kYoHNCwPxY
— Darryl Peterson (@_DPETERSON10) January 28, 2023
Why
Peterson runs hot and cold, and he was on fire against Illinois last weekend. He racked up 5 tackles along with 1.5 sacks as a one-man wrecking crew. Peterson does a great job of rushing the passer from the edge, so the Buckeye offensive tackles and running backs have to put a hat on him.
Cornerback Ricardo Hallman
ARE YOU SERIOUS?! 🤯@ricardohallman6 runs 95-yards for a pick six for @BadgerFootball
💻: Peacock pic.twitter.com/Z8JpyvABbM
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 7, 2023
Why
An absolute ballhawk, Hallman already has 4 interceptions on the year. One of them was taken back for a 95-yard return (see above). So not only is he shutting down receivers, he’s putting points on the board for the Badgers. Hallman has as many passes broken up as he does picks, so he’s not a one-trick pony. You have to assume he’s going to trail around Marvin Harrison Jr., who is a tough task for any defender.
Quarterback Braedyn Locke
Big time throw here from Braedyn Locke in crunch time for #Badgers yesterday. First start in place of Tanner Mordecai #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/vaAEqhb3lp
— Clint Brewster (@clintbrew247) October 22, 2023
Why
Not the player that I expected to put here, however, Tanner Mordecai is injured so Locke will get his second consecutive start for Wisconsin. A freshman, he’s more of a wild card than anything. The unknown makes him dangerous, there just isn’t much film on his skill set. Do I think he tears up the Buckeye defense? No, but he may show something they haven’t seen on film, which could result in having to make in-game adjustments.
Safety Hunter Wohler
ANOTHER INTERCEPTION❗️
INT #5 FOR @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/bREE6Yegd3
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 16, 2023
Why
The Badgers leading tackler with 70, Wohler does a bit of everything for this defense. He has a sack, two interceptions and four other passes broken up. He has linebacker size with defensive back speed. Wohler has very good ball skills, so Kyle McCord will have to identify him during his pre-snap reads.
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