It’s all about the defensive backs and running backs for Wisconsin against the No. 3 team in the country.

By Nathan Denzin, BADGER STRIPES

It’s no secret the Badgers are big underdogs against No. 3 Ohio State this weekend. It’s been several years since they weren’t.

But that doesn’t mean an upset can’t happen – and college football has been known to give us one from time to time.

Somehow, Wisconsin controls its own destiny in the Big Ten West despite an ugly loss to Iowa, making this game extra important. Win, and the Badgers have a leg up on the rest of the mediocre division – lose and we’re right back in the thick of things.

Ohio State is elite this year for a number of reasons, but if Wisconsin wants to succeed it must start at the defensive end of the field.

Contain the passing game

Buckeyes QB Kyle McCord is approaching 2,000 passing yards this season already, averaging out to about 285 yards a game. The talented junior has 12 touchdowns to just a single interception this season.

He’s also got a near perfect passer rating while completing nearly 64% of his throws.

Ohio State has potentially the second-best player in college football in WR Marvin Harrison Jr.. He’s widely considered the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft (behind Caleb Williams) after racking up 1,200 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

This season, Harrison Jr. has more than 750 yards and six touchdowns, nearly half of the total air yards for the Buckeyes and half the touchdowns.

McCord’s worst game this season, against then-No. 9 Notre Dame in week 4. The Fighting Irish neutralized the Buckeyes’ air superiority, holding Ohio State’s star QB without a touchdown and just 240 passing yards (which would still be one of the Badgers’ top quarterback performances this year). They forced the Buckeyes to beat them on the ground.

The 17-14 win was OSU’s smallest margin of victory this season. Wisconsin’s secondary will need to be locked in to emulate the Irish and keep the game close.

In particular, Hunter Wohler must play a huge role in this game, providing help over the top against deep throws. If Ohio State can dink and dunk around the field, that’s okay, but Wohler and his fellow safeties will need to protect Wisconsin from chunk plays.

As to who covers Harrison Jr. I’d guess Ricardo Hallman, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Alexander Smith on him. Whoever draws the assignment, they’ll likely need help from the safeties to keep the scary Ohio State passing game in check.

Get back to the run game

On the offensive side of the ball, Wisconsin must lean on its run game for a second straight game. While freshman QB Braedyn Locke looked decent against Illinois, Ohio State is a much better team.

The Buckeyes have 33 pass breakups to go with five interceptions on the year, while facing two top 10 teams in the process. They’ve also tallied 14 sacks, good for a couple a game.

If the Badgers want to avoid interceptions and sacks, short dropbacks and quick throws are a must. The run game will be even more important.

Braelon Allen must put on his best cleats for the afternoon, both to help drain the clock and move the Badgers up the field. The 19-year-old junior is the only running back in college football to average more than 100 yards rushing per game, incredible considering the uptick in passes for the Badgers this year.

It feels cliche to pick Wisconsin’s dominant running back to be the player that needs to perform, but the Badgers don’t have a chance without him.

One last thing: Wisconsin desperately needs a loud and ruthless atmosphere in Camp Randall. Usually I’m the kind of guy to dismiss concerns about students not filling seats at kickoff, but we need everyone there there Saturday.

If the Badgers start the game flat, they’re going to find themselves down 7-0 or 14-0 early. That’s not a hole the team will be able to dig themselves out of, and by then the crowd would be completely deflated.

So get there early, be loud, and let’s hope for the big upset.

Badger Stripes is a sports news organization that provides in-depth coverage of Wisconsin athletics. Follow us on Facebook.