Ohio State Showed Their Youth And Inexperience vs Badgers

Ohio State had a tough top-10 game in prime time. Despite being the victor, their play wasn’t to the level we expect as the Voice of the Fan explains.

Wisconsin had a bye week before this week’s game versus Ohio State. Wisconsin’s rest and preparation showed in the first half through their first and second year players that fills the roster as they went up against the talented Buckeyes.

Ohio State’s defense was unable to set the edge and the Badgers took advantage. They ran around and through the defensive line, linebackers, and pretty much anyone Ohio State put on the field.

Tonight, Badgers freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook out played Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett in more ways than one! Barrett, unfortunately is still having all kinds of problems with the pass offense. Ohio State’s offensive line just isn’t doing their job and the receivers can’t separate from the defensive backs!

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Also, the Buckeyes’ play-calling has been more than suspect! There was no aggressiveness or any imagination in it at all tonight. If all they’re going to do is run Barrett and H-Back Curtis Samuel, then more long games will follow this one for Ohio State.

To that, there seemed to be a big lack of intensity in all of the Buckeyes! They appeared to be listless, which reminded me of last year’s Michigan State game.

Let’s hope Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer can figure something out. He needs to make sure a sense of urgency is already installed in his team going forward. Doing so, would make them adjustments sooner than they did tonight, perhaps partly due to a lack of enthusiasm. Ohio State cannot put themselves in half time deficits like tonight’s 16-6 score.

Things did change however, as the Buckeyes came out in the second half and looked more like the team we expect to see. They dove down the field for two touchdowns to take the lead, but the defense regressed. In turn, Wisconsin made their way down the field rather easily and scored to take a three-point lead.

The Badgers were driving near the end of the game with the score tied at 23 a piece. As that was occurring, it looked like Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley had made his second interception, but a bad call by the refs when checking the replay overturned the call.

Still, no harm was done as the Badgers ran out of downs and had to punt. OSU then ran out the clock and overtime commenced.

Barrett, overcoming two large penalties, and then threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Noah Brown to go up by seven. The pass was quite impressive, as Brown’s catch was in the back right corner of the end zone.

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Ohio State then took care of business on defense in overtime as they sacked Hornibrook on fourth and goal to secure the win. The final score was 30 to 23. Barrett ended with three total TDs and 318 yards through the air.