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Big Ten Championship Game: 5 most important players

By Brad Weiss

Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in overtime against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in overtime against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /
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Dec 30, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; USC Trojans tight end Tyler Petite (82) is defended by Wisconsin Badgers defensive end Chikwe Obasih (34) and defensive lineman Olive Sagapolu (65) during the second quarter in the 2015 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; USC Trojans tight end Tyler Petite (82) is defended by Wisconsin Badgers defensive end Chikwe Obasih (34) and defensive lineman Olive Sagapolu (65) during the second quarter in the 2015 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

4. NT Olive Sagapolu, Wisconsin Badgers

It was five weeks before Olive Sagapolu got back on the field, but boy did he make his presence felt this past weekend against Minnesota The big defensive lineman picked up the first sack of his career, high school or college, as he assumed his position as a dominating force inside the Badgers defensive line. The Penn State Nittany Lions run a zone-read offense that is based around Trace McSorley and running back Saquon Barkley, so getting Sagapolu back before the Big Ten Championship will prove to be huge on Saturday night.

Sagapolu broke a metacarpal bone in his hand during the Ohio State game back in October, and he has missed the team’s last five games. Prior to that, he was the backbone of the Badgers defensive line, as he is one of the better run defenders in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions are going to run their offense no matter who is manning the middle of the defensive line, which means Sagapolu will be tested time and time again in Indy.

While Sagapolu was out, his position was filled by junior Conor Sheehy and true freshman Garrett Rand. Those players are sure to play a big role in the Badgers game plan on Saturday, but with Sagapolu back, Wisconsin will have the option to  go really big up front. If Sagapolu plays up to his ability, the Nittany Lions may find it hard to run their offense, which could lead to them thinking outside of the box and making crucial mistakes.

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