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Wisconsin vs. Ohio State, Big Ten Championship Game preview, predictions, viewing info

By Charles Rahrig V

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 25: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers carries the ball for a touchdown after avoiding a tackle by Jacob Huff #2 and Antonio Shenault #34 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the fourth quarter of the game on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 25: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers carries the ball for a touchdown after avoiding a tackle by Jacob Huff #2 and Antonio Shenault #34 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the fourth quarter of the game on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Keys for Wisconsin

Wisconsin, of course, has everything to gain and everything to lose in this Big Ten Championship Game. With a chance to go to the College Football Playoff on the line, they are going to have to be perfect the entire way.

That of course means not turning the ball over, which has been a huge problem for the Badgers all season. For a team with an undefeated record, one wouldn’t expect them to have the issues holding onto the football that they do.

It’s one thing to do it against the opponents in the Big Ten West, but it’s another to turn the ball over against Ohio State. In the Buckeyes’ biggest wins this season, they have turned games around because of their knack to make the big play defensively when it counts.

Jonathan Taylor is going to have to hold onto the football and Alex Hornibrook can’t force any bad passes against a secondary that will almost assuredly make him pay for doing so if he does. A clean 60 minutes will be necessary.

Defensively, they have to get to J.T. Barrett immediately. The quarterback isn’t fully healthy, and they’ll know right away if he’s mobile enough to escape the pocket and make plays. The Badgers have one of the best run defenses in the nation. If they don’t allow Barrett out of the pocket, they’ll gain a huge advantage.

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