After a , the Wisconsin Badgers (2-1) enter this weekend's matchup with Ohio State (3-0) as double-digit underdogs.The Badgers are hoping to play the role of spoiler on Saturday night in Columbus, with a . Here is a look at how the Badgers and Buckeyes compare based on some key numbers from the three weeks of the college football season:Scoring: 39.3 points per game, No. 32 in FBS, No. 6 in Big TenTotal yards: 478.7 yards per game, No. 31 in FBS, No. 6 in Big TenRushing offense: 218.3 yards per game, No. 26 in FBS, No. 5 in Big TenPa sing offense: 260.3 yards per game, No. 47 in FBS, No. 9 in Big TenTime of Po se sion: 32 minutes and 59 seconds, No. 24 in FBS, No. 3 in Big TenScoring: 47.7 points per game, No. 10 in FBS, No. 3 in Big TenTotal yards: 565.3 yards per game, No. 1 in FBS, No. 1 in Big TenRushing offense: 207 yards per game, No. 35 in FBS, No. 6 in Big TenPa sing offense: 358.3 yards per game, No. 7 in FBS,
Phillip Lindsay Jersey No. 2 in Big TenTime of Po se sion: 30 minutes and 14 seconds, No. 64 in FBS, No. 9 in Big TenWisconsin's offense is in a much better place than it was at this time last year, but there are still areas that need to improve. Quarterback Graham Mertz has looked more confident and in control of the offense through the first three games as well, with several capable targets around him. However, this weekend the
Terrance Mitchell Jersey Badgers will be going against a much more talented team and arguably the best offense in the entire country. Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is a Heisman Trophy favorite, and the Buckeyes have multiple running backs and wide receivers that can break-open a game any time they touch the football.The Badgers have done a great job of moving the ball this year and have been better at generating explosive plays. The key for the Wisconsin offense will be finishing drives and mitigating mistakes that give the ball back to Ohio State's high-powered offense this Saturday.Scoring defense: Eight points per game allowed, No. 8 in FBS, No. 4 in Big TenTotal yards allowed: 246 yards per game, No. 11 in FBS, No. 5 in Big TenRushing defense: 76 yards allowed per game, No. 13 in FBS, No. 3 in Big TenPa sing defense: 170 yards allowed per game, No. 19 in FBS, No. 4 in Big TenSacking the QB: 2.33 per game, No. 47 in FBS, No. 7 in Big
Kenyon Green Jersey TenTackles for lo s: 6.7 per game, No. 39 in FBS, No. 5 in Big TenScoring defense: 14.3 points per game allowed, No. 24 in FBS, No. 7 in Big TenTotal yards allowed: 278.7 yards per game, No. 21 in FBS, No. 7 in Big TenRushing defense: 84.3 yards allowed per game, No. 24 in FBS, No. 5 in Big TenPa sing defense: 194.3 yards allowed per game, No. 42 in FBS, No. 6 in Big TenSacking the QB: 2.67 per game, No. 27 in FBS, No. 4 in Big TenTackles for lo s: Nine per game, No. 7 in FBS, No. 1 in Big TenScroll to ContinueWisconsin and Ohio State each have attacking-style defenses that have been good through the first few weeks of the season. Jim Leonhard has the Badgers defense playing well despite losing several starters from a season ago, while new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has made significant changes to the Ohio State defense.The Wisconsin defense will have by far its biggest test of the season versus the Buckeyes, and it will be paramount that they put pre sure on C.J. Stroud to make him uncomfortable. The Ohio State offense is too good to allow Stroud time in the pocket, and the Badgers are still expected to be without Alexander Smith on Saturday.Ohio State deploys a 4-2-5 defense, meaning that the Badgers should have extra numbers in the box to potentially run the football, but it will be up to the Wisconsin offensive line to create some push and open up holes for Braelon Allen and protect Graham Mertz. The Buckeyes have a lot of talent up front, and the group has looked good against the run and in pa s-rushing situations. The Wisconsin line will need to play well to give the Badgers a chance.Special Teams/Turnovers/PenaltiesKickoff return: 34 yards per return, No. 6 in the FBS
Houston Texans Home Office , No. 1 in Big TenPunt return: 0.6 yards per return, No. 122 in the FBS, No. 13 in Big TenNet punting: 43.3 yards per punt, No. 16 in FBS, No. 5 in Big TenTurnover margin: +1.33, No. 18 in the FBS, No. 3 in Big TenPenalties per game: 7.5 per game, T-No. 93 in FBSPenalty yards: 78 yards per game, No. 115 in FBSKickoff return: 21 yards per return, No. 55 in the FBS, No. 7 in Big TenPunt return: 8.2 yards per return, No. 62 in the FBS, No. 6 in Big TenNet punting: 43.7 yards per punt, No. 10 in FBS, No. 3 in Big TenTurnover margin: +.33, No. 47 in the FBS, No. 5 in Big TenPenalties per game: 5.7 per game, T-No. 46 in FBSPenalty yards: 55 yards per game, No. 60 in FBSSpecial teams and penalties will
Reggie Robinson II Jersey each play a critical role in this Saturday's contest. The Badgers have had areas of great, with Isaac Guerendo providing a spark to the kick return unit and Andy Vujnovich being one of the best punters in college football. However, punt return and the kicking game have been inconsistent at best for the Badgers, and penalties have been an i sue all season long.Wisconsin will need to play a clean game this weekend, and big plays in special teams or forced turnovers would go a long way in helping the Badgers against one of the best teams in the nation.Make no mistake, Wisconsin will need to play great in all three phases of the game to pull off an upset in Columbus.Related links: