Ohio State vs. Wisconsin: A Mismatch in Madison?
Presented by First Bank of Central Ohio
Can the Badgers Bite Back?
When: October 18, 2025, 3:30 PM ET
Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
TV: CBS
Line: Ohio State -25.5
The Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up for what many expect to be a lopsided showdown against the struggling Wisconsin Badgers. But here's where it gets interesting: while the Buckeyes are eyeing this game as a tune-up to refine their running game, the Badgers, led by former Buckeye coach Luke Fickell, are desperate for a spark. Will this be a routine blowout, or could Wisconsin pull off the unthinkable?
The Buckeyes’ Midseason Tune-Up
Ohio State’s season can be divided into three distinct phases, thanks to their two bye weeks. This Saturday marks the end of the second phase, and it’s shaping up to be a relatively low-stakes affair. Wisconsin, currently sitting at a dismal 2-4, has lost four straight games, including a humiliating 37-0 shutout to Iowa. Their offense is among the worst in the Power 4, averaging just 15.5 points per game. Meanwhile, Ohio State’s defense remains the nation’s stingiest, allowing only 6.8 points per contest. On paper, this looks like a mismatch—but football isn’t played on paper.
Familiar Faces, Divergent Paths
And this is the part most people miss: the intriguing subplot of Luke Fickell’s return to face his former team. Fickell, who served as Ohio State’s interim head coach in 2011 and later as co-defensive coordinator, has seen his fortunes take a dramatic turn since taking over at Wisconsin in 2023. After a 7-6 debut season, the Badgers plummeted to 5-7 in 2024 and are now off to a disastrous 2-4 start in 2025. Fickell’s postgame comments after the Iowa loss were telling: “That’s as low as it can be… I’m dumbfounded in a lot of ways.” Meanwhile, Ryan Day, who arrived at Ohio State the same year Fickell left, has led the Buckeyes to three College Football Playoff appearances in four seasons. Their contrasting trajectories add an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup.
Hometown Hero Returns
For Ohio State center Carson Hinzman, this game is personal. The Wisconsin native is returning to Madison for the second time in his Buckeye career, this time as a seasoned leader of the offensive line. In 2023, he was a criticized redshirt freshman; now, he’s a stalwart. With family and friends in attendance, Hinzman is determined to improve his record at Camp Randall. “I’m super pumped to go back and play over there,” he said. “I’m 1-1 there right now from high school, so I’ve got to beat .500.”
Running Game Renovations
Ohio State’s rushing attack has been underwhelming this season, ranking 46th nationally in yards per carry (4.7) and 62nd in rushing yards per game (160.7). Last week’s 2.9 yards per attempt against Illinois was particularly concerning. However, Day remains optimistic, noting improvements in short-yardage and red-zone situations. The return of freshman running back Bo Jackson from an ankle injury should provide a much-needed boost. But can the Buckeyes exploit Wisconsin’s run defense, which ranks 19th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (97.5) but just 41st in yards per carry (3.6)?
Defensive Dominance
Ohio State’s defense is a juggernaut, and they’re licking their chops at the prospect of facing Wisconsin’s anemic offense. The Badgers are dead last in the Big Ten in scoring and total offense, and their quarterback situation is a mess. Starter Billy Edwards Jr. is injured, leaving backups Danny O’Neil and Hunter Simmons to battle for the starting nod. Could this be the game where the Buckeyes pitch their second shutout of the season? Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald certainly thinks so. “We want to be the best defense in the country,” he said. “We can’t let people score.”
Players to Watch
- Christian Alliegro, Wisconsin LB: The lone bright spot for the Badgers, Alliegro leads the team with 42 tackles, 4 TFLs, and 2 sacks.
- Caleb Downs, Ohio State S: With Wisconsin quarterbacks throwing 8 interceptions this season, Downs could be in for a big day.
- Carson Hinzman, Ohio State C: The Wisconsin native will be looking to dominate in front of his hometown crowd.
Controversial Take: Is Fickell on the Hot Seat?
While Ryan Day continues to thrive at Ohio State, Luke Fickell’s tenure at Wisconsin is teetering on the brink. A loss to the Buckeyes could spell disaster for his future in Madison. But is it fair to judge him solely on this season’s struggles? After all, he took Cincinnati to new heights before arriving in Wisconsin. Should Badger fans give him more time, or is it time for a change? Let’s debate this in the comments.
Prediction
Ohio State’s talent and defensive prowess should overwhelm Wisconsin from the start. While the Badgers’ defense might keep things respectable early, their offense simply doesn’t have the firepower to keep up. Expect the Buckeyes to pull away in the second half, covering the 25.5-point spread with ease.
Eleven Warriors Staff Prediction: Ohio State 41, Wisconsin 3
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