Invincible Ohio State Buckeyesnow 6-0, back on the road this week and heading to Madison, Wisconsin to face a 2-4 team. Wisconsin Badgers. Ohio State enters the game as a 25.5-point favorite at Camp Randall Stadium, where they will look to score another goal. Big Ten win this Saturday at 3:30 pm ET.
Each week we look at the game from multiple angles. One way to do that is to point out why Ohio State is well positioned to take care of business and come away with a win. That's exactly what we're doing again this week.
Here are five reasons why we think Buckeyes will come out on top Saturday afternoon in Madison against Badgers.
Wisconsin Quarterback Game
Wisconsin opened the season with Billy Edwards Jr. as the starting cornerback, but a leg injury in the season opener has sidelined him since. The Badgers were in quarterback limbo, shuffling through their options in search of stability under center. Edwards attempted a comeback in Week 4 against his former team, Maryland, but was eliminated during Wisconsin's second drive and hasn't played since.
In his absence, Danny O'Neal and Hunter Simmons took the reins, but neither provided much of a spark. O'Neal threw for 640 yards, 5 touchdowns and 5 interceptions while being sacked 13 times. Simmons passed for 329 yards through the air with one touchdown, three interceptions and just one sack. Inconsistency at quarterback has been a glaring weakness for the Badgers, and it looks like Edwards Jr. won't be available this week either. Head coach Luke Fickell said Saturday he doesn't have a clear idea when Edwards will be ready to return.
This plays right into the hands of Ohio State's defense. The Buckeyes, already the best in the country, will now get a chance to face a backup quarterback. Expect defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to use a variety of exotic looks and pressure packages to keep the Wisconsin offense on balance all day.
Ohio State's three-headed monster on defense.
Every week it gets harder not to talk about Ohio State's defense. They were nothing short of dominant and a huge part of that success goes to the trio Caleb Downs in safety and midfield duo Sonny Stiles And Bill Reese. All three are projected to be top-20 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, and Reese is starting to receive serious top-five buzz.
Reese has been compared to Micah Parsons in recent weeks, and the numbers back it up. He has 38 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two passes defensed, all while displaying rare versatility. It's amazing to think that just last season, Reese struggled to see the field in Jim Knowles' defense and was considered more of a rotation player. Fast forward to now and he is being talked about as one of the best linebackers in the country. He can screen, stuff and rush the passer at an elite level.
Next to him is Sonny Styles, who also has 38 tackles and a forced fumble. Styles wears a green dot on his helmet, which means he is the one calling the plays and lining up the defensive line. He is the emotional and mental anchor of this unit and his leadership is evident in every frame.
Caleb Downs was equally impressive at safety, making 28 tackles and an interception. We learned not to experience grievances often. He has elite instincts on the boundary and is constantly adding support. While the cornerback position may not have as much value in the NFL as the linebacker position, Downs is widely considered to be the best safety in the draft class and should still have his name called early in the first round.
This group is the heart of Ohio State's top defense and a big reason why the Buckeyes continue to beat their opponents week after week.
Ryan Day's Unique Position at Ohio State
Ohio State's 2025 team feels different than we've expected in recent years. Typically, the Buckeyes field one of the most explosive offenses in the country, loaded with elite receivers, a big dual-threat quarterback, a dominant running game and a strong defense to top it off. While this year's team still has some of those pieces, the overall formula has changed.
They still have elite talent out there. Jeremiah Smith And Carnell Tatebut neither currently ranks among the top 20 in the country in receiving yards. The current game was stable, but far from dominant. And a freshman quarterback Julian Sayin this is not your typical Ohio State quarterback. He's not a dual threat and doesn't add flashy numbers to the scoreboard.
So what makes this team so effective and so dangerous despite not yet leading in any major statistical category in 2025? It all comes down to playing smart and effective football. Ohio State has the best defense in the country, allowing just 6.8 points per game, and has yet to score a first-half touchdown this season. This level of defensive dominance allowed Sain to settle in and play games with composure. He may not fill out the highlight reels, but he leads the country in completion percentage by taking what the defense gives him and trusting his readings.
Smith and Tate continue to play at an elite level, consistently creating separation and giving Saiin reliable targets at key moments. The running game took a while to get into its rhythm, but the freshman Bo Jackson is starting to emerge as a real factor in the backfield.
Ryan Day deserves credit for the way he formed and coached this group. He has instilled discipline, focus and resilience into a team that does not chase statistics, but simply wins football games. He doesn't overlook opponents, doesn't beat himself, and plays with the level of consistency that has defined Ohio State football in 2025.
Brian Hartline's strong start as offensive coordinator for Ohio
New offensive coordinator Brian Hartline did an excellent job leading the Ohio State offense in the first half of the season. The Buckeyes are averaging 36.8 points per game and totaling 421.5 yards per contest. The offense found a rhythm under Hartline, and his approach was particularly effective in helping freshman quarterback Julian Sayin settle into the role.
Sain threw just three interceptions and was sacked only twice in six games. Hartline kept his game plans simple and effective, not asking too much of his young quarterback too early. This strategy has allowed Sayin to remain calm in the pocket, make smart decisions and show steady progress week in and week out.
It was a winning formula. With a dominant defense that consistently gives hitters excellent field position, Hartline's job becomes a little easier. Expect Ohio State to open Saturday's game against Wisconsin with a balanced attack, relying on the run and quick intermediate throws to get into a rhythm. As the game progresses, this approach will likely open up long-range shooting opportunities for Jeremy Smith, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss.
Hartline's playing calling was smart, patient and efficient, and he played a big role in the Buckeyes' success this season.
Ohio State's winning streak against Wisconsin
Ohio State enters this weekend on a ten-game winning streak over Wisconsin and hasn't lost to the Badgers since the 2010-11 season. This game remains the only blemish on the Buckeyes' record that year and was former head coach Jim Tressel's final season. His departure led to Luke Fickell taking over as interim head coach. Now, more than a decade later, Fickell is Wisconsin's full-time head coach and will host his former team in Madison on Saturday.
It's a full-circle moment, but Fickel's circumstances are far from ideal. Since taking over in Madison, his tenure has not gone according to plan. He owns a 15-17 overall record at Wisconsin and is firmly in the hot seat as the program struggles to find its footing in 2025. A win over Ohio State would go a long way in changing the narrative, but dealing with such an upset is easier said than done.
Fickell's team will face the best defense in the country while acquiring a backup quarterback. It's not an easy task, and while the Badgers will do their best to play spoiler, the Buckeyes are the clear favorites for a reason.
Contact us/follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our Facebook page for ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
