The Series

OSU leads 55-18-5 in this series that dates back to 1913. Ohio State has won five of the last six matchups. In Columbus Ohio State leads 29-7-3.

Last Time 
Both teams were unable to move the ball effectively in the first quarter. Ohio State struck first with a 68-yard punt return up the middle by Corey Brown late in the first quarter. Early in the second quarter Ohio State drove the ball 69 yards with a critical pass reception by Devin Smith and a 15-yard touchdown run by Carlos Hyde. Ohio State had a 14-0 lead. In the next possession Wisconsin responded with an 82-yard drive in which Montee Ball racked up 40 rushing yards. Ball had 191 rushing yards by the end of the game. At halftime the score was 14-7 in favor of Ohio State. The third quarter involved both teams trading punts and not reaching the endzone. Ohio State was unable to expand the lead, and Wisconsin drove the ball 43 yards in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter. From Ohio State's three yard line, Ball rushed for one yard on third down and on 4th and 1 he jumped over the pile to meet OSU LB Ryan Shazier who forced the ball lose and into the hands of Christian Bryant who ran the ball three yards. Ohio State had the ball and the ability to run out the clock to seal a 14-7 victory, but the Buckeyes were unable to get a first down and Wisconsin preserved some minutes on the clock by using all its timeouts. After a punt, Wisconsin took over with favorable field position and after converting some first downs Wisconsin scored with a touchdown pass and eight seconds remaining on the clock. Ohio State did not score and it remained 14-14 at the end of regulation. In overtime Ohio State finally had success running the ball with two runs by Miller and two by Hyde, including a two yard run into the endzone. Ohio State led 21-14. Wisconsin was unable to convert a first down and on fourth down threw an incomplete pass which was broken up by Christian Bryant, who again was in the right place at the right time. John Simon tied the OSU record with four sacks. With the 21-14 victory, Ohio State won the Leaders Division outright. Third place Wisconsin represented the Leaders Division in the Championship Game since Ohio State and Penn State were ineligible to play.