What to Expect

Alabama relies on its passing game, and in all but two games this season it has had more receiving yards than rushing yards. It had a high of 288 rushing yards against West Virginia and a low of 66 against Arkansas. T.J. Yeldon has been dealing with ankle and hamstring injuries, so he may be limited in this game. In the passing game Alabama had a high of 430 against Florida Atlantic and a low of 161 against Arkansas. Cooper can be defended and in the Arkansas game he only had two receptions for 22 yards, and Alabama was fortunate to win the game. In the loss to Ole Miss he had 91 yards, but none of the receptions resulted in a touchdown. Ohio State can allow Cooper to catch the ball, but he can't reach the endzone. Look for Alabama to have 150 rushing yards and 200 passing yards.

Alabama has a strong rushing defense, but the passing defense has struggled at times. The rushing defense limited Texas A&M to 31 rushing yards, although A&M is not known for its rushing offense. Alabama never allowed a team to run for over 183 yards, and it only allowed over 150 yards in three games. This season it has only allowed three rushing touchdowns. The pass defense is a different story, with nine teams passing for over 200 yards, including 365 yards by West Virginia and 456 yards by Auburn. Look for Ohio State to have 200 rushing yards and 250 passing yards. Ohio State will win with a final score of 31-24.

Things to Watch

College Football Playoff

Oregon and Florida State will play on January 1 at 4:30 PM in the Rose Bowl, which is the first semifinal in the playoff. Ohio State and Alabama will play at 8:30 PM in the Sugar Bowl. The Championship game will occur on January 12 at Reliant Stadium (Jerry World) in Arlington, Texas.

Sugar Bowl

This is the 81st Sugar Bowl Classic, with Alabama making its 15th appearance, most recently the 2014 game against Oklahoma. This will be Ohio State's fifth appearance and the official record is 1-2 with the 2010 victory over Arkansas vacated. Ohio State lost to LSU in the BCS national championship which also occurred in the Superdome in 2007.

Scouting the Crimson Tide

Alabama finished the season with a record of 12-1 (7-1 SEC) with victories over West Virginia, Florida Atlantic, Southern Miss, Florida, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi St., Western Carolina, Auburn, and Missouri. The lone loss was on the road at Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide averages 209 rushing yards/game, 281 passing yards, and 37 points. Alabama has limited teams to 88 rushing yards/game, 223 passing yards, and 16 points.

Offense

Blake Sims has completed 64% of his passes for 3250 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He has also rushed for 321 yards and six touchdowns. At running back is T.J. Yeldon who has 932 yards and ten touchdowns. Yeldon has been limited this season with hamstring and ankle injuries. Also splitting time at running back is Derick Henry with 895 yards and ten touchdowns. Both running backs have a limited role in the passing game. At receiver is Amari Cooper, winner of the Biletnikoff award as the nation's outstanding receiver. Cooper has carried the load for the team with 1656 reception yards and 14 touchdowns, which is almost half the yards and touchdowns the team has in receptions. Behind Cooper are DeAndrew White, Christion Jones, and O.J. Howard. Jones also returns kicks. White is the senior leader in the receiving team, but he was limited this season with a shoulder injury and a tight hamstring.

Defense

Landon Collins leads the team with three interceptions and 91 tackles. Xzavier Dickson has eight sacks for 37 yards. Geno Smith starts at free safety but his playing time may be limited to obvious passing situations. Also at safety is Nick Perry who had twelve tackles against Mississippi St. Jarran Reed is a junior college transfer and he has made an immediate impact on the defensive live. Reggie Ragland is a first year starter at linebacker and he was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award and was first team All-SEC.

OSU Last Game

Cardale Jones had a career day in his first start as quarterback at Ohio State. He was 12 of 17 for 257 yards and three touchdowns. Ohio State stunned Wisconsin with a shutout score of 59-0.Ezekiel Elliott contributed a carer high 220 rushing yards. Devin Smith also had a big day with four receptions for 137 yards and three touchdowns. The defense was stout against Heisman candidate and the nation's leading rusher Melvin Gordon, limiting him to 26 rushes for 76 yards. The victory propelled Ohio State into the College Football Playoff.

The Coaches

Urban Meyer
In the 12th season of his coaching career Urban Meyer's record is 140-26. Meyer is 36-3 at Ohio State, after going 12-0 in his first season. He earned his graduate degree from Ohio State and worked with the team as a graduate assistant under Earle Bruce from 1986-1987. He was an assistant coach at Illinois State under former OSU defensive coordinator Jim Heacock. He later re-joined Earle Bruce at Colorado St. In 1996 he was hired as an assistant coach under Lou Holtz at Notre Dame, and he remained with Notre Dame through 2000. In 2001 he started his head coaching career at Bowling Green and in two years he had a record of 17-6. He was hired at Utah in 2003. In his first year Utah won its bowl game, and during the second year the team was undefeated and won the Fiesta Bowl. He was 22-2 in two years at Utah. He had a record of 65-15 during his six years at Florida, including two BCS National Championships.

Nick Saban

In his 8th season at Alabama Nick Saban has a record of 86-16 and his career record is 177-58 in 19 seasons. He graduated from Kent State where he played defensive back. He started his coaching career in 1972 as a graduate assistance at Kent State. He was an assistant coach on defense at Kent State, Syracuse, West Virginia, Ohio State, Navy, Michigan State, Houston Oilers (NFL), Toledo, and the Cleveland Browns (NFL). Saban started his head coaching career at Michigan State in 1995, then he he coached at LSU from 2000-2004 which includes the 2003 national championship. He briefly coached in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins and he returned to the college level at Alabama in 2006, where he has three national championships.

The Series

Alabama leads this series 3-0 with victories in the 1978 Sugar Bowl, 1986 Kickoff Classic, and the 1995 Citrus Bowl.

Guest Panel-Regular Season Final Standings

Congrats to W.T. for his victory in the Buckeye Pregame Guest Panel Regular Season Competition! He will receive an OSU shirt and a certificate. There wasn't much movement in the final standings. W.T. has held first place since week 13. Funtik moved into to a tie with Philly Cheese at second place.

Thanks to the entire guest panel for another great season of picks and funny and insightful commentary.

The bowl games are around the corner, and the games will soon be posted. Everyone will have a clean slate for the bowl game competition, which will have its own champion.

Final Standings:

1. W.T. (60-30) (4-2 last week)
2. Philly Cheese (59-31) (4-2 last week)
2. Funtik the Hog (59-31) (5-1 last week)
4. Corso (58-32) (4-2 last week)
5. SPAM (57-33) (5-1 last week)

6. Old Bag of Man (56-34) (5-1 last week)
7. Hudy (54-36) (3-3 last week)

7. Big Dog (54-36) (4-2 last week)
9. Cliff Diving Raoul (52-38) (2-4 last week)
9. Mel Kiper's Hair (52-38) (4-2 last week)

11. Academic Fraud (51-39) (4-2 last week)
12. Ice Bucket (48-42) (2-4 last week)

What to Expect

Wisconsin is close to be undefeated, as it lead 24-7 against LSU early in the third quarter but it lost by four points, and Melvin Gordon ran for 259 rushing yards in the six point loss to Northwestern. Wisconsin will run the ball and Melvin Gordon has dominated virtually every defense. He had a season low of 38 yards against Western Illinois but otherwise he has exceeded 122 yards in every game with a high of 408 against Nebraska. Wisconsin will not rely on the passing game as it has only had over 200 passing yards in three games and the team only has 13 touchdown receptions. Look for Wisconsin to have 275 rushing yards and 130 passing yards.

Wisconsin has defended well against the run and pass. The Badgers kept six teams under 100 rushing yards and only one exceeded 200 yards. Wisconsin only allowed over 200 yards three times, but that does include 311 passing yards by Iowa. Look for Ohio State to have 250 rushing yards and 120 passing yards. This will be a close game, but Ohio State will come out victorious 31-28.

Scouting the Badgers

Wisconsin's record is 10-2 (7-1 B1G) with victories over Western Illinois, Bowling Green, South Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Rutgers, Purdue, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota. The Badgers lost at LSU and at Northwestern. Wisconsin averages 334 rushing yards/game, 147 passing yards, and 37 points. The defense limits teams to 103 rushing yards/game, 156 passing yards, and 16 points.

Offense

Quarterback Joel Stave has started seven straight games and has won all seven. Stave has completed 58% of his passes for 1042 yards, 8 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Wisconsin uses two quarterbacks and Tanner McEvoy has run for 288 yards with four touchdowns. McEvoy started the first five games, which included two losses. Running back Melvin Gordon leads the nation with an average of 188 yards/game and he has a B1G single season record 2,260 yards, which is fourth-most in NCAA history. He has 29 touchdowns, second-most in B1G history. At receiver are Alex Erickson, Kenzel Doe, Reggie Love, and tight ends Same Arneson and Austin Traylor.

Defense

Michael Caputo leads the team with 93 tackles and four fumble recoveries. Derick Ladisch leads the team with 8 sacks. Peniel Jean leads the team with two interceptions.

Things to Watch

College Football Playoffs

With the injury to Barrett it is possible Ohio State may miss the playoffs, even with a victory on Saturday but I still think it could jump a Big 12 team. If Ohio State wins, I predict Florida St., Oregon, Alabama, and Ohio State. If Ohio State loses, look for the Big 12 to take one spot and Baylor could jump TCU. If Florida State stumbles then the Big 12 will take a second spot. Ohio State could use the assistance of a loss by Florida State or Oregon, and both look vulnerable this weekend. If Alabama loses, the SEC will be shutout of the first edition of the playoffs.

Attendance

Ohio State ended the season as the highest home attendance with an average of 106,296, which includes a stadium record of 108,610 last week against Michigan. The second highest school was Texas A&M with an average of 105,123 and Michigan was at third with an average of 104,909.

The Coaches

Urban Meyer
In the 12th season of his coaching career Urban Meyer's record is 139-26. Meyer is 35-3 at Ohio State, after going 12-0 in his first season. He earned his graduate degree from Ohio State and worked with the team as a graduate assistant under Earle Bruce from 1986-1987. He was an assistant coach at Illinois State under former OSU defensive coordinator Jim Heacock. He later re-joined Earle Bruce at Colorado St. In 1996 he was hired as an assistant coach under Lou Holtz at Notre Dame, and he remained with Notre Dame through 2000. In 2001 he started his head coaching career at Bowling Green and in two years he had a record of 17-6. He was hired at Utah in 2003. In his first year Utah won its bowl game, and during the second year the team was undefeated and won the Fiesta Bowl. He was 22-2 in two years at Utah. He had a record of 65-15 during his six years at Florida, including two BCS National Championships.

Gary Andersen
In his second year at Wisconsin Gary Andersen has a record of 19-6 and in his seventh year as a head coach his record is 49-37. Prior to his time at Wisconsin, Andersen was the head coach at Utah State and Southern Utah. He was an assistant coach under Urban Meyer at Utah in 2004. He also held assistant coaching positions at Southern Utah, Northern Arizona, Idaho State, and Ricks College. He was an offensive lineman at Ricks College and Utah.

The Series

OSU leads 56-18-5 in this series that dates back to 1913. Ohio State has won the last three meetings.

Last Time
Ohio State won the game last year with a final score of 31-24. In a much anticipated night game in Columbus Braxton Miller threw for four touchdowns in the first half of the game. Wisconsin strayed away from its running game and Joel Stave threw for 295 yards. Receiver Jared Abbrederis made Bradley Roby work hard as he racked up 207 receiving yards and one touchdown pass. In the Buckeyes first series, Miller connected with Evan Spencer for a 25-yard touchdown. Wisconsin responded with a 36-yard touchdown pass. Ohio State scored again with Miller throwing a 26-yard pass to Devin Smith. Drew Basil kicked a 45-yard field goal in the second quarter, and Wisconsin scored on the next drive but it left enough time on the clock for Ohio State to take possession. Braxton Miller was almost intercepted but the in the next play he found Philly Brown for a 40-yard touchdown with one second left in the half. Ohio State led 24-14 at halftime. Ohio State only scored once more a short pass to Philly Brown late in the third quarter. Wisconsin scored an additional ten points to get within one touchdown but there were not enough minutes left in the game.

OSU Last Week

Ohio State beat its rival Michigan with a final score of 42-28, but it lost its starting quarterback and Heisman candidate J.T. Barrett to a season ending injury. Early in the fourth quarter Barrett broke his ankle and he will miss the rest of the season. Before his injury he led four touchdown drives which included a touchdown pass to Nick Vannett, two touchdown runs by Barrett, and a touchdown run by Ezekiel Elliott. Cardale Jones took over early in the fourth quarter and Elliott scored with a 44-yard touchdown run. Michigan had four touchdowns, with one in each quarter. The Buckeye defense limited Michigan to 121 rushing yards and 251 passing yards and Ohio State forced two turnovers.

Guest Panel-Week 15 Games and Standings

Here are the games for the Guest Panel to consider this week. Below are the standings as well. There were no changes in the top three spots as the four panelists all had 5-1 records. Only W.T. and Ice Bucket correctly predicted the Ole Miss victory and Ice Bucket was the only panelist with a 6-0 record. The competition is close in the final week, who will separate themselves from the pack?

TIEBREAKER-Please list the total number of points scored for the Big Ten Championship Game. In the event of a tie for first place, I will look to the tiebreaker and the panelist closest to the total number of points, above or below, will break the tie and win. I will only use the tiebreaker for first place.

This is the last week for the regular season competition. The Guest Panel will return with a clean slate for the bowl games.

Standings:

1. W.T. (56-28) (5-1 last week)
2. Philly Cheese (55-29) (5-1 last week)
3. Funtik the Hog (54-30) (5-1 last week)
3. Corso (54-30) (5-1 last week)
5. SPAM (52-32) (5-1 last week)

6. Hudy (51-33) (3-3 last week)
6. Old Bag of Man (51-33) (4-2 last week)

8. Big Dog (50-34) (3-3 last week)
8. Cliff Diving Raoul (50-34) (5-1 last week)
10. Mel Kiper's Hair (48-36) (5-1 last week)

10. Academic Fraud (47-37) (4-2 last week)
12. Ice Bucket (46-38) (6-0 last week)


Games for this week:

1. Wisconsin vs. Ohio State

2. Arizona vs. Oregon (Friday)

3. Alabama vs. Missouri

4. Florida St. vs. Georgia Tech

5. Kansas St. vs. Baylor
And the oddball game this week is:

6. SMU vs. Connecticut