Generally speaking, the key to pulling off an upset win is to start strong and stay with your opponent. The unranked Wisconsin Badgers did not follow that model in their trip to Columbus to take on the third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday.
Ohio State opened the game with an 88-yard touchdown drive that took only six plays. Tanner McCalister intercepted a pass from Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz on the ensuing possession, and two plays later, C.J. Stroud connected with Cade Stover for a 13-yard touchdown pass, the first of Stover’s college career. After the Badgers went three-and-out, the Buckeyes went back to work, scoring on a seven-play, 70-yard drive that was capped off by another pass from Stroud to Stover.
The first quarter ended with the Buckeyes up 21-0. The college football world took note of Ohio State’s complete dominance over their Big Ten rivals.
It’s the first quarter and Ohio State could comfortably pull their starters.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 25, 2022
Things didn’t get any better for the Badgers in the opening moments of the second quarter. The first quarter ended with Ohio State in Wisconsin territory. Then, on the fourth play of the second quarter, the Buckeyes were back in the end zone on a three-yard touchdown run from Miyan Williams.
If this pace continues, the Buckeyes and their fans may be clamoring for the black jerseys in more games going forward.