Big Ten Championship Preview: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin

Saturday, Dec. 6 at 8:17 p.m. ET
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana

Ohio State and Wisconsin will duke it out for conference bragging rights and a possible spot in the College Football Playoff when they meet in Indianapolis on Saturday.

The Ohio State team that will be facing Wisconsin is not the same one that earned a spot in the title game, as the Buckeyes have lost quarterback J.T. Barrett to a fractured ankle. Ohio State can no longer depend on Barrett's ability provide a score in any situation. Little-used sophomore quarterback Cardale Jones will be expected to carry Ohio State's offense in Barrett's stead. 

The Badgers were the victor of the Big Ten West Division after defeating Minnesota last week, and they are primed to beat Ohio State with star running back (and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year) Melvin Gordon pacing the offense. 

It will be quite the sight when the Badgers' fourth-ranked scoring defense clashes with Ohio State’s fifth-ranked scoring offense.

HOW THEY STACK UP: 

OHIO STATE

Record: 11-1
College Football Playoff Ranking: No. 5
Points per game: 44.1 (5th)
Points against per game: 22.9 (29th)
Total Offense: 503.4 yards per game (11th)
Passing Yards: 246.0 yards per game (50th)
Rushing Yards: 257.4 yards per game (11th) 
Total Defense: 333.8 yards per game (19th)
Passing Yards Allowed: 188.3 yards per game (17th)
Rushing Yards Allowed: 145.6 yards per game (40th)
Turnover Differential: +5 (T32nd)

WISCONSIN

Record: 10-2
College Football Playoff Ranking: No. 13
Points per game: 37.3 (16th)
Points against per game: 16.8 (4th)
Total Offense: 482.1 yards per game (20th) 
Passing Yards: 147.8 yards per game (117th)
Rushing Yards: 334.3 yards per game (2nd)
Total Defense: 260.3 yards per game (2nd)
Passing Yards Allowed: 156.6 yards per game (2nd) 
Rushing Yards Allowed: 103.8 yards per game (8th)
Turnover Differential: -2 (T72th)

WHY OHIO STATE COULD WIN: Despite losing Barrett, the Buckeyes have the rest of their explosive offense - which has won them 10 straight games - intact. Running back Ezekiel Elliott will be the key to putting points on the board, as he leads the rushing game with 1,182 yards and 11 touchdowns. Also look for Jones to connect with top receiver Devin Smith, who has racked up a team-high 662 yards and eight touchdowns. 

WHY WISCONSIN COULD WIN: The Badgers' offense racks up amazing yardage thanks to Gordon, who put up a record 408 rushing yards against Nebraska on Nov. 15 (which lasted a week before Oklahoma's Samaje Perine topped the record). He leads the nation in rushing with 2,260 yards and 26 touchdowns. Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave is also dependable and avoids mistakes, having thrown only one interception in his last seven games. 

Wisconsin is formidable on defense, ranking second in the nation in total defense and fourth in scoring defense. Ultimately, the Badgers may rush their way to a win, especially if Jones proves himself to be as green as his track record suggests. 

IMPACT PLAYER TO WATCH: CARDALE JONES, QB, OHIO STATE

Jones, third-string at the start of the season, has thrown just 17 passes in 2014. His best performance came in a win over Illinois when he completed five of nine passes for 85 yards and two scores. The largely untested sophomore will be center stage as he tries to engineer a win. 

While the discussion will center on Jones' abilities as a quarterback, the Badgers' defensive line should keep their heads on swivels should there be a turnover because the sophomore can lay an opponent out: