The Badger game plan is simple: Stop the run. Carrying out that plan is going to be a bit more difficult. It hasn't been an easy task for any team to stop Ohio State freshman running back Maurice Clarett this year, who has already racked up 15 touchdowns.
It is evident that the Badger defense needs to be able to stop Clarett and the rest of the running game if they plan to stop the high-powered Buckeye offense, which has averaged 38 points a game this season. Ohio State (2-0 Big Ten, 7-0 overall) comes into Camp Randall ranked No. 4 in the nation and looking for revenge after the Badgers upset the Buckeyes 20-17 last season.
The Badgers, meanwhile, (0-2 Big Ten, 5-2 overall) are coming off a disappointing 32-29 loss to Indiana last Saturday after blowing a 19-point second half lead.
\When you have a difficult defeat you have to cut it loose and let go of it and move forward and get on to the next game and get full concentration on the next game as soon as you can,"" Head Coach Barry Alvarez said.
With Clarett and sophomore running back Lydell Ross, Ohio State has one of the most lethal backfield combinations in the nation. The Badger defensive line dominated the Indiana offensive line with five sacks last weekend and hopes to contain the two Buckeye running backs while still getting pressure on Ohio State senior quarterback Craig Krenzel.
""Wisconsin, in my mind, brings a very physical, well-schooled football team,"" OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel said. ""You know it's going to be turned on the ebb and flow of ... emotion and mistakes and big plays.""
The defensive line has to get to Clarett early in the game and try to force him to make some mistakes, as he had three fumbles in the Buckeyes' 26-17 win at Northwestern Oct. 5.
While much of the attention goes toward the OSU offense, its defense has dominated as well. The defense is only allowing an average of 14.8 points per game. Senior safety Mike Doss has been spectacular this season with 48 tackles and an interception.
""Doss is everything he is built to be, he is what you would draw up as a strong safety,"" Alvarez said.
The Badgers will look to get back on track on the road to a bowl game this weekend.
