Camp Randall Stadium figures to be the site of one of the premier showdowns on what the experts are calling \Separation Saturday,"" as Wisconsin (2-0 Big Ten, 5-1 overall) plays host to the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0, 5-0).??
Ohio State, No. 3 in both polls, comes to Madison riding a nation-best 19-game winning streak that dates back to last season. During the streak, the Buckeyes have won several very close games, including last year's 19-14 win against the Badgers. One reason for the streak has been Ohio State's knack for getting one or two big plays at key moments of the game. If the Badgers are to emerge victorious Saturday, it will be important for them to prevent any such plays.
""We've got to have a mistake-free game,"" junior defensive back Scott Starks said. ""They make big plays, but we have to stop their big plays and make our own plays. It's going to be a slugfest, so we've got to be on our A game.""
One of Ohio State's biggest playmakers, senior quarterback Craig Krenzel, will be playing in his first game in a month since he injured his elbow against North Carolina State. But Starks and the rest of the defense won't be underestimating the seasoned Krenzel.
""[We] expect his best, and probably even better, because they've had two weeks to prepare for us; they had a bye week."" Starks said. ""That's two weeks to heal. So I think he's going to be on the top of his game.""
In last week's victory over Penn State, the Badgers' secondary was torched for 379 yards through the air. Though Ohio State has struggled offensively this year, the team boasts an impressive corps of wideouts and Krenzel will have no shortage of targets. Wideouts senior Michael Jenkins and junior Chris Gamble and senior tight end Ben Hartsock all have the potential to give the Badger secondary fits Saturday night. Starks feels the only way for the Badgers to avoid another air show by the opposition is if the secondary plays on the same page and follows the coaches' game plan.
Things won't be any easier for the Badgers on the other side of the ball as Ohio State boasts one of the nation's toughest defenses. The Buckeyes' defense is allowing only a meager 1.5 yards per carry this season and is ranked second in the Big Ten against the run. Conversely, the Badgers have the second best rushing attack in the conference with the combination of running backs junior Anthony Davis, sophomore Dwayne Smith and freshman Booker Stanley accounting for most of the team's 222.5 yards per game. While the top ball carrier has been different from game to game, the big men upfront have consistently impressed.
""We really don't care, as a line, who's running,"" junior offensive lineman Donovan Raiola said. ""We're taught to do our jobs ... and block where we're supposed to block. If we do our job, [the backs] will find their way through... Ohio State [has] a great defense, and we've just got to do our job.\
