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Wisconsin Football: Big Ten Power Rankings

By Tanner Nestle

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 15: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the football during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 15: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the football during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after winning the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after winning the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes are kings until somebody dethrones them. The Big Ten is as strong as its ever been since Urban Meyer got to Columbus, so it may happen sooner rather than later. Ohio State is coming off a Big Ten Championship winning season that saw it miss the College Football Playoff, so there may be revenge on the mind. That’s the last thing this super-talented program needs, as far as the rest of the conference is concerned.

The biggest question mark for Ohio State is at quarterback where J.T. Barrett is no longer in charge. He’s finally exhausted his eligibility and is passing the torch to Dwayne Haskins. After watching Meyer use three quarterbacks en route to a national championship a few short years ago, it’s hard to believe Haskins won’t be great. J.K Dobbins and Mike Weber are both back and create one of the best running back tandems in the country. If Haskins struggles, the Buckeyes will move to the ground game.

The strength of Ohio State is going to be the defensive line, led by Nick Bosa. Ohio State has put pro after pro into the NFL and never missed a beat on defense. Yet again, several Buckeyes are off to the NFL, but it’s not worth it to really nit pick the new starters. You can just count on them being good. With a pass rush led by a maniac like Bosa, the rest of the defense’s job is made easier anyway.

Ohio State has shown in the past that they’re better than everybody’s best and will likely show that again this year. It’s going to take a great effort to knock them off, especially in Indianapolis where the stakes are highest. Wisconsin put up a good fight last year, but came up just short. Is this year finally Wisconsin’s year?

Next: Top 10 Wisconsin Badgers in the NFL

How would you rank theses Big Ten programs?