I don't know if a couple months ago Wisconsin fans would have thought the Badgers would be playing for the Big Ten championship -- and be favored to win, no less - but that's where we are.
Here's the list:
Our own Jesse Temple: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 24
FOXSports.com's Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman: Mandel -- Wisconsin 38-27. "It would be one thing if J.T. Barrett’s injury occurred a month ago, giving replacement Cardale Jones time to acclimate himself to game action, but instead he makes his debut against a top-15 team in the conference championship game. Ohio State needs to make it an ugly, low-scoring game, but its defense has slipped back of late and seems unlikely to slow down Badgers star Melvin Gordon."; Feldman -- Ohio State 24-23. "Urban Meyer has to count on his (former) third-team QB Cardale Jones, who has loads of talent, a lot of speed and a solid O-line around him. The Buckeyes have endured an emotional week, and my hunch is, from being around the program for a few days this week, this group will respond to it very well. Meyer and long-time strength coach Mickey Marotti say it's as close as any team they've ever had."
The Associated Press' Ralph D. Russo: Ohio State 38, Wisconsin 28
All three Big Ten Network analysts are picking Wisconsin to win. The scores: Tom Dienhart 27-24; Sean Merriman 31-24; Brent Yarina 31-24.
Four of the nine analysts at the Columbus Dispatch are picking Wisconsin to win.
Three of the four Athlon Sports analysts are picking Wisconsin to win. The scores: David Fox, Ohio State 35-31; Braden Gall, Wisconsin 27-24; Steven Lassan, Wisconsin 27-24; Mitch Light, Wisconsin 28-21.
Whatifsports.com simulation: Wisconsin is given a 54.5% chance of winning with an average score of 19.6-18.7.
Three of the six of CBSSports.com analysts are picking Wisconsin to win. Picking the Badgers to win: Dennis Dodd, Jon Solomon and Jerry Palm. Picking Ohio State to win: Tom Fornelli, Jerry Hinnen and Chip Patterson.
Only two of six of the analysts at CFB 24/7 are picking Wisconsin to win. The scores: Gil Brandt, Wisconin 28-27; Bucky Brooks, Ohio State 30-28; Daniel Jeremiah, Ohio State 28-24; Bryan Fischer, Ohio State 27-24; Chase Goodbread, Wisconsin 24-16; Mike Huguenin, Ohio State 24-21.
Four of the six ESPN.com Big Ten contributors picked Wisconsin to win. Of those, Austin Ward has it Ohio State 31-27 and Brian Bennett has Wisconsin 27-24.
The Oklahoman's Berry Tramel: Wisconsin 30, Ohio State 20
Four of the seven analysts at USAToday.com pick Wisconsin to win.
Only two of the seven analysts at the Sporting News pick Wisconsin to win.
The Coloradoan's Stephen Meyers: Ohio State
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