This B1G Title game didn’t have as many compelling story lines as previous years. It certainly didn’t have the sizzle or steak of last year’s #2 vs #10, 24 game unbeaten streak on the line, Rose Bowl berths hang in the balance affair. With the Wisconsin Badgers qualifying for the third time in the four years that this event has been in existence; and the Ohio State Buckeyes making their second consecutive appearance, it felt like a “re-run.”
It had some San Antonio Spurs vs Miami Heat, “been there, done that” feel, just with more red. So while it was less exciting than in years past, it still had potential given that Wisconsin was favored by just 4.
How wrong we were.
B1G Championship Game: Worst. Episode. Ever.
“We play 5 quarters here.” — a motto of Wisconsin Badgers football.
Tonight they actually played zero.
While we expected this conference championship to be less than sexy as Saturday began…..no one thought it end up this hideously ugly. This was one was over by the end of the first quarter. Lots of fans got up at halftime and never returned. Who could blame them? Especially the Wisconsin Badgers fans. Through three quarters, Bucky was outscored 45-0 and out-gained 429-171. Ezekiel Elliot had 160 yards rushing and 2 TDs on just 19 carries. Devin Smith had 137 yards receiving and three TDs on just 4 receptions.
“We’ll bounce back and just go about our business,” said Wisconsin Badgers Coach Gary Andersen.
“Just one of those days,” said Wisconsin Badgers star player and record setting running back Melvin Gordon.
He then talked about moving on to the bowl game.
“We can’t let Ohio State beat us twice.”
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2