Ohio State, Penn State have key Big 10 games

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

For teams that don’t classify themselves as rivals, Wisconsin and Ohio State sure don’t seem to like each other much.

Harsh words are traded, grudges are held, classic games are played.

And now they both have the season riding on the outcome of Saturday’s showdown at Ohio Stadium.

“We always say you can’t play football without emotion,” Buckeyes linebacker Etienne Sabino said. “So as far as this game, in particular, I don’t know, maybe the night game might hype it up a little bit more. But it’s always going to be emotional.”

The 12th-ranked Badgers (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten), trying their best to put last week’s stunning, last-second loss to Michigan State in the rearview mirror, are hoping to get back into the national championship picture while also setting themselves up in the conference. The Buckeyes (4-3, 1-2) can still salvage a year in which they’ve fought off NCAA probes, suspensions and setbacks.

The stakes are high. So are the emotions.

“For us, it comes down to going to Ohio State this week and taking care of business,” Wisconsin offensive lineman Travis Frederick said.

In addition, these are teams that after years of domination by Ohio State have settled into a comfortable competition, trading big wins and bragging rights. Over the last 10 meetings, each has won five times.

Ohio State defensive tackle John Simon said the Buckeyes were not out for revenge after last year’s painful defeat.

“We’re not focusing on that game at all; it’s all about this year,” he said. “They’re a completely different team. Last year’s in the past. We learned from it, we made those corrections. It’s a new game this Saturday.”

PENN STATE-ILLINOIS

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.

The flashes of numbing pain increased for Silas Redd as he drew more carries, sensations he likened to getting hit on the funny bone but felt in his whole arm.

The “stinger” issues that bothered the second-year tailback against Northwestern haven’t been serious enough to keep the tailback off the practice field — let alone Saturday’s game against Illinois. Not when Redd and No. 21 Penn State want to prove their 7-1 start is no fluke.

Redd is part of a group of sophomores and juniors who have stepped up to fill key voids and help the Nittany Lions (4-0 Big Ten) take the Leaders Division lead midway through the conference schedule.

“Some people are telling me we still haven’t gotten any respect, people calling it a fluke game,” Redd said Wednesday, referring to last week’s 34-24 win against Northwestern. “We’re trying to build our own destiny here.”

Redd has fulfilled expectations by running for a Big Ten-leading 869 yards on 165 carries.