Redshirt sophomore center Dan Voltz is hoping his ankle will be well enough to play Saturday night when the 11th ranked Wisconsin Badgers meet 6th ranked Ohio State in Saturday night’s Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Voltz suffered an ankle injury in the regular season finale against Minnesota and didn’t practice until yesterday (Thursday) with a heavy tape job.
Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen is expecting Voltz to play, but if he can’t, the Badgers aren’t ruling out freshman Michael Deiter. Deiter hasn’t played at all this season and was planning to redshirt. But Deiter and his family are reportedly on board and willing to take one for the team if need be.
Whoever plays center for the Badgers on Saturday, they’ll be facing a pair of talented tackles in Michael Bennett and Adolphus Washington. Bennett has four sacks and 8 1/2 tackles for loss. Washington has 3 1/2 sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Bosa could be trouble
The Badgers will have to try to contend with Ohio State’s outstanding defensive end Joey Bosa in Saturday’s game. Bosa is the Big Ten’s Defensive Lineman of the Year and leads the league in sacks and tackles for loss.
AUDIO: Gary Andersen says Bosa can do it all :09
AUDIO: Gary Andersen on what makes Joey Bosa great :13
Wisconsin senior right tackle Rob Havenstein is tasked with trying to neutralize Bosa on Saturday night.
Clement is ready
Corey Clement has been playing with a painful shoulder injury, yet he still rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown on seven carries last week against Minnesota.
Clement is feeling better though and coach Gary Andersen said Clement should be ready to handle more of a load if necessary.
2016 Recruiting Class
Wisconsin received an oral commitment from 5’11, 210-pound tailback Antonio Williams from New London, North Carolina. Williams passed on offers from a number of big schools, including Auburn, Notre Dame, Florida, Michigan and South Carolina among others.