Ohio State Vs. Wisconsin: Buckeye-Badger Breakdown

Wisconsin's offense is a direct decedent of the one-back offenses pioneered by Joe Gibbs with the Washington Redskins and Dennis Erickson at the college level.

Wisconsin operates almost entirely from '12' personnel (1 RB, 2TE). Though at first glance it may seem like a one-back offense is more geared for passing, coaches like Erickson went to the one-back offense to run the football. A one-back formation theoretically makes running the football easier in two ways. First, with 12 personnel it creates an 8th gap that the defense must defend. (H/T: Brophy).

Second, it presents the defense with four immediate vertical threats, forcing defenses to often respond with 2-high safeties. These two components stretch the defense out, creating more running lanes for talented tailbacks with vision.