Report: Ohio State CB Denzel Burke expected to return for Wisconsin game

Ohio State fans woke up to some good news Saturday morning ahead of their game against Wisconsin, as ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that star cornerback Denzel Burke is likely to return today. Along with TreVeyon Henderson, the Buckeyes are getting back a big piece on both the offensive and defensive sides of the football. Here was the report from Thamel, which he tweeted out:

“Corner Denzel Burke is expected to return for the Buckeyes after missing last week. OSU has made clear already this week that star RB TreVeyon Henderson will return.”

The Burke news is huge for an Ohio State defense that’s been lights-out to start the year — with the star cornerback having a pretty large hand in that development. Burke initially went down a couple of weeks ago during the Purdue win and then had to miss last week’s contest vs. Penn State.

Luckily, the Buckeye defense held down the fort in his absence and led a stellar victory over the Nittany Lions. Now, the elite corner is set to be back on the field.

ESPN’s Rece Davis picks Ohio State to cover vs. Wisconsin

Now, the Buckeyes and Badgers will square off in, effectively, the Luke Fickell bowl. Ohio State is a 14.5-point favorite in the game, according to FanDuel, although Fickell said Wisconsin might be starting to put it all together after last week’s win.

ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis is picking the Buckeyes to cover that spread, though, because they have a weapon no other team has: Marvin Harrison Jr.

“Wisconsin feels as if it turned a corner,” Davis said on the College GameDay podcast. “Luke Fickell felt that way after rallying against Illinois. But my question is, why in the world are you in position to have to rally against Illinois? It’s a feel-good moment, for sure. And I know the Buckeyes are still figuring some things out offensively, outside of throwing to 18 — which should be the first line of the game plan, should be, throw to 18.

“Am I in trouble? Throw it to 18. Am I wanting to put the game away? Throw it to 18. Is he single-covered? Throw it to 18. If he’s double-covered? Does he have half step? Throw it to 18. Get the ball to him. Run some more him plays. When in doubt, throw the ball to him. ‘Him,’ being Marvin Harrison Jr. I just don’t see Wisconsin scoring enough to stay within there. I’ll take Ohio State and lay it pretty easily.”