Wisconsin football: Paul Chryst, Badgers prepare for Ohio State

MADISON — The No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers (4-1 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) host the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0) on Saturday night under the lights of Camp Randall Stadium.

Wisconsin defeated Hawaii 28-0 last year during an evening game, but the level of competition will be raised when head coach Urban Meyer brings his team into Madison next weekend.

It’ll be another high-profile match-up for the 2016 Badgers, but one that they’ll be wearing the home jerseys for.

"I’ve always thought the games we get to play at Camp Randall are special," head coach Paul Chryst said Monday. "Certainly the night games have been really electric. I anticipate that.

"It’s up to us to give the fans some energy."

Here are more highlights from Monday’s press conference:

• On Hornibrook: Has a good understanding of what he did wrong. This week is another new challenge, new experience for him, but Chryst’s "very confident" he’ll be himself.
• Does Chryst believe he’s received explosive plays in the running game as he would like? "No."
• His evaluation of Wisconsin’s rushing offense: The running game hasn’t been consistent and haven’t had explosive plays. Noted how sometimes they’ve tried to be explosive, and those plays come, but there are some instances where they haven’t taken what’s given to them.
• On appreciating Urban Meyer and what he’s done with 2016 Buckeyes and reloading the roster: Sign of a really healthy program when you lose really good football players and continue success. What he’s done has been very impressive.
• On J.T. Barrett: Really good quarterback and a great understanding of what they’re trying to do. Compares him to a point guard — distributes ball and has poise.
• On replacing the safeties Michael Caputo and Tanner McEvoy from last year: Both Leo Musso and D’Cota Dixon have given energy to the defense, helping those around him. Have come up with big, timely plays. Those two will be challenged differently this week. Like where they’re at, but still have room to grow.

• On Ohio State’s defense and their run game: Good scheme, sound scheme -- guys who play it well. Playing with confidence, playing fast, coming off blocks. Aren’t a lot of plays in the red zone. You can see why people are having trouble against them.
• On why running back Corey Clement hasn’t broken out and being the player some expected: Looking back over the first few games, UW’s been inconsistent up front, but also he's been a little impatient at times. Talking about creating the big play instead of taking it when it presents itself. Chryst said it was good for Clement to see.
• On outside linebacker Vince Biegel helping despite being out with the fractured foot: He may not play but he’s invested in the group to try to help the team.