As the Wisconsin Badgers close out the non-conference season for 2014, they will see another opponent that is difficult to make out. On the one hand it is 2-2 and is a member of arguably the best conference that isn’t in the “Power 5” — the American Athletic Conference (AAC for short).
That being said, this Bulls team has also been slapped around good by N.C. State and beaten by a Maryland team still finding its sea legs so to speak.
It makes for an intriguing matchup, and one that the Bulls hope is more like it’s last performance on defense against UConn, than the beatdown from the Wolfpack.
Let’s take a look at how the Bulls stack up defensively ahead of Saturday.
Starters: (2014 season stats/honors)
DT: Eric Lee – Jr. (6-3, 248) – 12 tackles, 2 tackles for loss
NT: Todd Chandler – Sr. (6-0, 321) – 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries
DT: Elkino Watson – Sr. (6-2, 291) – 7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
OLB: Reshard Cliett – Sr. (6-2, 235) – 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble
ILB: Auggie Sanchez – RFr. (6-2, 241) – 15 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 PBU
– CFPA National Linebacker of the Week – HM (9/7)
ILB: Nigel Harris – So. (6-0 220) – 26 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
– CFPA National Linebacker of the Week – HM (9/7)
OLB: Tashon Whitehurst – Jr. (6-3, 225) – 17 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack
CB: Johnny Ward – So. (6-0, 178) – 13 tackles, 1 interception, 2 PBUs, 1 fumble recovery
CS: Jamie Byrd – Jr. (5-11, 184) – 31 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 2 PBUs, 1 forced fumble
OS: Nate Godwin So. – (5-10, 202) – 23 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
CB: Chris Dunkley – Sr. (6-0, 188) – 14 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 3 PBUs, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble
– Paul Hornung Award Watch List, CFPA Kick Returner Trophy Watch List, Athlon Preseason All-AAC Second Team PR, Phil Steele’s Preseason All-AAC Fourth Team KR
Team Rankings: (Stat/AAC/National) *according to CFBstats.com
Total Defense: 378.3ypg/7th/60th
Scoring Defense: 29.5ppg/8th/93rd
Passing Defense: 234.3ypg/7th/72nd
Rushing Defense: 142ypg/5th/62nd
– Last week the numbers suggested that Bowling Green would be better against the run than the pass, but that didn’t exactly pan out. However, after watching USF over the course of the past few weeks it’s clear that they are much more stout overall on defense. However, the question is can they hold up over four quarters against a big offensive line. There’s room to exploit the Bulls, especially since they gave up 166 yards to a Maryland team that can’t run without quarterback C.J. Brown and haven’t faced any top opposition just yet on the schedule.
3 Keys to Success:
1. Don’t Turn the Ball Over: It’s the age old coaches speak to say “we have to protect the football and not turn the ball over.” One look at what happened in the first half of the Bowling Green game for Wisconsin, combined with the 11 turnovers forced by USF, and you can see why this is going to be of utmost importance. The Bulls are a ball-hawking defense and that means Tanner McEvoy can’t make errant throws or he’ll pay for them.
2. Continue to Pound the Football: Sure, USF’s stats show a very respectable football team against the run. After all, the Bulls have only given up an average of 3.5 yards a carry. That doesn’t tell the full story for a team that’s played mighty Western Carolina and UConn (in a torrential downpour) to buoy against giving up 315 yards to N.C. State. If the Wolfpack can do that, Wisconsin needs to (and should) have a field day on the ground.
3. Complete a Pass of 40 Yards or Longer: We’ve heard all week from the coaches and players about the development of the passing game, but the one aspect we haven’t seen yet is a good deep passing game. The Badgers’ longest pass this season is a 37-yarder from McEvoy to tight end Sam Arneson against Western Illinois. UW needs to prove on film to opposing defenses that it can be a serious threat to hit the deep ball, and doing it before Big Ten season would be very helpful.
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