No more non-conference, time for the real games. While it was nice to experiment with a tougher non-conference opponent, the last three games have felt like the same old boring, going through the motions type games.
While Northwestern may not burn the fire of Minnesota or Nebraska or even Iowa for Badger fans, those in the know realize just how difficult it has been for any Wisconsin team in Evanston, Ill. The Wildcats weren’t highly thought of after non-conference play, but they just went to Happy Valley and put it on a previously unbeaten Penn State squad. No doubt that’s opened some eyes, but so will the realization that it’s finally defense first for the Wildcats.
Speaking of that defense, let’s do a bit of opposition research on that Northwestern defense.
Starters: (2014 season stats)
DE: Deonte Gibson – Jr. (6-3, 270) – 8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 QB hurries
DT: C.J. Robbins – Jr. (6-5, 295) – 2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 blocked kick (2 games played)
DT: Greg Kuhar – So. (6-3, 310) – 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hurry, 1 fumble recovery
DE: Dean Lowry – Jr. (6-6, 280) – 12 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 3 PBUs, 3 PD, 1 QB hurry
LB: Chi Chi Ariguzo – Sr. (6-3, 230) – 35 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 PBU, 1 PD, 1 QB hurry
LB: Collin Ellis – Sr. (6-2, 235) – 26 tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss, 0.5 sack, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 2 PD, 2 QB hurries
LB: Jimmy Hall – Sr. (6-2, 220) – 23 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 PBU, 1 PD, 1 QB hurry
CB: Nick VanHoose – Jr. (6-0, 190) – 27 tackles, 1 interception, 6 PBU, 7 PD, 1 blocked kick
CB: Matthew Harris – So. (5-11, 180) – 26 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 PBU, 3 PD
S: Ibraheim Campbell – Sr. (5-11, 220) – 23 tackles, 1 interception, 1 PBU, 2 PD, 1 forced fumble
S: Traveon Henry – So. (6-1, 220) – 20 tackles
Team Rankings: (Stat/B1G/National) *according to CFBstats.com
Total Defense: 364.3ypg/9th/48th
Scoring Defense: 16.8ppg/3rd/19th
Passing Defense: 247ypg/12th/78th
Rushing Defense: 117.3ypg/7th/36th
– This defense isn’t one to mess around with, plain and simple, even if the raw numbers don’t scare you just yet. They’ve got some very gifted players on the line, at linebacker and in the secondary and it is a veteran defense to boot. While the Wildcats’ numbers may be a bit inflated due to some of the competition it has played, this is also the most attacking defense the Badgers have faced since LSU.
3 Keys to Success:
1. Don’t Turn the Ball Over: We said it last week, but it’s even more true this week. Northwestern is fourth in the Big Ten with a +2 turnover margin thanks to forcing four interceptions and and four fumbles. Wisconsin can’t put the ball on the ground or make the mistakes in the passing game it has this season or Northwestern’s defense will make them pay.
2. Find Another Wide Receiver: It’s a broken record going on two seasons for the Badgers, but Wisconsin needs a second wide receiver to emerge in this game. Northwestern’s attacking defense extends to its secondary and that means they can be beaten when you know how to do it. The question is, will anyone outside of Erickson be able to do it for the Badgers?
3. Sustain Long Drives: One thing that doesn’t help Northwestern’s defense is being made to stay on the field for long periods of time. That’s when mistakes happen, big plays go against them and they lose football games. Sustaining long drives and controlling the time of possession are mandatory if the Badgers want to erase a decade of bad memories in Evanston.
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