When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2:30p.m. CT
Where: Madison, Wis.; Camp Randall Stadium (80,231)
TV: BTN
Radio: Badger Sports Network
Last Meeting: First Meeting
All-Time Series: N/A
1 Burning Question: Can Badgers Defense Pitch Another Shut Out?
While most questions are focusing on the Badgers run game, the Badgers defense had themselves a heck of a day against Miami (OH). Not only did they hold the Redhawks to minus-3 yards rushing and create four turnovers, but the Badgers also pitched a shutout for the first time since blanking Rutgers in Big Ten play last season. It was also the fourth time the Badgers defense has pitched a shutout under defensive coordinator Dave Aranda.
Pitching a second-straight shutout wouldn’t be unprecedented either, as UW did in Aranda’s first two games against UMass and Tennessee Tech back in 2013. However, doing it with a very young and inexperienced front seven would really make a statement on the heels of the big-play fest that was the Alabama game.
2 Key Stats to Know:
.908 — That’s the Badgers home win percentage since 2004. Simply put, the Badgers have had one of the best home field advantages in all of college football over the last decade. Just how good? The .908 winning percentage is only topped by Boise State’s .958 (69-3). Wisconsin has a 69-7 record at home in that period and are only topped in total wins by the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 71 since 2004.
54.7 — That’s the average points in Paul Chryst’s last 13 games at Camp Randall. Yes, the Badgers offense has been explosive as possible at home with Paul Chryst at the helm of the offense. Wisconsin has hit the 50-point mark in eight of those 13 games. After opening up with 58 points last week, the Badgers will look to keep up the high-scoring offense at home. UW’s 58 points last weekend were good enough for a tie for the most points scored against a non-FCS opponent since Chryst became a head coach at the collegiate level and has only been topped by a 62-point performance by Pitt against Delaware last season.
3 Staff Predictions:
Andy: 52-10 (2-0 season record)
Nate: 55-10 (2-0 season record)
Sawyer: 42-10 (2-0 season record)
4 Key Players to Watch:
Corey Clement, RB — Once again we still don’t know if Wisconsin’s star running back will be ready. Based on the information we’ve seen and heard, it doesn’t really look good for Clement. However, he may be closer to an actual game-time decision than he was last week. Let’s see if he gets the all-clear from the doctors and the team on Saturday. Having him in the lineup would certainly change the nature of this game.
Chris Orr, ILB — There wasn’t a more impressive, yet quite game from anyone on the Badgers defense than Orr had last week. He finished the game tied for fourth on the team with 4 tackles and 1 pass break up. So far it’s been an impressive overall start for the true freshman linebacker, and if this continues the Badgers have real depth at a thin and inexperienced position like inside linebacker.
Micah Kapoi, RG — Wisconsin has yet to establish a run game, and it continues to search for answers on the right side of the offensive line. One of the options that continues to see more and more playing time is Kapoi, who the coaching staff gave 38 of 81 snaps to last week. Kapoi also saw time in the opener against Alabama. It seems as if the Badgers may be searching to see if Williams or Kapoi will be the one to finally spark the Badger offensive line in to productive run blockers. There are snaps for the taking, will the redshirt freshman take them is the bigger question.
Robert Wheelwright, WR — All this guy does is catch touchdowns, to the point that we all might as well start calling him Mr. Touchdown. Up until last week, Wheelwright has just 3 receptions and one touchdown to his name. He broke through in a big way last week, racking up six receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns. So far this season, Wheelwright has picked up a touchdown in ever contest for the Badgers. If he can prove to be a consistent weapon on the edge and in the end zone, Wisconsin has itself a real passing game to speak of. After breaking out last weekend, lets see if he can do it again.
5 Bold Prognostications:
5. Wisconsin gives up a special teams touchdown: One of the brightest spots on the UW roster has been its special teams return coverage units. However, I still don’t trust Drew Meyer and I’m banking on him hitting a low, line-drive, punt that sets up an easy return for a touchdown sometime in the second half. That’s how Wisconsin’s defense can and will still hold the Trojans out of the end zone.
4. Tawain Deal has first 100-yard game: Last week I predicted that both Deal and Dare Ogunbowale would go over the 100-yard mark in a big win over Miami (OH). Instead, it was just Ogunbowale doing it, thanks in large part to a 35-yard scamper in to the end zone. Wisconsin’s run game needs to get on track and it feels like a matter of when, not if, Deal begins to take this battle over for the No. 2 running back position.
3. Rafael Gaglianone hits a 50-plus yard FG: Hey, last week the man couldn’t miss and the Badgers found themselves sputtering on their first two drives after the defense and special teams gave them amazing field position. Don’t be surprised to see the Badgers stall out on the very first drive of the game, but be close enough for a long field goal attempt from perhaps the strongest leg the Badgers have ever had at kicker.
2. Joel Stave passes for over 300 yards: Troy’s defensive statistics suggest that opponents have had a field day running on the Trojans. As in to the tune of averaging over 250 yards. However, it hasn’t been as easy in the pass game, with opponents averaging just 155 yards a game through the air. Those numbers are a bit skewed, as NC State ran the ball 58 times, which is the exact opposite of what Wisconsin’s offense is meant to do under Paul Chryst. Given the weapons and strength the Badgers have shown in the pass game, I’m calling for Stave to bust out a big game with some big time play-action passing hook ups with Alex Erickson and Tanner McEvoy.
1. Tanner McEvoy Gets an INT and a TD: No way the Badgers don’t find a way to target at 6-6 wide receiver when they get in the end zone, right? In that case, expect McEvoy to make his presence felt against an over matched secondary from Troy. Additionally, the two-way dynamo will get it done on defense with a ranging interception after the Badgers front seven gets major pressure as well. McEvoy continues to prove he’s perhaps the most valuable overall player on this team.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
