On the latest episode of The Motion W on Badger Sports Radio, both Sawyer and myself wondered about the status of linebacker Chris Orr after his rocket-fueled performance against Troy last Saturday. After racking up a team-high 14 tackles it was clear that the true freshman linebacker belonged on the field in a major way.
It appears the coaching staff feels the same way, as our recruiting partners at Badger247 are reporting that the coaching staff is going to name Orr the starter for the Hawaii game. He’ll replace junior Leon Jacobs, who was ejected in the first half of the Troy game for a dubious, at best, targeting call on Troy quarterback Brandon Silvers.
Orr not only had 14 tackles, he had one tackle for loss and one pass break up last week. In three games this season, Orr has 20 tackles, 1.0 for loss, and two pass break ups.
With Orr being named a starter, that means the Badgers will start freshmen at both inside linebacker positions, with redshirt freshman T.J. Edwards starting next to him. Edwards has 18 total tackles this season, which is third on the team behind Orr and senior outside linebacker Joe Schobert.
After three games it is clear that the Badgers defense is up to its old tricks despite a host of youthful and inexperienced players in the front seven. Through three games the Badgers rank No. 28 nationally in total defense (304.7 ypg), No. 13 in scoring defense (12.7 ppg), and No. 26 in rushing defense (105.3 ypg).
Wisconsin ranks third in the Big Ten in scoring defense, fifth in rushing defense, sixth in passing defense and eighth in total defense. However, let’s remember that outside of Oregon, no team in the Big Ten has taken on an opponent the level of Alabama on offense. Look for those numbers to come way, way down after this week and heading in to Big Ten play next week.
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