When: Saturday, Sept. 126, 7p.m. CT
Where: Madison, Wis.; Camp Randall Stadium (80,231)
TV: BTN
Radio: Badger Sports Network
Last Meeting: Wisconsin Win, 51-10 (Dec. 5, 2009)
All-Time Series: Wisconsin leads 5-1
1 Burning Question: Do the Badgers have the run game needed to win in the Big Ten?
Corey Clement will miss at least the first two, if not four Big Ten contests after announcing he needs surgery to repair a sports hernia. That means Wisconsin isn’t just auditioning for his backup anymore. Instead, this game takes on added importance in the run game, because someone needs to show they are worthy of starting when the real tests of conference play begin. Junior Dare Ogunbowale is the only running back available to rush for over 100 yards in a game this season, while Taiwan Deal has come close to it himself. Finding a featured back will be good, but so will be finding a group that works up front and can open holes needed for these backs. Something has to click, and click soon, or it could be trouble for the Badgers offense as it faces off with Big Ten West contenders Iowa and Nebraska.
2 Key Stats to Know:
128:03 — That’s the number of minutes it has been since the Badgers defense has allowed a touchdown. Yes, Wisconsin hasn’t allowed an opponent in to the end zone while on defense since the fourth quarter of the Alabama game. While the opposition (Miami (OH) and Troy) hasn’t been top-shelf, shutting opponents out and keeping them out of the end zone is nothing to scoff at. Can the Badgers make it three-straight weeks?
214.3 — That’s Joel Stave’s passer efficiency rating when inside the opponents 40-yard line. Many questioned if the senior quarterback could lift this team to wins in the absence of a quality run game. He’s more than answered those critics and those questions. So much so that he’s been one of the most efficient quarterbacks from inside the opposition’s 40-yard line in the country. Stave is 19-for-27 for 227 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions this season from inside the opposition 40-yard line.
3 Staff Predictions:
Andy: 41-10 (3-0 season record)
Nate: 35-10 (3-0 season record)
Sawyer: n/a (3-0 season record)
4 Key Players to Watch:
Chris Orr, ILB — Just how good was the freshman’s first extensive action in a Badgers uniform? All Orr did in replacing Leon Jacobs after his ejection for targeting was lead the team with 14 tackles (11 solo). It was so impressive that despite Jacobs being eligible to return after his ejection, Orr was named the starter alongside fellow freshman, T.J. Edwards. Orr has the potential to be a big time star in his career, so let’s see if he can reward the coaches faith with another big time performance.
Taiwan Deal, RB — With the news of Corey Clement’s sports hernia surgery there is a renewed call for excellence at the running back position. The Badgers have yet to see a running back truly go off, but that could change on Saturday night. If it does, look for Deal to have a lot to do with it. The biggest question mark isn’t if, but when Deal has a breakout game. That may happen if he’s allowed to get the bulk of carries and wear down the Rainbow Warriors defense.
Vince Biegel, OLB — There may not be a player who is more productive and less talked about than the elder of the Biegel brothers at Wisconsin. It’s not to say he hasn’t been productive, because he has. Rather it says more about the fact that fans and pundits have come to expect great play out of Biegel, so much so that when it happens few recognize or mention it. Well, Biegel having a big game here would certainly be helpful to a pair of freshmen playing inside linebacker against a team that loves to pass the football. Getting to USC transfer quarterback Max Wittek is exactly how to slow it down, and Biegel is one of the best at rushing the QB on the roster at UW.
Austin Traylor, TE — With Troy Fumagalli likely out with a thumb injury, suddenly the senior tight end becomes option No. 1 for the Badgers in the pass game as well as a great blocker at tight end. Traylor has been steady for Wisconsin so far, but can he be consistent without other options at tight end there to take some of the pressure off him?
5 Bold Prognostications:
5. Wisconsin’s defense gives up a touchdown: Yes, it finally happens after eight quarters of opponents held out of the end zone. Actually, it will reach nine quarters before a touchdown is given up and it will happen on the ground as well. It’s only a matter of when, not if an opponent can score, and the Rainbow Warriors’ run game is impressive enough to get it done at least once.
4. Max Wittek throws at least two interceptions: It’s early season, but the Hawaii quarterback has thrown four interceptions to just five touchdowns so far. He’s also completed just 50 percent of his passes, and that adds up to trouble. That’s especially the case when you are going up against a secondary like the one the Badgers will put out there. Look for Hillary, Shelton, McEvoy and even Caputo to take advantage of the bad decision making and pick the Hawaii quarterback off more than once.
3. Chris Orr leads team in tackles again: After coming in and playing the majority of the contest for Leon Jacobs last week, the true freshman will show out again. Simply put, there may not be a more instinctive player on the Badgers roster than Orr. It’s a perfect fit between system and player for him, and one shouldn’t be surprised to see those instincts and full week of practice as a starter to allow him to become the Badgers’ leading tackler for a second-straight week.
2. Tawain Deal goes over the 100-yard mark: This is another case of a matter of when, not if. At least that’s the feeling that has come over the past two weeks. It will also be music to the Wisconsin coaching staff’s ears, as they need a breakout game from someone at running back without the safety net of Corey Clement’s return being there. Deal has been close to going off, and this is the perfect game for him to finally take over physically and speed-wise. He’ll get closer to the 200-yard mark than many expect as well.
1. Joel Stave throws for over 300 yards: One thing has been constant for the Wisconsin Badgers offense this season, and that’s been the play of Joel Stave. He hasn’t thrown for less than 200 yards in a single game, but he also hasn’t gone over the 300-yard threshold this season. In the final tune-up before Big Ten play, Stave gets beyond that magical number thanks to an improving deep passing game and finding a run game that will allow for play-action passing to really work. Stave hits a few deep bombs and allows for a 300-yard game.
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