Wisconsin comes into this week facing a lot of questions and a lot of unknowns thanks to two things, 1) The lackluster at best performance against UNI last week and 2) Oregon State didn’t play it’s scheduled game thanks to a hurricane last week.
So, there’s a lot to talk about and analyze heading into this game, but here at MTB’s we’re giving you the 5 biggest things we’ll be watching for on Saturday afternoon.
1) Can the Badgers run game show some consistency?
Last week Ball ran for 120 yards, which isn’t terrible at all, but he averaged just 3.8ypc and the offensive line had trouble blocking for him. Now it wasn’t the whole offensive line, but the numbers bare out that the rotation between Zack Matthias and Kyle Costigan didn’t work out in game one, at least when Ball was in the game.
He rushed to the left and right 11 times a piece and had about 45 yards (unscientific look from game replay) to the left and only 28 yards to the right.
They need to figure that out and quickly otherwise teams are going to kill this running game. Just as bad as not having a passing game that can go deep is having a running game that can only go one way successfully.
2) Can the Badgers Adjust on the Fly Defensively?
What killed the Badgers last weekend was a play that they weren’t totally prepared for in the wheel route. Clearly UNI saw something they liked as they went back to the same play just a possession later and scored once again – all to the same guy too.
The Badgers didn’t make the necessary adjustments and/or they didn’t have the right people out there to make the necessary plays. Either way, the Badgers have to avoid giving up those kind of plays against Oregon State because they are far more dangerous on offense and stout on defense than UNI was.
3) Will the Badgers Open Up the Passing Game?
Danny O’Brien showed a great command of the offense in week one, completing 82% of his passes and suffering from 2 drops in his 19-23 performance for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns, but it was a muted performance if there ever was one.
There was only one deep shot down the field and it went for the 53 yard touchdown to Jared Abbrederis. It’s safe to say it left fans, media, and even some players hoping to see the offense open up and be less robotic feeling in week 2.
4) Will we see Melvin Gordon?
Bret Bielema was asked about the lack of Gordon on the field during the game last week and he said it was a situational thing and did point out he was back on kick returns in the 2nd half.
That’s all fine and well, but for a player that’s been hyped by coaches and fellow players alike Badger Nation and us want to see the full force of RUN BWG going against Oregon State. If it happens that bodes well for the Badgers chances of this game being a blowout victory.
5) Wisconsin’s secondary vs. Sean Mannion
This isn’t the same Sean Mannion the Badgers saw in week two last season, he’s vastly improved his decision making, but with this being his first live game action in 2012 the Badgers secondary could be in prime position to shut the Beavers passing game down.
If they can make Mannion throw into some bad situations and harass what is a very good wide receiver Corp. that will force Oregon State to try and run the ball, something that hasn’t been a staple of this offense since the Rogers brothers were in Black and Orange. This will be the key battle on the defensive side of the ball for Wisconsin.
Are there things you’ll be watching for that we haven’t listed? Tell us your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Additionally, don’t forget to attend our Badger Watch Party & Wisconsin SoundOff LIVE! show on Saturday at The Vault in De Pere, WI!! Come meet Andy & Nate and enjoy some great times with fellow Badger fans!
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