As we continue the Big T1e1n Season, we’re giving tBBC readers the chance to gain insight into the teams and fans that the Buckeyes will be matching up with on Saturday.
First up, Bruce Ciskie, the sports director from Red Rock Radio in Duluth and author of the great Ciskie Blog stops by to jump around and give us his perspective on what our magic eight ball came up with:
Season to season, there are bigger games on the Ohio State schedule than Wisconsin, and usually one or two more highly ranked opponents, but there’s always more concern Wisconsin than any other team; they are always fundamentally sound and tough to beat. Is this how Wisconsin fans view their own team, or does this perspective sell the team short? Are there any teams on the Wisconsin schedule that they feel the same about?
I’m pretty sure this is a grand overstatement this season. The Badgers are prone to big defensive lapses, the kind that get coordinators fired when they’re not accompanied by injuries to impact players like Chris Borland. The team really misses Borland’s presence, and it’s clear when you watch the way Michigan State gashed them two weeks ago. I just don’t think this is a super Wisconsin team. They aren’t nearly good enough on defense compared to where they usually are.
As for teams I’m always concerned about, Iowa qualifies. They drive us nuts, and they usually beat us around the field, even in games we’re lucky enough to win.
What new players in the starting lineup this year should we keep an eye on? Is there anyone who’s going to get talked up in the future?
Obviously, a healthy John Clay is a huge threat, but there are a lot of questions about his health. He looked decent against Minnesota after looking terrible against Michigan State, so hopefully he’s coming around. If he’s not at his peak, and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst isn’t feeling especially stubborn, you can expect to see a lot of freshman James White. He’s the anti-Clay, a super athlete who is a huge home-run threat on every play.
If Nick Toon can get his mojo back, he’s a nice threat in the passing game. Lance Kendricks is the latest in what seems to be a never-ending line of tight ends who look like they’re NFL-caliber. The offensive line is pretty strong, if not overly athletic.
I really like Watt, but Borland was our best defensive player. Without him, things don’t look the same on that side of the ball. We’re not as bad as Michigan or anything, but we’re also not as good as usual.
What did the Badgers learn about themselves from the Michigan State and Arizona State games? How have they adapted and developed?
I would love to say that the Badgers learned from the ASU game, in which I felt they came out flat from the get-go and seemed surprised by how spunky the Sun Devils were. But then they sleepwalked through the second quarter against Minnesota, and didn’t bother to play defense during the fourth quarter.
I hope they learned how to cover kicks, but Minnesota wasn’t going to provide much of a threat in that area, so I have no clue if this has happened.
The Michigan State loss was totally different, because it was a game lost against what is probably a superior opponent. To that point, Wisconsin was plus-three in turnovers in the first half, and somehow managed to be down ten points.
In your opinion, does it hurt Wisconsin that they still ground it out, in a game that is more “spread” and “speed” across the college football landscape?
Not really. I think the bigger problem is that UW has consistently struggled to recruit and develop high-level, pro-style quarterbacks. I know they want a guy who is reasonably mobile, but they lean toward pocket passers and not the more athletic guys you see in the spread. Scott Tolzien is a solid passer who can run a little bit. He’s more like John Stocco, who was a really solid starter for us, in that he has virtually no chance in the NFL, and he’s not the kind of athlete that the Badgers were known for having at quarterback before (see: “Bollinger, Brooks”).
I think Alabama’s success with some real power elements in their game, and Wisconsin’s bowl win over an emerging Miami program last year, show that this style of football can work.
The Buckeyes struggled on offense in last year’s game due to great play from your defense. How do you feel about your defense this year as compared to last?
Not nearly as good. They’ll make some plays, especially Watt. But I don’t think their linebacker play is as good as it was last year, and I am not a huge fan of the secondary. They really haven’t played against an offense like this, and I think it will be a struggle all night to keep Pryor in check.
We’ve heard some negative things about Bret Beilema as a coach from a couple of Wisconsin grads. Are these widely held beliefs among Wisconsin faithful, or just the opinions of a small group of fans?
I’ve laid off for the most part, but I was not a fan of the two-point stunt on Saturday, and that was pretty much the end of my Bielema support. Being 350 miles from Madison like I am, it really affects how much negative stuff I hear, but I can tell you there are a lot of people upset with his personality and style, and his management of the team.
The problem with Bielema is that there is no indication the athletic director — Barry Alvarez — isn’t in his corner pretty firmly. It’s almost a waste of energy to crow too much.
What advice would you give for a visiting fan?
Same thing I’d give the home fans … Wear your colors proudly and respectfully. Show respect for those around you, keep the cussing to a minimum, and have a great time cheering your team. After the game, go to State Street Brats, find a spot to sit, and enjoy.
What are your thoughts on Big Ten expansion and how it might change Wisconsin’s place in the conference?
I think it’s great for the league. I’m excited for Nebraska to come in, because they fit the profile of this league, both academically and athletically. It’s another great place for our fans to visit, and it’s potentially a great rivalry for the program.
Wisconsin’s place in the league won’t change much. They are a program capable of eight to nine wins per season, rarely anything less than that, and even more rarely anything more than that.
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