After beating down the first of two-straight newcomers to the Big Ten last week, the Badgers make a trip out east to take on a completely unfamiliar Rutgers Scarlet Knights team. For a few members of the Badgers team it will be a homecoming of sorts, as three players will return to their home state (Sherard Cadogan, Corey Clement and Tanner McEvoy).
Two of those three could have a big hand in how the Badgers fare in its first road test since traveling to Northwestern. UW will look to avoid dropping another unexpected contest this time around, but how will that happen?
Let’s breakdown the contest and introduce you to the keys for this game on Saturday.
When: Saturday, Nov. 1, 11am CT
Where: High Point Solutions Stadium; Piscataway, NJ
TV: ESPN
Radio: Badger Sports Network
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Position Breakdown:
Wisconsin Pass Offense vs. Rutgers Pass Defense:
UW Passing Stats: 1,062 yards, 9 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 151.7 yards per game, 11.9 yards per catch
RU Pass D Stats: 1,994 yards, 11 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 249.2 yards per game, 12.9 yards per catch
While the Badgers continue to be at the bottom of the Big Ten barrel in terms of the passing game, it has become a lot more prolific as of late. Heck, last week the Badgers hit two passes for over 40 yards after waiting six games to break that barrier. Quarterback Joel Stave finally found his touch on the deep pass, and if that can be consistent it’s a huge weapon for the Badgers going forward.
Rutgers on the other hand is nearly as bad stopping the pass as UW is throwing the ball. However, the real issue isn’t going to be wide receivers versus secondary, but it will all be up front in this battle. Rutgers is second in the conference with 24 sacks, and we’ve seen the UW offensive line give up major pressure to quality defensive lines in the past. Wisconsin does rank second in the Big Ten with just six sacks given up, but a lot of that number was from McEvoy’s ability to scramble early on.
If UW can give Stave and McEvoy time to go deep it could be a long day for the Scarlet Knights.
Advantage: Wisconsin (slightly)
Wisconsin Rushing Offense vs. Rutgers Rushing Defense:
UW Rushing Stats: 2,369 yards, 25 touchdowns, 7.2 yards per carry, 338.4 yards per game
RU Rush D Stats: 1,426 yards, 19 touchdowns, 5.1 yards per carry, 178.2 yards per game
Melvin Gordon vs. a Rutgers defense that ranks 12th in the Big Ten? Child please.
That would be the easy response, but the reality is that last weekend was a reminder that rankings and numbers don’t mean a lot on the field. Gordon did have 122 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn’t easy for him, and until the 60-yard touchdown run by McEvoy UW wasn’t that great on the ground against Maryland.
Fast forward a week and I expect the offensive line to respond to what was a sure challenge by the coaching staff after that Maryland game. Winning has a funny way of masking issues externally, but you can bet it was addressed in meetings this weekend.
The biggest issue for the Badger to deal with is huge defensive tackle Darius Hamilton. He’s a beast and will be a huge challenge for Dan Voltz and the guards for the Badgers. That said, Wisconsin seems to respond well when challenged about its running game.
Look for Saturday to be a big day on the ground for the Badgers, and it should be if you look at the numbers.
Advantage: Wisconsin
Rutgers Pass Offense vs. Wisconsin Pass Defense:
RU Pass Stats: 2,006 yards, 14 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 250.8 yards per game, 16.0 yards per catch
UW Pass D Stats: 1,144 yards, 6 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 163.4 yards per game, 13.1 yards per catch
The Badgers nearly pitched a shutout last weekend against easily the most talented group of wide receivers it has seen all season long. If it weren’t for Maryland still playing its starters with a minute left in a 52-7 game it would’ve been a shutout.
As it was, any questions about just how good UW’s pass defense could be were answered in that game. However, this week presents a very different challenge to them in the form of the tall and speedy Leonte Carroo. He happens to be one of the best receivers in the conference, and he shredded the Huskers for a 71-yard touchdown on what was a simple pass in the flat.
Wisconsin will need to limit his big-play ability, but there is another challenge too in the form of tight end Tyler Kroft. He is on the short list for best tight ends in the Big Ten
The biggest unknown in this game is how the quarterback situation will affect this game. It is unlikely we’ll see star quarterback Gary Nova on the field, and that means freshman Chris Laviano takes over at QB. Last week he was 4-of-7 for 49 yards in relief, but given the way Ralph Friedgen’s offense works, he needs to be a the focal point.
Wisconsin withstood it’s biggest challenge last week, and don’t be surprised to see them shut down Carroo, Kroft and Co. this weekend too.
Advantage: Wisconsin
Rutgers Rush Offense vs. Wisconsin Rush Defense:
RU Rushing Stats: 1,247 yards, 13 touchdowns, 4.0 yards per carry, 155.9 yards per game
UW Rush D Stats: 747 yards, 7 touchdowns, 3.1 yards per carry, 106.7 yards per game
Had Paul James been healthy and available this would’ve been a fun matchup to watch. However, that won’t be happening as he’s been out for the majority of the season with injury and won’t be seen again this year.
Without George, this offense has been much less explosive. Desmon Peoples has taken over as the primary back, and he’s averaging an okay 4.0 yards per game with just three touchdowns on the season. That won’t get it done against a Badger team that is third in the Big Ten in rushing defense and has given up just seven touchdowns to opposing rushing games.
Last week the Badgers got nose guard Warren Herring back, and it seemed to only serve to make everyone else around him better. Wisconsin gave up just 46 yards on 28 carries by the Terps, and don’t be surprised if something like that happens against the other newcomer despite playing on the road.
Advantage: Wisconsin
Staff Predictions:
Andy (5-2 season record) – Wisconsin 48, Rutgers 17
There’s little doubt that Wisconsin made a statement in its win over Maryland last weekend. Now the big question is if it can do the same while playing on the road. A look at the matchups suggest the Badgers have the talent advantage nearly across the board. However, the telltale sign that Wisconsin should win this game is it’s advantage up front on both sides of the ball. Look for Gordon to have himself a Heisman-like game and show the college football world he’s not going to lose ground to Ameer Abdullah.
Jay (4-0 season record) – Wisconsin 31, Rutgers 14
The Badgers got back on track in a big way last weekend. After the Terps beat Iowa, I think a lot of us were a slight bit worried about the game. Glad we were wrong. I don’t see this one as quite as big of a blowout, but I also don’t see the Scarlet Knights posing too much of a threat. The Badgers keep on rolling and knock off the second new B1G opponent in two weeks.
Prognostications:
– Sojourn Shelton gets an INT: Last week was a vast improvement for the sophomore, PI call notwithstanding. Now its about continuing to make strides back to the player we all saw last season. If the Badgers can shut down Carroo on one side, Shelton will get his chance this week. While this is a prognostication left from last week, I still believe the talent will lead to results for Shelton and that means he gets a pick on his stat sheet.
– Joel Stave throws 2 INTs: Every week we’ve picked a good thing to happen to the Badgers, well this week I see Wisconsin trying hard to build off the two deep completions that were made with Stave back at quarterback. Unfortunately, we’ll see the more inaccurate version of the QB and that means he’s susceptible to a few bad throws. That means opportunities for the Rutgers secondary to make some plays. Look for Stave to be off target on a few deep balls and for Rutgers to make him pay with each mistake deep down the field.
– Reggie Love has first multi-catch game this season: It’s no secret that the Badgers have issues at wide receiver, what with Alex Erickson leading the way with 32 receptions and no other wide receiver in double digits. Last week we saw Reggie Love get some love (pardon the pun) as he got his first reception since the first game of the season against LSU. While it was just one catch, look for that to lead to more opportunities for him this week, and he’ll double his receptions total. It may be baby steps, but it would be a huge help to this team down the road, that’s for sure.
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