What is so great about Wisconsin? Why CAN'T we beat them this week?

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

Let me preface this by saying that I haven't watched Wisconsin play this year nor do I care to unless it is against Rutgers (and yes I live in Wisconsin and will be at the game in person this week).

What is it about their offense and defense that we have to worry about? Mismatches etc.

I haven't really heard anything special about them this year. My feeling was that they're closer to Nebraska than MSU. But again I haven't watched them play this year.

 

[garyrc70]

While they are not as good as the team that beat RU by 30+ points in 2014, RU can't claim to be any better in 2015 than 2014. And they certainly aren't Indiana. The 19 pt spread may be a bit conservative..(as was the 21 pt spread against OSU)...

 

[AreYouNUTS]

They're the #2 D in the nation, so the odds of us putting more than 13 points on the board are tiny, and our D won't stop them from scoring about 27-30 points.

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

how is their pass defense and DL? How does it compare with OSU?

having the #2 D ranking at this point in the season is pointless. Who have they played?

I see that they won 23-21 vs Nebraska and lost to Iowa 6-10 and Alabama 7-35. The rest off their opponents are weak.

 

[NotInRHouse]

Last year when we were better we could not even score on them at home...on the road it seems more unlikely.

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

I would argue that we are better overall this year than last year even though the record doesn't reflect it.

 

[shields]

Nova played on one leg last year.

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

that wasn't vs Wisconsin iirc.

 

[garyrc70]

I would argue that we are better overall this year than last year even though the record doesn't reflect it.

Better based on what? RU hasn't beaten anybody. Although I will concede that they are entertaining against such stellar opposition as WSU and Indiana!!!

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

Better based on what? RU hasn't beaten anybody. Although I will concede that they are entertaining against such stellar opposition as WSU and Indiana!!!

Better depth on the DL and LBs are playing better as are our OL and RBs. I would also say QB play is more consistent instead of having the bipolar Nova show up with his jekyll/hyde play. Defense is also more physical than last year as was seen vs MSU and OSU.

We have a tougher schedule this year so our record won't reflect it but I do think we have a better team overall than last year.

 

[garyrc70]

Better depth on the DL and LBs are playing better as are our OL and RBs. I would also say QB play is more consistent instead of having the bipolar Nova show up with his jekyll/hyde play. Defense is also more physical than last year as was seen vs MSU and OSU.

We have a tougher schedule this year so our record won't reflect it but I do think we have a better team overall than last year.

So you think this team can beat the spread against the Badgers? I'm not optimistic..

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

I don't know. That's the reason for this thread because I don't see why everyone seems to think they'll blow us out. They look worse than MSU on paper and we played it close with MSU.

 

[RU'70]

Their starter QB Stave went out in Q1 with a concussion and didn't return. As is the curse of RU, their backup Bart Houston came in and put Illinois away. Their defense is awesome. They may not be the same team that destroyed us in our house last year, but I regretfully have to feel they are 2 TDs better than us.

 

[BadgerInSpartyland]

Hey guys, I mentioned in the prediction thread that UW's offense - which was taking a big step back this year without Melvin Gordon anyway - lost its C, QB, and #2 WR last week. This in addition to having lost the #1 and #3 RBs earlier in the year, as well as the #1 TE and several OLs. You are catching our O at a good time.

The Badgers play a 3-4 scheme which seems to be confusing to most opposing OLs. The LBs have been very good in both run defense and getting after the QB. The secondary is not bad, but they're somewhat susceptible - as is any secondary - when the pass rush is contained. UW has given up 3 long TD runs on short yardage situations - too many men in the box and no one to save the big run when the RB breaks through.

 

[pawildcat]

how is their pass defense and DL? How does it compare with OSU?

having the #2 D ranking at this point in the season is pointless. Who have they played?

I see that they won 23-21 vs Nebraska and lost to Iowa 6-10 and Alabama 7-35. The rest off their opponents are weak.

The Alabama score was 35-17.

 

[ruman]

Let me preface this by saying that I haven't watched Wisconsin play this year nor do I care to unless it is against Rutgers (and yes I live in Wisconsin and will be at the game in person this week).

What is it about their offense and defense that we have to worry about? Mismatches etc.

I haven't really heard anything special about them this year. My feeling was that they're closer to Nebraska than MSU. But again I haven't watched them play this year.

Because we can't stop anyone

 

[pawildcat]

I don't know. That's the reason for this thread because I don't see why everyone seems to think they'll blow us out. They look worse than MSU on paper and we played it close with MSU.

Their offense with the injuries is not as good as MSU, but their defense is better.

 

[JoeRU0304]

Health-wise we're made of duct tape and Fun-Tak. Against anyone with a pulse this year our offense has moved the ball at the speed of glacial erosion, and our defense looks like a bunch of guys trying to stop a bulldozer by throwing cotton balls at it...and all of this is why we're going to lose on Saturday by a good margin.


Joe P.

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

Hey guys, I mentioned in the prediction thread that UW's offense - which was taking a big step back this year without Melvin Gordon anyway - lost its C, QB, and #2 WR last week. This in addition to having lost the #1 and #3 RBs earlier in the year, as well as the #1 TE and several OLs. You are catching our O at a good time.

The Badgers play a 3-4 scheme which seems to be confusing to most opposing OLs. The LBs have been very good in both run defense and getting after the QB. The secondary is not bad, but they're somewhat susceptible - as is any secondary - when the pass rush is contained. UW has given up 3 long TD runs on short yardage situations - too many men in the box and no one to save the big run when the RB breaks through.

How is the UW DL? Do you guys have any dominating DTs or DEs?

 

[scarletrider]

i only saw the highlights of saturday's game but what i saw did not surprise me at all. osu dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

i distinctly remember our game last year against Wisconsin where we got dominated on the line of scrimmage on both sides. i don't follow Wisconsin closely but if i am not mistaken, they lost a great RB and few players but the basic line play did not change much. they may not be as good as last year but not far off. probably the biggest change for them is coaching. they don't seem to put up the same kind of scores as last year. Don't think Chryst is as good as Andersen so who knows.

for us? we are not as good as last year and the line play is probably worse. top that off with the fact that coach fraud is unlikely to try anything different. so, that is why we cannot beat them. i don't think we lose as badly as last year, but we still lose due to our line play.

 

[BadgerInSpartyland]

A couple of things to react to - It's hard to really evaluate the DL for a novice like me because they appear to be the guys who make the LBs look good - they must be doing their job of keeping the OL occupied.

Second, the O-line is nowhere near Wisconsin standards and much worse than last year. Well, maybe Melvin Gordon made them look better than they were last year, but we've been starting 3 frosh. Before Illinois, UW was 12th in the B1G in rushing. In short, this is not a typical line for us.

Third, we like Chryst. Andersen was a bad fit for the type of talent available to UW. Chryst grew up literally blocks from Camp Randall - he played for UW and coached there, too. He is an extraordinary OC, but still a work in progress as a head man. But no one understands the culture and the recruiting environment better. I will be surprised if he doesn't succeed.

 

[WhiteBus]

Let me preface this by saying that I haven't watched Wisconsin play this year nor do I care to unless it is against Rutgers (and yes I live in Wisconsin and will be at the game in person this week).

What is it about their offense and defense that we have to worry about? Mismatches etc.

I haven't really heard anything special about them this year. My feeling was that they're closer to Nebraska than MSU. But again I haven't watched them play this year.

Maybe you should watch a Wisconsin replay and more importantly a Rutgers replay

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

Maybe you should watch a Wisconsin replay and more importantly a Rutgers replay

Wisconsin has 3 freshmen OL and very little offensive weapons. Are you telling me that with an aggressive run blitzing and pass blitzing team that we can't severely hinder their offense? How good are their pass rushers and DBs? Would they give Laviano 3-4 sec in the pocket? If so we should be solid on offense and it will be a close game that we can possibly win.

 

[JPhoboken]

Are you AL in disguise, after reading Al's analysis preview last week, you sure you want to do this?

Sure, if everything breaks right we have a chance, but the odds are extremely low. One of the writers posted a story last week that we needed to do 6 things to beat OSU, and we didn't do any of them.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

how is their pass defense and DL? How does it compare with OSU?

having the #2 D ranking at this point in the season is pointless. Who have they played?

I see that they won 23-21 vs Nebraska and lost to Iowa 6-10 and Alabama 7-35. The rest off their opponents are weak.

Okay, fair enough, let's look at it this way here are the 4 teams are O played well against:

2-5 FCS Norfolk State
Wazzou - 97th
IU - 113th
KU - 127th (dead last)
(MSU, 37th and dropping, we put up 350 yards on...)

...now assess what you think our O can do against the #8 D in the nation.

*** btw - upsets happen, and who knows maybe we'll come out firing, but you asked the question so here are the facts.

 

[WhiteBus]

Wisconsin has 3 freshmen OL and very little offensive weapons. Are you telling me that with an aggressive run blitzing and pass blitzing team that we can't severely hinder their offense? How good are their pass rushers and DBs? Would they give Laviano 3-4 sec in the pocket? If so we should be solid on offense and it will be a close game that we can possibly win.

I'll repeat, watch the games. Stop being a fantasy football guy or a basement GM. We heard the same crap thar Rutgers would keep it close until late last week at this time

 

[sherrane]

Let me preface this by saying that I haven't watched Wisconsin play this year nor do I care to unless it is against Rutgers (and yes I live in Wisconsin and will be at the game in person this week).

What is it about their offense and defense that we have to worry about? Mismatches etc.

I haven't really heard anything special about them this year. My feeling was that they're closer to Nebraska than MSU. But again I haven't watched them play this year.

They were pretty banged up heading into Illinois and lost their starting QB Joel Stave with a "head injury" (which I believe was a concussion he received on a sack), starting center Dan Voltz (they've had a fair amount of issues on the OL this season), and starting WR Rob Wheelwright. Wisconsin is a good team but beatable, especially with their injuries. If RU plays as they did against Ohio State, their injuries won't matter. If RU plays as they did against Michigan State, they have a real chance.

 

[BadgerInSpartyland]

The Badger pass rush is very good, but is dependent a lot on the confusion created by the 3-4 scheme - it's hard to identify which players are coming. The technique employed by the DBs has them susceptible to back shoulder throws, but they're pretty good, and experienced, too. Caputo is very smart, instinctual, hard-hitting and the on-field coach - he went out of the Alabama game in the first series and they sorely missed his leadership. With him, they are a different defense.

 

[jellyman]

Last year when we were better we could not even score on them at home...on the road it seems more unlikely.

While true, that was an unusual game:

1) The weather was awful: Driving rain storm and very windy. That was very bad for RU, since we were a better passing team at that time than running team, and Wisconsin was a bad passing team and a great power running team ... the bad weather helped Wisconsin a LOT. Wind is the worst thing for passing.

2) Nova was hurt, and should not even have played, frankly. He got hurt on the last play of the 1st half of the Nebraska game, and could barely move in the bad weather against Wisconsin.

Wisconsin only had 83 yards passing ... which was better than RU which only had 63 yards passing. Nova was bad: 5-15 for 46 yards and an interception. Laviano was worse: 2-12 for 17 yards. Clement and Gordon ran wild on RU.

Nothing from that game last year means anything: Hopefully the weather conditions will be better, Gordon will not be playing (his eligibility is done), and maybe even Clement will not be playing ... perhaps even Stave will not be playing? On the other hand for RU Carroo and Grant are questionable .. and Tsimis is out. That means we actually may only HAVE 3 WR (one of whom is a walk-on), unless Harris is available (and we want to burn his red-shirt) and/or we want to burn Bunt's red-shirt.

 

[badger1979]

Badger fan here.

Everyone on our team is hurt. Our offensive line has featured like seven different combinations this year and is very very young. Our running backs are a walkon and a converted linebacker. Our starting quarterback was concussed last week and his backup played most of the game against Illinois. One of our starting receivers was also lost for the year in the game vs. Illinois. Hopefully Clement will be back for the game but I'm not holding my breath.

The defense is very good, however, and Camp Randall is a tough roadie for teams. We lost to Iowa yes, but Iowa is better than Rutgers. I think Wisconsin wins in boring fashion, similar to the Illinois score, 24-10, 24-13.

For those of you traveling to UW for the game, enjoy Halloween in Madison.

 

[JC16NYR]

Two Words.

"Up Front"

Our O-Line and D-Line have been getting blown off the ball for three years. Unless we sort that out the form will continue.

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

Two Words.

"Up Front"

Our O-Line and D-Line have been getting blown off the ball for three years. Unless we sort that out the form will continue.

They weren't getting blown off the ball so much vs MSU. And Wisconsin has 3 freshmen OL starting now due to injuries. How do the current WI lines compare with what we faced vs MSU?

I think it will be a close game. And in close games, the underdog can win. I think RU wins this one something like 31-27, especially with all their injuries and inexperienced players filling in for WI. We are playing them at their weakest. We have a good shot imo.

 

[brgossRU90]

So far we've beaten kansas, the worst team in p5 football, and Indiana, not a terrible team but a team that nonetheless only won 4 games last year and is a bottom 10 program over almost any period of time you care to look at. Until we beat someone better we will rightly be considered a low threat to beat most of the teams left on our schedule.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

They weren't getting blown off the ball so much vs MSU. And Wisconsin has 3 freshmen OL starting now due to injuries. How do the current WI lines compare with what we faced vs MSU?

I think it will be a close game. And in close games, the underdog can win. I think RU wins this one something like 31-27, especially with all their injuries and inexperienced players filling in for WI. We are playing them at their weakest. We have a good shot imo.

IIRC when we played MSU they were down 3 pre-season OL starters including an All-American.

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

IIRC when we played MSU they were down 3 pre-season OL starters including an All-American.

WI is down 3 OL as well. A QB, WR and RBs and a few others.

 

[BadgerInSpartyland]

I doubt Wisconsin will give up 31 - that's optimistic against a team that gives up less than half of that per game. But, it might not take that many, either.

 

[NickyNewark51]

ggggg

Better based on what? RU hasn't beaten anybody. Although I will concede that they are entertaining against such stellar opposition as WSU and Indiana!!![/ ...

Who are you....Rip Van Winkle........Wazzou is the talk of the Pac12 after a opening loss knocking us and Oregon off....wake up Rip.

 

[NickyNewark51]

Badger fan here.

Everyone on our team is hurt. Our offensive line has featured like seven different combinations this year and is very very young. Our running backs are a walkon and a converted linebacker. Our starting quarterback was concussed last week and his backup played most of the game against Illinois. One of our starting receivers was also lost for the year in the game vs. Illinois. Hopefully Clement will be back for the game but I'm not holding my breath.

The defense is very good, however, and Camp Randall is a tough roadie for teams. We lost to Iowa yes, but Iowa is better than Rutgers. I think Wisconsin wins in boring fashion, similar to the Illinois score, 24-10, 24-13.

For those of you traveling to UW for the game, enjoy Halloween in Madison.

Most yrs put Iowa in the East ...their us.

 

[rutgersguy1]

I mentioned in one of the other threads that Wisconsin's defense may stop us from scoring too much but they themselves can't score a lot either. Maybe mid teens for us and mid 20s-mid 30s for them.

Stave and one of the OL went out last week. They've had other injuries but how long have they had them? Is it something that they've been adjusting to for awhile or did they happen just recently?

 

[soundcrib]

Kyle Flood