Despite the success of new quarterback Russell Wilson and the running back tandem of freshman James White and junior Montee Ball, the Wisconsin Badgers' chances of making a run at a Big Ten Title could come down to the success of the Badgers' defense.
This was very easy to see in the Badgers' first game against UNLV. While the Wisconsin offense did put up almost 500 yards and did score 51 points, these numbers overshadowed a problem that could rear its ugly head in the future if adjustments are not made.
The problem that has been overshadowed is that the Badgers' defense gave up almost 300 yards to a clearly subpar Rebels offense.
There were problems especially in the Wisconsin run defense, which gave up 146 yards and allowed both of the Rebels' top running backs to average over four yards per carry. This problem is not due to lack of talent, but may be due to the fact that the defense is usually rusty the first game, with no game reps for tackling in the offseason and no game experience for new players to mesh into the defense.
""We let the ball out; we didn't cup it on a few of their longer runs,"" said sophomore linebacker Chris Borland. We need to do a better job of setting the edge to the defense and allowing our pursuit from the inside to come get it.""
Badger fans will hope that the defense will be able to improve quickly because defending the run will not get any easier with their next opponent Oregon State.
Despite losing in overtime to a FCS Sacramento State squad last week, the Oregon State Beavers had a lot of success running the ball. The Beavers were able to tear through Sacramento's defense with freshman running back Malcolm Agnew, who rushed 33 times for 223 yards (6.8 ypc) and three touchdowns. Due to a pulled hamstring that he had in practice, it is doubtful Agnew will start this week, but that does not mean that the Badgers will be able to take the Beavers more lightly. Though Agnew's replacements certainly will not be as talented, if the Badgers do not make some adjustments on defense, Oregon State may still have a lot of success on the ground.
Oregon State's decision to play two quarterbacks in this weekend's game could throw a wrench into the Wisconsin defensive machine. The quarterback controversy is rooted in the results of last week's game. Junior quarterback Ryan Katz started the game last week and struggle mightily. Down 14-3 at halftime, he and the rest of his Oregon State teammates were booed off the field. Katz was subsequently pulled from the game and replaced by redshirt freshman Sean Mannion. Mannion led the Beavers all the way back, commanding the offense to 15 fourth quarter points to tie the game and a touchdown to put them ahead in overtime. The Beavers would lose, however, with their defense giving up a touchdown and a two point conversion.
With Agnew being doubtful to be in the startin lineup this week, the pressure will be greater on the secondary to stop the Oregon State quarterback tandem, and each quarterback presents challenges to the secondary.
""The starter has a really strong arm. The guy can throw the ball really, really well,"" redshirt senior safety Aaron Henry said. ""[Mannion] was throwing the ball extremely well, and he was the reason they were in the game at the end of the game.""
Although this quarterback controversy sounds like it could be more of a problem for Oregon State than Wisconsin, it is still something extra that the Badgers will have to account for. It may be difficult for the defense to get a feel for each quarterback if they are continually rotated.
Something that could help the Badgers' defense in this weekend's game, however, is the fact that they see an offense similar Oregon State's every day in practice. Oregon State runs a pro-style offense that relies heavily upon the power running game and play action passing, which is very similar to what the Badgers run. It has even been said that Oregon State runs some plays that are identical to plays that the Wisconsin offense runs.
""That is the best possible preparation we can get. They are not totally the same, but for the most part a lot of formations and tendencies are the same as ours, and that is good preparation,"" redshirt senior defensive tackle Patrick Butrym said. It is safe to say that if the defense can succeed in practice against one of the best offenses in the country, it can succeed against a less-talented Beaver squad.
