1. The development of the two-quarterback system
Coming out of a much-needed bye last weekend, the Badgers (2-1 Big Ten, 5-2 overall) entered into Saturday’s blowout win against Maryland with revised and improved quarterback play, getting past previous struggles.
Redshirt juniors Tanner McEvoy and Joel Stave shared snaps in the contest, with McEvoy showcasing his mobility and speed and Stave revealing his pocket-passing talents. McEvoy finished the day with 84 rushing yards and a touchdown on only four attempts, while Stave threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
Both quarterbacks seemed much more polished after the bye week and neither quarterback created a turnover, which had been the platoon’s major issue in previous losses to LSU and Northwestern.
The productive quarterback play enabled the Badgers to establish a prolific rushing attack once again and if the two quarterback system continues to flourish, Rutgers (1-3, 5-3) and their sketchy-at-best defense will undoubtedly struggle to make any defensive stops Saturday.
2. The re-emergence of hard-nosed defense
Through the first half of the season, Wisconsin established themselves as one of the top-tier defenses in the country, ranking No. 22 in the FBS in terms of rush defense and ranking in the Top Ten in the FBS in scoring defense.
However, in recent games against Northwestern and Illinois, the defense allowed 162 rushing yards to Northwestern’s freshman running back, Justin Jackson, and allowed 28 points to a horrid Illinois offense.
Saturday’s blowout win against Maryland proved that the Badgers had regrouped and returned back to their original hard-nosed defense. Only allowing 46 rushing yards, and 129 passing yards and seven points coming in garbage time, the Badgers dominated on defense and demolished a team that had put up 418 yards and 38 points the week before.
The Badgers will only continue to get healthier and will look to dominate a Rutgers team that lacks elite offensive talent.
3. Rushing against another porous defense
Wisconsin continued to exhibit its prolific rushing attack in the win against Maryland as the Badgers accumulated 311 rushing yards and scored five rushing touchdowns with three different players.
With Heisman candidate Melvin Gordon leading the backfield, jitterbug complement Corey Clement, as well as mobile quarterback Tanner McEvoy, the Badgers should be able run the ball in a productive manner Saturday.
This past weekend Rutgers allowed 225 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Nebraska’s running back Ameer Abdullah, and their defense has struggled all season to stop any runner.
Currently ranked 83rd nationally and 12th in the Big Ten in rush defense, Rutgers will be in for a long day facing the Badgers’ rushing attack.
4. Capitalizing off of Rutgers’ cold streak
In its first season in the Big Ten, Rutgers was predicted to be one of the worst teams overall in the conference due a difficult schedule and lack of talent.
However, the Scarlet Knights proved critics wrong as they started the season 5-1 and looked like a premier team after beating Michigan.
Though the Scarlet Knights got off to a hot start in the first six weeks of the season, the last two weeks have put the team in a cold streak. After being blown out by Ohio State by 39 points and Nebraska by 18 points, Rutgers currently sits at 5-3 on a two game losing streak.
With Rutgers’ cold streak, and the Badgers’ two-game win streak and recent blowout of Maryland, game momentum should be in the Badgers’ favor even before the players set the field.
5. Gordon’s continuation of Heisman-caliber season
Simply put, junior running back Melvin Gordon is one of the best backs in the entire FBS due to his speed, strength and football intelligence. Currently, Gordon is ranked third by ESPN in the Heisman Award race.
In Saturday’s win against Maryland, the dynamic back accumulated 134 yards from scrimmage with three touchdowns, while sitting out in the 4th quarter with the game well in hand.
Gordon continues to shred every defense he has faced this season. Aside from a fluke game against Western Illinois, Gordon has rushed for over 120 yards with at least one touchdown in every game this season. The back also has rushed for 1,168 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, ranking him fourth and third in the entire country in those categories, respectively.
