By Jake McCormick
In their 31-13 loss at Ohio State, the Wisconsin Badgers led the stat line 22-8 in first downs, 368 to 184 in total yards, and 42:47 to 17:13 in time of possession. But quarterback Scott Tolzien threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns and the special teams gave up a 96-yard kick return for another that iced the game for the Buckeyes. I won’t completely blame the inexperienced quarterback, as the offensive line must’ve watched too many Packer games before giving up six sacks after only allowing two all year.
Take away those Plaxico Burress mistakes, and what do you have? A 13-10 Badger lead in a game where they clearly outplayed a supposedly superior team. Then again, the team that takes advantage of, instead of committing, turnovers rightfully should win.
But is it any surprise then that the Badgers are two and a half point favorites playing at home against the No. 11 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, who have won 11 straight at Camp Randall? The loss at Ohio State was a horse pill to swallow, but it was necessary for this team to understand that when they are operating at their highest points, the only thing they have to fear is digging their own graves. The Badgers lost to a Buckeye team that has a high likelihood of losing at least one more game in the Big Ten season, and now will face a team in Iowa that is third nationally in takeaways.
The one big confidence boost the Badger defense can continue to build into the Iowa game is their ability to pressure a quarterback. The team has 16 sacks on the year, and defensive ends O’Brien Schofield and JJ Watt play like the Mighty Duck Bash Brothers. Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Terrell Pryor looked as uncomfortable as a lone 7-year-old boy in a class of 22 girls. Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi has been inconsistent this year, and if the Badgers can get to him early they will be able to replicate their clock dominance.
Once again, the key matchup for the Badgers will be their offense against a very good Iowa defense. The offense needs to show it can do more than play between the 20s against a talented team that allows only 15.8 ppg if the Badgers want to stay in the running for the Big Ten title. The bottom line is that John Clay will get his 20+ carries as long as Tolzien doesn’t do his best Dustin Sherer impression. I find it strange I found a way to use “best” and “Dustin Sherer” in the same sentence.
Here are four important questions for Wisconsin heading into their second straight top 15 matchup:
Can Scott Tolzien bounce back and limit mistakes against an Iowa defense that ranks at the top of the Big Ten in almost every statistical category, including interceptions?
The Badger pass rush has twice as many sacks as Iowa (8 to 16). Considering both quarterbacks will need to play at a reasonably high, mistake free level to win, who will win the battle up front on both sides of the ball?
Wisconsin hasn’t had the best kick coverage so far and it culminated in Ray Smalls’ 96-yarder that all but killed any chance of a Badger comeback. Even though Hawkeye leading return man Paul Chaney Jr. is out for the season, Iowa’s special teams have been strong all year. How big of a role will special teams play in Saturday’s game?
Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi has 10 touchdowns, but has thrown eight interceptions. Can the Badgers continue to force turnovers while limiting their own?