The Wisconsin Badgers (2-1, 0-0) have a simple goal for this Saturday's game at Camp Randall Stadium against the visiting North Carolina Tar Heels (0-2, 0-1).
\Just to win and make sure everything is correct. Just win. Just to go out there with that great attitude and know that nobody is going to lie down for us,"" junior defensive end Jonathan Welsh said. ""That's the one thing I can say we probably learned last week, that nobody's going to lie down for us. Just go out there and take the game, [we've] got to take it. That's it.""
Keeping it simple alone should prove to be a worthy game plan against the Tar Heels. After an embarrassing performance by the offense last week-surrendering eight sacks, turning the ball over five times, totaling 52 yards rushing and producing only three points-the offense has a chance to redeem itself and prove that last week, not just the game against Akron, was the fluke.
UW will likely miss the play of a Heisman hopeful, junior running back Anthony Davis, who will probably sit due to an ankle injury suffered last weekend.
Seeing how the Badger offense fared without Davis for three-plus quarters, all eyes are now on the bench, as the Badgers may run some backfield by committee; using sophomore running back Dwayne Smith, freshman running back Booker Stanley and even the previously forgotten junior running back Jerone Pettus.
""We have the same plays. We have to execute the plays if [Anthony's] playing or he isn't,"" Offensive Coordinator and Running Backs Coach Brian White said. ""I don't anticipate things being drastically different in terms of plays. We need to pick up the slack, it might be two guys picking up the slack, instead of just one,""
The running game has already proven essential to the Badgers offensive attack this season. Davis had huge games on the ground in both wins this year and his presence was sorely missed, as evidenced by Smith's two costly fumbles and senior quarterback Jim Sorgi trying to throw the ball through a steady rain.
""The most important thing is to protect the football, [to] do a great job with the ball; we have historically been an outstanding team [doing that],"" White said.
The good news for the offense is that the Tar Heels' defense is not one of the top units in the country. Florida State ripped off 553 yards of total offense in a 37-0 drubbing of UNC in week one and the following week Syracuse ran up 501 total yards as they edged the Tar Heels 49-47 in triple overtime. But with a bye week and game tape from last week against UNLV, don't be surprised if the Tar Heels come out aggressive, borrowing some blitzes and defensive packages from UNLV's game plan.
North Carolina's offense, much like Akron's, has the only real potential to keep the Heels in the game. Junior quarterback Darian Durant, who many believe to be the long-lost-brother of Antwaan Randle El, is the Tar Heel offense.
Durant, an efficient passer who likes to spread the ball around, leads the Tar Heels in passing, passing yards, passing touchdowns, rushing attempts, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total yards of offense, total yards of offense per game and total touchdowns.
The only major offensive category he does not lead the team in is receiving. With his talent and playmaking ability it is surprising he has not bounced a pass off one of his offensive linemen and taken it 80 yards down the sideline for a score.
""It's just being a lot more reactive to what's going on in the pocket. Because it's not just knowing the quarterback is a pretty good passer, it's knowing that he also has the tool to get out of the pocket and run for positive yards,"" Welsh said. ""So we have to make sure that he is contained. Just know where the quarterback is at all times and everybody keeps coverage.""
