There may not be a more unbalanced team in the nation than the Wisconsin Badgers as they enter their Big Ten opener this weekend against Penn State. When senior running back Anthony Davis went down with a eye injury against Central Florida, the Badgers' defense knew it would have to step up its play and so far, it has done just that.
\One of our key players went down and we had to make up for it,"" said senior defensive back Scott Starks. ""We knew the defense had to step it up and make more plays.""
The Wisconsin defensive unit enters this weekend as the No. 3 scoring defense in the nation, allowing just over five points per contest.
On the other side of the ball, the Badgers are ranked No. 90 out of 117 Division 1-A teams in total offense, and are dead last in the Big Ten in scoring offense. This lack of offensive production is a major concern for the Badgers as they enter the Big Ten season.
""In the Big Ten season we're going to have to score more than nine points to win a game, so that definitely has been a focus of ours,"" said junior wide receiver Jonathan Orr.
Wisconsin will look to get something going against a Penn State defense that is ranked 15th in the nation. Anchored by junior tackles Jay Alford and Tamba Hali, the Nittany Lions' defense has been dominating against the run all year, allowing only 261 rushing yards on the year. That is going to put pressure on sophomore quarterback John Stocco and the Wisconsin receiving corps to come up with some big plays, something that has been elusive so far this year. No Badger wide receiver has had a catch over 30 yards or eclipsed 100 yards on the season.
""As a receiver you want an opportunity to make plays,"" commented Orr. ""We have been winning and that's the important thing, but sooner or later we're going to have to open it up more.""
The main reason for this conservative play is that the Badger coaches have been reluctant to put the game into the hands of the inexperienced Stocco. Instead, the Badgers have been relying upon the running game and their defense to play low-scoring field position battles. Should Penn State put together a couple of quick scores, the Badgers will be forced to abandon this strategy and ask more of Stocco.
This is why the Badgers defense, which had not allowed a touchdown all season until senior defensive back Jim Leonhard slipped during coverage midway through the Arizona game, will once again be asked to carry their team. However, they will face their toughest opponent in a Penn State offense which averages over 450 yards per game. Led by senior quarterback Zack Mills, who last week became the Nittany Lions all-time leading passer, the Penn State offense is willing to pass or run on any down, keeping opposing defense in the dark.
While the Penn State running attack centers on sophomore tailback Tony Hunt, sophomore tailback Austin Scott and versatile senior quarterback Michael Robinson also see action on the ground. Hunt, the most explosive of all the Penn State runners, will test the lauded Badger front four, as he is averaging almost eight yards per carry so far this year. If Wisconsin is forced to put eight or nine men in the box to stop Hunt, look for the Nittany Lions to go to the 10 yard out routes which plagued the Badger secondary all last season. While Scott serves as more of a backup to Hunt, going in to give the starter a breather, Robinson is used as a ""slash"" back, who is always a threat to throw out of the backfield.
Against this balanced attack, the Badgers will look to do two things-shut down the running game early, forcing Penn State to become one-dimensional and get consistent pressure on Mills. The Penn State offense has already shown that it is prone to making mistakes, turning the ball over six times against Central Florida, including two Mills interceptions. If the Badgers front four can keep the pressure on the Penn State quarterback, then Wisconsin's defensive backfield will be able to take advantage of Mills' tendency to force throws.
""Forcing turnovers is always a focus in every game. When we get an opportunity we want to get as many turnovers as possible,"" Starks said.
