1. Run, Run, Run
The Badgers put up 404 yards against Akron on the ground alone. Marshall, who run a base 4-3 defense, will try to stop the Badgers own thundering herd in running backs junior P.J. Hill, sophomore Zach Brown, and freshman John Clay. Hill, who's ranked third nationally in rushing yards, took the bulk of the work last week as he racked up 210 yards and 2 TDs on just 26 carries. Brown and Clay combined for 158 yards and two TDs against the Zips. While these numbers are impressive, Coach Bielema said the praise for the Badger running game should go to the offensive line. Three key seniors, guard Andy Kemp, tackle Eric Vandenheuvel, and guard, and captain, Kraig Urbik helped kicked off their final campaigns with a dominant performance the Badgers hope to repeat this Saturday.
2. Fresh Meat
Marshall comes into a hostile Camp Randall venue with a freshman Mark Cann at QB. Cann was 11 for 22 with 161 yards, two TDs and an interception in his first career start at home against Illinois State. Cann will certainly face a much more difficult test in his first road start against the veteran Badger defense backed by its rowdy fans clad in cardinal. If the defense and student section can rattle the youngster early in the game, it could be a long day for the Thundering Herd and their 'green' Quarterback. The Badgers will look to improve their defensive effort after allowing 227 yards and two TD's passing to the Zips. Another strong game from linebackers and leading tacklers senior DeAndre Levy and junior Jaevery McFadden should be expected here, as the Badgers should look to improve facing a young QB while using their home-field advantage.
3. Passing on Passing
If week one proved anything, it's that senior quarterback Allan Evridge has mastered the art of taking a snap, turning around, and handing the ball off. Badgers fans have not seen the full extent of the lefty's talents as he handed the ball off a whopping 58 times versus only 10 passing attempts against the Zips. One of the ten attempts went for a touchdown, and another fell into the hands of the opponent. In all, Evridge's stat line was a very mundane 7/10, 75 yards, one touchdown, one interception. Many teammates applauded the only married Badger for his great leadership and game management skills, but many fans wanted to see the great arm that they had heard about. If the run game is as successful as it was last week, Evridge may once again be resting his arm, but if he is to let the ball fly, the game could get exciting for everybody, not just the Evridge family.
4. Herd about Me?
Sophomore wide receiver David Gilreath should have his shoes tied up tight for the game against Marshall as a punt or kick return for a TD looks to be in his sights. The biggest difference between the Thundering Herd and the Badgers in week one probably came down to special teams, as Marshall punted the ball six time against Illinois State. The Badgers punted only once, with freshman punter Brad Nortman made good use of his only chance and landed a 58-yard punt inside the 20. Philip Welch, the Badgers freshman kicker, was perfect in his first start connecting on all of his PAT's, registering his first FG, and having an average kickoff of 62 yards. Welch should look to improve on his efforts with his first real game under his belt.
While there may have been worries with former Badgers Ken Debauche and Taylor Melhaff gone, it seems that the Badgers are ready to continue their special teams dominance.
5. No Cake Walk
Last year, the Badgers went into their second game of the season against a miserable UNLV team. The outcome: a last second heroic play by Tyler Donovan to escape with a narrow 20-13 victory. UNLV finished the year with a 2-10 record. Moral of the story? The Badgers should never have been trailing the Rebels and cut the game too close. Whether Wisconsin took UNLV too lightly or simply had a bad game, those performances can't continue to happen. This year, the Badgers can't fall into the same trap that was set by UNLV and must punish Marshall at every opportunity they get. The Badgers are better than the Herd in every aspect of the game and need to come out strong, finish strong, and exert their dominance over the Herd so that Marshall doesn't put them in the same situation that UNLV did.
