To be productive on offense is one thing, but scoring 201 points in the last three games (67 per game) is something special. To give effort throughout a game—regardless of score—is one thing, but a performance like junior defensive end J.J. Watt's on Saturday (seven tackles, three for loss, one sack, three quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a blocked extra point) is special. To earn a bowl berth after a successful season is one thing, but a potential trip to Pasadena is special.
As No. 5 Wisconsin (7-1 Big Ten, 11-1 overall) rolled to its third consecutive blowout victory and secured a share of its first conference championship since 1999, records fell, Rose Bowl hopes blossomed and the Badgers' defense made the prospect of facing UW in January all the more daunting for any opponent across the country. While defense has been a forte all season for the Badgers, the squad rose to an entirely new level Saturday night.
Wisconsin forced Northwestern into seven turnovers (four interceptions, three fumbles), including one on each of the Wildcats' first three possessions. UW turned five first-half turnovers by Northwestern into 21 points and built a 49-17 lead by halftime. The last seven points came in the fourth quarter when junior free safety Aaron Henry intercepted Wildcats' redshirt freshman quarterback Evan Watkins and returned it 50 yards to push the Badgers to the 70-point threshold for the third time this season.
Those three scoring outputs are the three highest in the modern era (since 1946) for Wisconsin.
""We're playing as well as anybody in the country,"" UW head coach Bret Bielema said. ""As a football coach I can sit back and say, ‘We can play with anybody.'""
The offensive barrage propelled Wisconsin to an average of 43.3 points per game overall and 45.3 ppg in Big Ten play this season. Since 1936, only four teams have averaged more than 40 ppg in conference play.
""We have a balanced package,"" senior left guard John Moffitt said. ""We've got good running backs and good offensive linemen and we're on the same page.""
""I feel bad for the defenses that we go against because I'm seeing defenses just get crumbled,"" senior strong safety Jay Valai said. ""You've got to pick your poison with our offense.""
Senior quarterback Scott Tolzien turned in a pretty good performance of his own, finishing 15 for 19 for 230 yards and four touchdowns—each of which came in the first half. For the year, he leads the Big Ten in pass efficiency (169.8) and is fourth in the country.
Tolzien and the offense consistently found themselves in great field position thanks to the turnovers and big plays from the defense. A large number of those came from Watt.
""At his position and for what he's done for our defense, I can't say there's anybody in our league that's comparable,"" Bielema said of his star defensive end. ""If anybody is playing better than him, I'd like to know.""
After finishing the season a perfect 7-0 at Camp Randall Stadium, Wisconsin will have a chance to add one more victory to what has been a largely dominating campaign. If the BCS rankings hold true, that opportunity will come at the Rose Bowl Jan. 1.
""We set a good statement today,"" Valai said when asked whether the Badgers deserved the Big Ten's top ranking. ""If today wasn't enough, I don't know what would be.""
