With the Wisconsin Badgers’ dominant performance over the Kent State Golden Flashes, an interesting dynamic is created going into their next match against the Michigan State Spartans, who have exhibited uncharacteristically shaky defense.
For the last few years, the Heisman Trophy has seen quarterbacks dominate the award. Since 2010, nine of 10 of the winners have been quarterbacks.
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor has enjoyed an extraordinary 2019 season thus far, appearing nearly unstoppable each time he carries the rock.
The 2018 Wisconsin Badgers offense was a one man show – heavily reliant on star running back Jonathan Taylor. The wide receivers and quarterback Jack Coan recognized that this offseason and made a concerted effort to create more balance within the offense.
The Wisconsin faithful must have known the game was gonna be a blowout. Either that, or the inclement weather scared them away from filling up Camp Randall the way they usually do. Either way, there were pockets of empty seats throughout the stadium and you can’t blame them.
While as a whole, Wisconsin has had one of its more dominant seasons ever on offense, scoring over 42 points per game, Jonathon Taylor and the Badgers were stymied by Northwestern, scoring only ten points off of a Taylor touchdown and a field goal. This shouldn’t be concerning against a Big Ten defense, but the Badgers should look to get back into rhythm against a weaker Kent State defense that has surrendered 42.5 points to Power 5 programs this season. While it is important to focus on the game at hand, the Badgers would do well to view this as a tune up game before facing much tougher competition in Big Ten conference play.
The defending champion Clemson Tigers were supposed to breeze through their schedule once again this season. With All-American and hair legend Trevor Lawrence at quarterback, stud Travis Etienne in the backfield and a wide receiving core that seems like a video game cheat (especially Tee Higgins), it seems inevitable that they’ll return to the Playoff, and possibly go back-to-back. Sure, they lost a lot in their defensive front seven, but they have the talent to steamroll their ACC opponents.
Last season’s starting inside linebackers T.J. Edwards and Ryan Connelly both moved on to the NFL, leaving a hole that redshirt senior Chris Orr has thrived in.
Donning minimalist red jerseys and brown pants on Saturday against Northwestern, the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers (4-0 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) beat the Northwestern Wildcats (1-3 overall, 0-2 Big Ten) in their late-19th century throwback threads.
The Wisconsin Badgers host the Kent State Golden Flashes at Camp Randall on Saturday Oct. 5 at 11a.m. in a match that provides the Badgers their second brush with a MAC conference opponent after their game against Central Michigan.
Entering the 2017 season, senior linebacker Zack Baun was primed to be a key piece on Wisconsin’s defense after playing meaningful snaps in 2016. Baun had appeared in 12 games in 2016, with his best performance coming against Ohio State where he had six tackles and a tackle for loss. Baun’s 2017 season was cut short, however, when he suffered a torn lisfranc ligament in his left leg, sidelining him for the rest of the year. The injury came in late August during fall camp – a devastating blow to what looked to be a promising season for the Brown Deer, Wis. native.
“We just didn’t click,” Wisconsin wide receiver A.J. Taylor said postgame. “That’s not us, and we’ll get back to playing Wisconsin football pretty soon.” Although the attitude in the media room from No. 8 Wisconsin’s (4-0 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) players and coaches was positive, the offensive struggles overshadowed another dominant defensive performance in the Badgers’ 24-15 victory over Northwestern (1-3, 0-2) Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall.
Wisconsin’s (4-0, 2-0) defense has been special all season coming into Saturday’s game against Northwestern (1-3, 0-2), and the Badgers offense needed all of the support it could get from the defense in a scrappy 24-25 win over Northwestern.
In Jonathan Taylor’s illustrious career at UW, he has surpassed the 100-yard mark in 28 of his 33 appearances. Of the five games where he was held under 100 yards, two of those were against the Northwestern Wildcats.
Week four of the college football season has only intensified an already extremely close heisman race. Tua Tagovailoa remains the favorite, but the contenders behind him are certainly pushing to narrow the gap. Below are my top four contenders for the Heisman.
We are now well into the college football season, and it’s been a fun year so far. Week 4 saw the continued dominance of a national powerhouse, Ohio State, and the continued downfall of another, in Michigan.
Wisconsin is coming off a dominant win against Michigan, where they showed the college football world they could contend for the College Football Playoff. Northwestern has been disappointing to say the least after winning the Big Ten West last year. Here are the keys for each to win Saturday afternoon.
A slow start to the season for the Northwestern Wildcats (1-2 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) and reigning Big Ten West champions has them tied with Rutgers and Purdue with the worst record in the Big Ten.
Last season, Wisconsin’s passing offense was anemic. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook couldn’t make simple plays and his receivers couldn’t find any separation. Running back Jonathan Taylor still had success but faced defenses that knew the Badgers would only throw out of necessity.
Last season, Wisconsin’s passing offense was anemic. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook couldn’t make simple plays and his receivers couldn’t find any separation. Jonathan Taylor still had success but faced defenses that knew the Badgers would only throw out of necessity.
Solutions by The State News
