Some observations about Wisconsin's vaunted rush defense - below I listed their games in order along with how each team fared rushing the ball against them. If anything will show the benefits of playing in the Big 10, this will. The games I highlighted were really the only games they played all year against a team with a pulse (though I suppose you could say USC is still on life support) and they just happen to include all three of their losses and one very narrow 2 point win.
vs. Alabama
37 carries, 238 yards (6.4 ypc)
vs. Miami of Ohio
24 carries, -3 yards (WTF)
vs. Troy
32 carries, 78 yards (2.4 ypc)
vs. Hawaii
18 carries, 15 yards (0.8 ypc)
vs. Iowa
40 carries, 144 yards (3.6 ypc)
vs. Nebraska
37 carries, 197 yards (5.3 ypc)
vs. Purdue
29 carries, 55 yards (1.9 ypc)
vs. Illinois
13 carries, 55 yards (4.2 ypc)
vs. Rutgers
38 carries, 83 yards (2.2 ypc)
vs. Maryland
32 carries, 112 yards (3.5 ypc)
vs. Northwestern
50 carries, 149 yards (3.0 ypc)
vs. Minnesota
18 carries, 53 yards (2.9 ypc)
vs. USC
28 carries, 65 yards (2.3 ypc)
It seems pretty clear to me that their rush defense - and their defense as a whole - had as much or more to do with the opponents they played than anything else, and that it was largely built on shutting down nobodies while actual contenders didn't seem to have too much trouble.. Now, missing three of their top four tacklers from last year and Aranda no longer calling the shots, I just don't see a very good night ahead for them...
On a side note, how do you play in the Big 10 without facing Michigan, Michigan State or Ohio State? Chickens are going to come home to roost though as they get all three of those guys this season, plus us. This is a team that's very likely to find themselves 2-4 halfway through the season.
vs. Alabama
37 carries, 238 yards (6.4 ypc)
vs. Miami of Ohio
24 carries, -3 yards (WTF)
vs. Troy
32 carries, 78 yards (2.4 ypc)
vs. Hawaii
18 carries, 15 yards (0.8 ypc)
vs. Iowa
40 carries, 144 yards (3.6 ypc)
vs. Nebraska
37 carries, 197 yards (5.3 ypc)
vs. Purdue
29 carries, 55 yards (1.9 ypc)
vs. Illinois
13 carries, 55 yards (4.2 ypc)
vs. Rutgers
38 carries, 83 yards (2.2 ypc)
vs. Maryland
32 carries, 112 yards (3.5 ypc)
vs. Northwestern
50 carries, 149 yards (3.0 ypc)
vs. Minnesota
18 carries, 53 yards (2.9 ypc)
vs. USC
28 carries, 65 yards (2.3 ypc)
It seems pretty clear to me that their rush defense - and their defense as a whole - had as much or more to do with the opponents they played than anything else, and that it was largely built on shutting down nobodies while actual contenders didn't seem to have too much trouble.. Now, missing three of their top four tacklers from last year and Aranda no longer calling the shots, I just don't see a very good night ahead for them...
On a side note, how do you play in the Big 10 without facing Michigan, Michigan State or Ohio State? Chickens are going to come home to roost though as they get all three of those guys this season, plus us. This is a team that's very likely to find themselves 2-4 halfway through the season.
