Wisconsin vs. Michigan State - Game of the week

[Big Red Said]

That game was an anomaly. Chris Borland had just gotten hurt, as had two starters on our offensive line. Nick Toon played, but was still nowhere near 100% after an injury kept him out two games. My memory sucks now, but I feel like there were at least two other starters injured (maybe on the D-Line).

Anyways, our defense was completely off that day. Our linebackers outside of Taylor looked completely lost, as did our D-Line outside of JJ. The offensive side was even worse. Scott Tolzien threw 25 passes that day. Seven were dropped by wide open receivers, including four on third downs that would have led to first downs. They also returned a punt for a TD.

Even with all of this, MSU had to convert two fourth downs on their last drive to stop our offense from coming back on the field with a chance to win and three minutes left. In other words, we played our D- game and were still very much in it until they scored a TD with 2:43 left.

And we are much better than we were at that point last year. Michigan State is probably slightly worse, though they have the potential to be better. Much like last year, MSU can win, but it will require us at least partially beating ourselves.

OK, can't argue with any of this as was not paying attention to either team last year... but one thing you failed to mention is.. MSU spotted you 3 turnovers in that game... it appears...

(and this is your first road game for 2011... <-- Wow... I can't hardly believe this.......)

 

[BigAppleBadger]

First "true" road game if you wanna call it that. They have played outside the state of Wisconsin. Not the Badgers' fault that NIU is trying to build a fan base in Chicago and wanted their home game played at Soldier Field.

 

[goDAWGSsicem]

Wisconsin has yet to really impress me. Nothing that they are doing wrong, just a lack of respect for the competition they've faced.

MSU's defense should be a good test, but I'm not sold on them either. Especially after losing to... ND.

 

[Uman5]

Wisconsin has yet to really impress me. Nothing that they are doing wrong, just a lack of respect for the competition they've faced.

MSU's defense should be a good test, but I'm not sold on them either. Especially after losing to... ND.

Who the fuck has UGA played? Oh wait they did play BSU, got beat. Oh, oh, oh they played So Car, got beat (and they are dropping like a rock now).

Wisky would kill UGA.

 

[rmilia1]

The whole "Wisconsin hasnt played anyone" thing is a joke IMO. Wisconsin DESTROYED a top 15 caliber Nebraska team but since they absolutely demolished the Huskers it turns into a situation where people say the Huskers were overrated instead of giving the Badgers props. Ironically if Wisconsin had won that game 24-21 in comeback fashion they would receive more credit for it than they do by winning 48-17. It would have been " Wisconsin comes from behind to beat a high quality team" instead of " Oh Nebraska sucks". When Wisconsin destroys MSU this week itll be " Well MSU got beat by Notre Dame so that win isnt that great" blah blah blah. Ive watched ALL of the top teams extensively and WIsconsin has more offense balance than any of them, they have a better OLine than any of them, they have a better ground game than any of them and their QB is just as good as any of them. Bama and LSU have better defenses but no one and I mean no one is holding the Badgers to less than 30-35 points this year unless Wisconsin turns the ball over 3-4 times.

 

[RubiconCross]

The whole "Wisconsin hasnt played anyone" thing is a joke IMO. Wisconsin DESTROYED a top 15 caliber Nebraska team but since they absolutely demolished the Huskers it turns into a situation where people say the Huskers were overrated instead of giving the Badgers props. Ironically if Wisconsin had won that game 24-21 in comeback fashion they would receive more credit for it than they do by winning 48-17. It would have been " Wisconsin comes from behind to beat a high quality team" instead of " Oh Nebraska sucks". When Wisconsin destroys MSU this week itll be " Well MSU got beat by Notre Dame so that win isnt that great" blah blah blah. Ive watched ALL of the top teams extensively and WIsconsin has more offense balance than any of them, they have a better OLine than any of them, they have a better ground game than any of them and their QB is just as good as any of them. Bama and LSU have better defenses but no one and I mean no one is holding the Badgers to less than 30-35 points this year unless Wisconsin turns the ball over 3-4 times.

I think the "haven't played anybody yet" may be more directed at your non-conf games. Even Coach B indicated as much as to why UW got hosed in the early BCS rankings. I AM NOT saying Notre Dame is anything to write home about, but they are a better team than what was fielded those 1st 2 losses. AND I SURE AS HELL AM NOT DEFENDING THOSE MISRERABLE GOD FORSAKEN IRISH, Go Army, Navy, Mangina State or whoever else is on their schedule

 

[rmilia1]

I think the "haven't played anybody yet" may be more directed at your non-conf games. Even Coach B indicated as much as to why UW got hosed in the early BCS rankings. I AM NOT saying Notre Dame is anything to write home about, but they are a better team than what was fielded those 1st 2 losses. AND I SURE AS HELL AM NOT DEFENDING THOSE MISRERABLE GOD FORSAKEN IRISH, Go Army, Navy, Mangina State or whoever else is on their schedule

Wisconsins OOC schedule was bad no doubt but they cant control ( nor can anybody) how good teams are they are playing. I mean when the Oregon State game was schedule the Beavers were a play away from playing in the Rose Bowl and this year they suck. Frankly the Badgers NEVER have a good OOC schedule which is too abd but its how they have chosen to run their program and its not like Wisky is pulling a Clemson and beating Wofford by 8. The Badgers are BURYING everyone they play. They are the first team in 25 years to win their first 6 games by 30+.

 

[axisoftime]

Wisky 34 Sparty 13

Sparty has a solid defense and will hold against that massive OLine for a few drives until Wilson starts picking apart the D, then its over

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

:eek2:

I can't believe I'm the only one here (besides the MSU fans) who thinks this game might be close.

Wisconsin's offense appears great, but don't forget they haven't even faced a top 50 defense yet. The best defense they went up against was Nebraska's (the 58th ranked defense in the country) and you saw what Ohio State's anemic offense was able to do against that defense.

In fact, they have went up against the 110th, 75th, 90th, 58th, 105th ranked defenses in FBS..........and the other one was South Dakota who is an FCS school.

This Michigan State defense is in a completely different league than Wisconsin's previous opponents, that's all I'm saying. They may even be the best defense in the country.

 

[rmilia1]

:eek2:

I can't believe I'm the only one here (besides the MSU fans) who thinks this game might be close.

Wisconsin's offense appears great, but don't forget they haven't even faced a top 50 defense yet. The best defense they went up against was Nebraska's (the 58th ranked defense in the country) and you saw what Ohio State's anemic offense was able to do against that defense.

In fact, they have went up against the 110th, 75th, 90th, 58th, 105th ranked defenses in FBS..........and the other one was South Dakota who is an FCS school.

This Michigan State defense is in a completely different league than Wisconsin's previous opponents, that's all I'm saying. They may even be the best defense in the country.

JJM you are right on this but the difference is that Wisconsin called off the dogs in alot of these games. Badgers could have put up 70+ in every game save the Nebraska game and part of the reason the teams they have played have such poorly rated defenses is that they played Wisconsin MSU has a good defense ( probably a top 10 defense in CFB) but Over their last 12 regular season games Wisconsin is averaging 58 ppg. Its going to be ugly IMO.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

I can definitely see it getting ugly. I can also see it being close though. This is the first time this year that I've been able to say that about Wisconsin.

 

[axisoftime]

:eek2:

I can't believe I'm the only one here (besides the MSU fans) who thinks this game might be close.

Wisconsin's offense appears great, but don't forget they haven't even faced a top 50 defense yet. The best defense they went up against was Nebraska's (the 58th ranked defense in the country) and you saw what Ohio State's anemic offense was able to do against that defense.

In fact, they have went up against the 110th, 75th, 90th, 58th, 105th ranked defenses in FBS..........and the other one was South Dakota who is an FCS school.

This Michigan State defense is in a completely different league than Wisconsin's previous opponents, that's all I'm saying. They may even be the best defense in the country.

I hope it's a good game and it very well could be. but I feel strongly that Sparty goes Sparty and can't do shit on offense. Wisky will get up by 2 scores and then pound the rock down Sparty's throat and burn em a few times with play action

 

[Smart]

:eek2:

I can't believe I'm the only one here (besides the MSU fans) who thinks this game might be close.

Wisconsin's offense appears great, but don't forget they haven't even faced a top 50 defense yet. The best defense they went up against was Nebraska's (the 58th ranked defense in the country) and you saw what Ohio State's anemic offense was able to do against that defense.

In fact, they have went up against the 110th, 75th, 90th, 58th, 105th ranked defenses in FBS..........and the other one was South Dakota who is an FCS school.

This Michigan State defense is in a completely different league than Wisconsin's previous opponents, that's all I'm saying. They may even be the best defense in the country.

But there are so many metrics that make it obvious that this is a special offense. Keep in mind that three of these linemen were starters last year over Bill Nagy, who is now starting on the Dallas Cowboys (and he looks to be their second or third best lineman). One of the two new starters (Wagner) is already being looked at as a top draft prospect whenever he comes out. The fifth guy (Frederick) is the strongest of the bunch, and is an All-Conference contender. In other words, this is an NFL-caliber offensive line. They may literally be better than half of a dozen lines in the league, and that simply doesn't happen every year.

Our QB is a four year starter who has been All-Conference in a major conference in two of his three previous seasons. He is considered a 2nd or 3rd round pick if he decides to go the football route, which is exceptional considering that he is listed at 5'11 and probably an inch shorter than that. The last QB that short to be rated that high was Drew Brees, and even he slipped to the second round.

Our RBs have both performed well against good teams in the past. Our offensive coordinator has proven himself to be one of the best play callers in football. Our receivers are the biggest question mark, but even there we are solid. Toon was considered a solid draft prospect going into the season, and his stock has gone way up. Abbredaris outperformed your #1, All-Conference CB Dennard. Pedersen has had some huge plays against good teams as well (most notably the game clinching catch against Ohio State last year) and he is a good blocker.

Sorry for the long post, but the idea that our offense is unproven is ludicrous. We literally have 11 proven players who played a fair bit against good teams. We scored 31 on two of the best defenses in America last year (OSU and Iowa) and gained a ton of yards against the best defense last year (TCU). With one more year under our belt, a more focused receiving corp, more explosive backs, and a quarterback that can buy 5-6 seconds every play, I wouldn't be surprised if this team could drop 50 on every team in America if the the first string offense played to score points for a whole game.

 

[rmilia1]

I can definitely see it getting ugly. I can also see it being close though. This is the first time this year that I've been able to say that about Wisconsin.

Sadly the Badgers are in a no win spot here. If they blow out Sparty itll be said that the " B10 sucks and MSU is overrated". If its close itll be " Wisky barely beat MSU so Wisconsin is overrated". Thats the major difference between the SEC and the B10. When the SEC top teams wins close games its because the league is so deep ( like when South Carolina barely beats a really bad Miss State team). When any other team does it its becuase they are overrated. I suppose you earn that right after 5 straight titles but it still blows for other teams outside the SEC.

 

[rmilia1]

But there are so many metrics that make it obvious that this is a special offense. Keep in mind that three of these linemen were starters last year over Bill Nagy, who is now starting on the Dallas Cowboys (and he looks to be their second or third best lineman). One of the two new starters (Wagner) is already being looked at as a top draft prospect whenever he comes out. The fifth guy (Frederick) is the strongest of the bunch, and is an All-Conference contender. In other words, this is an NFL-caliber offensive line. They may literally be better than half of a dozen lines in the league, and that simply doesn't happen every year.

Our QB is a four year starter who has been All-Conference in a major conference in two of his three previous seasons. He is considered a 2nd or 3rd round pick if he decides to go the football route, which is exceptional considering that he is listed at 5'11 and probably an inch shorter than that. The last QB that short to be rated that high was Drew Brees, and even he slipped to the second round.

Our RBs have both performed well against good teams in the past. Our offensive coordinator has proven himself to be one of the best play callers in football. Our receivers are the biggest question mark, but even there we are solid. Toon was considered a solid draft prospect going into the season, and his stock has gone way up. Abbredaris outperformed your #1, All-Conference CB Dennard. Pedersen has had some huge plays against good teams as well (most notably the game clinching catch against Ohio State last year) and he is a good blocker.

Sorry for the long post, but the idea that our offense is unproven is ludicrous. We literally have 11 proven players who played a fair bit against good teams. We scored 31 on two of the best defenses in America last year (OSU and Iowa) and gained a ton of yards against the best defense last year (TCU). With one more year under our belt, a more focused receiving corp, more explosive backs, and a quarterback that can buy 5-6 every plays, I wouldn't be surprised if this team could drop 50 on every team in America if the the first string offense played to score points for a whole game.

I would LOVE to see a Badgers offense firing on all cylinders against an LSU or a Bama. This offense is thebest offense in CFB for at elast the last few years IMO. They literrally have no weakenesses. As you said WR is the biggest question mark and even there they are in the top 25% of all CFB for talent.

 

[axisoftime]

Sadly the Badgers are in a no win spot here. If they blow out Sparty itll be said that the " B10 sucks and MSU is overrated". If its close itll be " Wisky barely beat MSU so Wisconsin is overrated". Thats the major difference between the SEC and the B10. When the SEC top teams wins close games its because the league is so deep ( like when South Carolina barely beats a really bad Miss State team). When any other team does it its becuase they are overrated. I suppose you earn that right after 5 straight titles but it still blows for other teams outside the SEC.

the Big 10 sucking bad this year will hurt Wisky either way

 

[BadMotoWeazal]

I would LOVE to see a Badgers offense firing on all cylinders against an LSU or a Bama. This offense is thebest offense in CFB for at elast the last few years IMO. They literrally have no weakenesses. As you said WR is the biggest question mark and even there they are in the top 25% of all CFB for talent.

Remember... Defense wins championships

 

[Smart]

I also forgot to mention that our offense doesn't turn the ball over. Our first string offense has (to my memory) only one turnover all year, and it was uncalled facemask on Wilson. Our last legitimate first string turnover was eight games ago.

 

[rmilia1]

Remember... Defense wins championships

Oh I know that but Sconnie has a really good defense too. Either of those games would be great IMO.

 

[Smart]

Remember... Defense wins championships

For all the talk of MSU's defense, our defense is probably as good as theirs. We've given up less points per game against a similar strength of offensive opponent.

They've played the # 22, 37, 84, 108, and 119 ranked offenses.
We've played # 17, 49, 68, 88, and 115.

As you can see, there isn't much difference. Before you respond that we have a better offense making it easier for our defense, it should be noted that our offense scores fast enough that they are on the field less than MSU's.