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How we match up with Wisconsin

Cool

Now compare defensive stats since the second half of the Oregon Game

I'll give you two stats that should probably stand out to you since the second half at Oregon...

In 14 quarters of football our defense has been responsible for 20 points and 763 yards of total offense that averages out to 218 yards a game

Oregon (2nd Half) - 157 Yards/0 Points

NIU - 213 Yards/7 Points (14 points were pick 6's)

Rutgers - 194 Yards/7 Points (10 points were on Lee's pick 6 and other interception that gave them the ball in field goal range)

Illinois - 199 yards/6 Points

Lets see where 1.4 points per game and 218 yards puts us

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/22
 
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Cool

Now compare defensive stats since the second half of the Oregon Game

I'll give you two stats that should probably stand out to you since the second half at Oregon...

In 14 quarters of football our defense has been responsible for 20 points and 763 yards of total offense that averages out to 218 yards a game

Oregon (2nd Half) - 157 Yards/0 Points

NIU - 213 Yards/7 Points (14 points were pick 6's)

Rutgers - 194 Yards/7 Points (10 points were on Lee's pick 6 and other interception that gave them the ball in field goal range)

Illinois - 199 yards/6 Points

Lets see where 1.4 points per game and 218 yards puts us

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/22
stats are almost completely worthless. it is very dependent on who you play. I imagine NIU, Rut, and Illini rank very low offensively.
 
Stats are indicative of what you did given a specific opponent and over time will give fairly good info. Does a big passing game over sisters if the poor mean anything? No but add in 3-4 more games and you start to see trends.

It is fair to say statistically the D has stepped up since halftime of Oregon but then you need to look at the stats if those opponents to get a better picture.

Anyone who says stats are meaningless never met a coach.
 
I believe our defense is getting better, but I also believe that we just played 2 of the worst offenses in the entire country (117th and 126th respectively). Both of these things can be true.

I'm more worried about our offense vs Wisconsin's defense, which so far is 3rd in the nation in terms of rushing yards allowed per play. Then again, they haven't played the toughest schedule yet either.
 
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I believe our defense is getting better, but I also believe that we just played 2 of the worst offenses in the entire country (117th and 126th respectively). Both of these things can be true.

I'm more worried about our offense vs Wisconsin's defense, which so far is 3rd in the nation in terms of rushing yards allowed per play. Then again, they haven't played the toughest schedule yet either.
NW got smashed by Duke. BYU is horrible. FAU is horrible. Who else am I missing? Wisconsin hasn't been tested at all and IF we can limit our mistakes and force a few turnovers we can beat them.
 
I think we matchup pretty well against Wisconsin (at least compared to other top teams like OSU and PSU). Their strength on O, matches up with our strength on D, etc. The key will be not falling behind, to the point the we feel like we need to air it out to get points, and to take our medicine on 3rd and long, punts are OK. Their pass rush is dominant and we will be in trouble if we have to pass. Need to throw on our terms and be willing to throw quick passes and run draws on obvious passing downs. No turnovers, no sacks and we will have a shot.
 
NW got smashed by Duke. BYU is horrible. FAU is horrible. Who else am I missing? Wisconsin hasn't been tested at all and IF we can limit our mistakes and force a few turnovers we can beat them.

Agreed. Neither team has played a tough schedule so I feel like anything could happen. But I'd be lying if I wasn't worried about their defense. Their Front 7 is as good as we'll see this year, and Tanner Lee has generally not done well under defensive pressure. His lack of mobility could be a big issue in this game.
 
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Eek Oh, there will be sacks
I probably should have said limit sacks. But we really need to game plan away from their pressure and not let them get after us with their blitz packages on third and long type situations.
 
I probably should have said limit sacks. But we really need to game plan away from their pressure and not let them get after us with their blitz packages on third and long type situations.

Easy. Just don't get into a 3rd and long. :)
 
Lee will need to play smart. Chuck the ball oob, take a sack. RBs will need to run hard.
 
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If I am Wisconsin - for the sake of tradition - I run jet sweep as the first offensive play of every game against Nebraska from now until the end of time

Lol. Attack the boundaries! Slow OLB and CB's. I luv it jlb.

Don't mess with the Jesus
 
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As an obviously biased fan, I don't think NU matches up very well against the Badgers at all. Lee has shown that pressure really rattles him and he tends to force throws and lock on to guys. What does UW do better than all but 4-5 teams in CFB? Create pressure and force turnovers. Unless Lee has been gaming us all season and a totally different player shows up he is in for a long night.

I find the fact that most posters predicting a win are using the teams schedules as the main point in favor of a Nebraska win telling. Sure UW hasn't really faced any quality teams yet (though NW is the second best team either of us have faced so far), but they have also completely dominated those teams. NW was the first time all season that UW had to play its starters in the 4th quarter. The Badgers still led that one 31-10 with under 9 mins to play before going into prevent D to close it out.

I don't know how you can look at the two bodies of work and see similar resumes. UW has blown through a bunch of cupcakes as one would expect a contender for the B1G title to do, while NU has already lost to a MAC team, gave up 42 points in a half in another loss, got taken to the brink by a Sun Belt team that just got waxed by SMU, and beat Rutgers and Illinois by a combined 32 points (or 24 points less than OSU just beat Rutgers by).

I guess I'm just not getting the optimism generated by beating those two bottom dwellers, and really not all that convincingly at that. This is the best Badger squad in years, probably since that 2011 team with Russell Wilson, and is much better than NU faced the last two seasons. Is NU a better team? At this point it sure doesn't seem like it. Memorial stadium at night is obviously a big plus on NU's side but is it enough to swing the outcome?

The difference in this series has been turnovers, and Lee is the most INT prone QB NU has had so far while this UW D excels at creating them. They play fast and aggressive with a veteran, playmaking secondary. Also, I just don't see enough change in the overall toughness of Nebraska yet. There are still too many bad angles and missed tackles from the Blackshirts. Its one thing to limit Illinois and Rutgers to under 200 yards. However, against competent offenses NU has given up 566 yards and 42 points and 497 yards and 36 points. UW has a competent offense. The run over the last 14 quarters is impressive but it also coincides with the Huskers facing some terrible offenses. I could be way off base here and be forced to eat some crow, but I really believe that this UW team is special and I see them coming through against NU this week.
 
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Hornibrook and Lee and two peas in pod when it comes to pressure. And if Northwestern can shut your running game down, our d-line can too. Wisconsin's D is formidable, but they haven't had to cover talent like Morgan, DPE, and Spielman. This is the MSU game from 2015 all over again. We win the turnover battle, we win the game.
 
Lee has to stay patient and remember that sometimes a punt is the better result.
Having Stan out for awhile may have been a good thing. Could be really easy for Lee to use him as a security blanket. Getting DPE and JD more involved in the passing game helps Stan become that guy who can make the move the chains type of receptions. In addition, some sets that isolate Tyjon against a slower defender would be nice.
 
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