Indiana’s Defensive Keys to Win Over Wisconsin

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Written by Amanda Pavelka (@amandapavelka3)

No. 12 Indiana’s second toughest competition looms in the bitter cold city of Madison, Wisconsin. Since it is very possible the Hoosiers could clinch the Big Ten East’s spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, there has not been a matchup more important than the one against the No. 16 Wisconsin Badgers. Here is what Hoosier defense needs to do to get the job done and move on 6-1 this Saturday.

Take away the ball, and keep it

The Hoosiers lead college football with 16 interceptions on the 2020 season. In back-to-back-to-back games, the Hoosiers have racked up three interceptions, but they have also gave two of those takeaways back to the opposing offense. I don’t want to reopen old wounds, but if the Hoosiers would have handled the stolen ball against Ohio State, they could have won.

If the Hoosiers pressured Justin Fields into throwing three interceptions, they are capable of doing the same with Graham Mertz. Mertz had a rough game in their loss to Northwestern, where he threw three picks. Handling the takeaways they manage to grab will be just as important of a key for IU in Madison. Fundamentals are so very important in this matchup.

Badger Mertz into Throwing

Wisconsin’s strength is its run game, so Indiana’s defensive line needs to bring their ‘A’-game to shut it down. The Badgers have a trio of talented running backs that their offensive game plan relies on— Jalen Berger, Nakia Watson, and Garrett Groshek. Berger heads the run game for the Badgers with 30 runs for 180 yards in just two games, (averaging six yards per carry). Watson trails the true freshman with 38 carries for 153 yards. Groshek was also only able to play 2 games due to COVID-19, but has managed 20 runs for 80 yards.

If the Hoosier defensive line can bring the pressure, they’ll find themselves possessing the ball for longer than the Badgers, which will determine the outcome the Saturday afternoon matchup.

Block Mertz to Ferguson

Wisconsin’s wideouts have been quiet this season so far. Chimere Dike leads the wide receiver corps with 4 catches for 81 yards in 2 games. Danny Davis III and Kendric Pryor trail with 81 and 78 rushing yards.

The Badgers’ biggest air threat lies in the hands of junior tight end Jake Ferguson. In the three games the Badgers have played, Ferguson leads the team in catching by far 18 receptions on 181 yards. He has scored a team-leading four of the team’s 14 touchdowns.

This game is as much about scoring as how the Hoosiers secondary executes their plan for the Badgers as they attempt to stretch the field. Defense needs to step up to take the pressure off Jack Tuttle for his first Big Ten start.

Kickoff is set for 3:30 ET on ABC at a fanless Camp Randall Stadium.