Five Things to Know: Wisconsin vs. Western Michigan
December 30, 2016 | Football, Andy Baggot
Notes on how the Badgers stack up against the Broncos as they prepare for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
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BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
DALLAS, Texas — Eighth-ranked Wisconsin makes its debut in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic when it faces off with No. 12 Western Michigan in the Badgers' first appearance in a New Year's Six game. The Badgers are in search of a third-consecutive bowl game victory after downing Auburn in the Outback Bowl following the 2014 season and topping USC in last year's Holiday Bowl. The Cotton Bowl marks the fifth all-time meeting between Wisconsin and Western Michigan, with the Badgers holding a 3-1 lead in the series. The teams are set to meet at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the first time since the 2000 season.
Here are five things you should know about Wisconsin's matchup with Western Michigan:
NOT SO GRAND
Wisconsin has faced its share of 1,000-yard rushers this season, so what's one more? The Broncos feature Jarvion Franklin, who accounted for 1,300 yards in 13 games, including six in which he topped 100. He's the seventh member of the 1,000-yard club to mix it up with the Badgers. The others have not fared so well. In fact, none have rushed for 100 yards and five failed to crack the 50-yard plateau against the second-ranked rush defense in the nation. The rundown: Justin Jackson of Northwestern had 42 and finished with 1,524; Saquon Barkley of Penn State had 83 and has 1,302; Derrius Guice of LSU had 3 and has 1,249; Rodney Smith of Minnesota had 45 and finished with 1,158; Mike Weber of Ohio State had 46 and has 1,072; and LeShun Daniels of Iowa had 35 and has 1,013.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Wisconsin ranks in the top 10 nationally in rushing defense (second), scoring defense (fourth), total defense (seventh) and pass efficiency defense (ninth). It also ranks in the top five in third-down defense (third) and red zone scoring defense (fifth). The unit has endured its share of personnel losses, including two starters out for the season (inside linebackers Jack Cichy and Chris Orr) and six others missing games due to injury (outside linebacker Vince Biegel, cornerback Natrell Jamerson, inside linebacker T.J. Edwards, end Alec James, nose tackle Olive Sagapolu and end Conor Sheehy). But the UW defense projects to be at its healthiest to face the Broncos given that James and Sheehy are back in the rotation after missing the Big Ten Conference title game loss to Penn State.
LIKE LOOKING IN A MIRROR
UW leads the nation in time of possession (35 minutes, 20 seconds) while the Broncos are fourth (34:21). The Badgers have a run-pass ratio of 66-34 while Western Michigan is 63-37. Wisconsin executes an average of 10.1 more plays from scrimmage than its opponent while the Broncos run 11.9 more than their foes.
IS THIS THE TIPPING POINT?
Wisconsin opponents have converted just 26.8 percent of their third-down attempts (45 of 168) this season. That's the third-best ratio in the nation behind Michigan (20.9) and Southern Mississippi (24.03). But while the Badgers have fared well against clubs that have strong conversion rates this season — Ohio State, Nebraska, Purdue, Michigan and LSU all topped 44 percent overall and were a combined 23-for-68 (.338) vs. UW — Western Michigan presents the stiffest test yet. The Broncos lead nation in third-down success at 54.2 percent (96 of 177) and have topped 60 percent five times. The only Badgers opponents to have any kind of third-down mojo this season were Nebraska (9-for-18, 50 percent) and Ohio State (6-for-15, 40 percent).
OR IS THIS THE TIPPING POINT?
The Badgers have forced 16 turnovers in their last six outings — 13 interceptions and three fumbles — and are ranked in the top 10 nationally in picks (third with 21) and takeaways (eighth with 27). But Western Michigan has done a fantastic job of mixing good ball security with some good fortune to produce the second-best turnover ratio in FBS at plus-19. The Broncos have fumbled 17 times — UW has done so 13 — but lost only four. Meanwhile, quarterback Zach Terrell has thrown but three interceptions to go along with 32 touchdowns.
