BY MIKE LUCAS
UWBadgers.com Senior Writer
MADISON, Wis. — They make up the least publicized, least recognized, least scrutinized position group.
But they are not the least valued or appreciated.
"They are workers and grinders," said Wisconsin defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield. "They take pride in what they do. They enjoy the grind. They love studying the game.
"We know that they're not going to be talking about the D-line.
"We're the unsung or whatever … And they get it."
And they don't mind it.
"I always feel the D-line has the strongest bond on this team," said defensive end Chikwe Obasih. "I know all the position groups will say what they will (about that point), but I feel we have the most collaborative personality on the team."
Interesting statement, isn't it? All for one? One for all?
"Instead of a bunch of individuals," Obasih said, "we're all doing what we need to do."
As one. As a group. An unheralded position group.
"We lead quietly," Obasih said.
Six Strong.
Obasih. Olive Sagapolu. Conor Sheehy. Alec James. Garrett Rand. Billy Hirschfeld.
Wisconsin will travel with six defensive linemen to Michigan State.
Three starters, three reserves.
(James is technically a starter in a three-man rotation with Obasih and Sheehy.)
"Small but strong," Obasih said of the numbers.
Zander Neuville could move back to the D-line, if needed. He knows the plays. That's where he lined up last season. In training camp, he was converted into a tight end where depth was also an issue.
The Badgers are redshirting freshman Isaiahh Loudermilk, who mimicked Michigan State's Malik McDowell on the scout team this week. McDowell is 6-foot-6, 276. Loudermilk is 6-7, 277. And still growing.
So is Rand, a 6-2, 274-pound freshman nose tackle out of Arizona. But his learning curve is different from Loudermilk's in that he's getting invaluable game reps as Sagapolu's backup.
"He (Rand) has come a long way," said Breckterfield. "I'm happy where he's at. His reads are better and he's always playing hard. This is a game where he's going to get some snaps."
Rand, a 500-pound bench presser, has been adjusting on the fly.
"It's fast, it's real fast," he said of the college game. "The teaching here has helped me adjust to the speed and just the intensity and how fast it really is. It's a step up from high school."
To date, Obasih has been encouraged by what he has seen out of Rand. "He brings a lot of energy," he said. "He's like us when we were sprightly and young freshmen."
Obasih, a redshirt junior, is only 21.
"But I've had a lot of snaps," he countered.
Obasih has 22 career starts.
By comparison, Sheehy is the second-most experienced D-lineman with 10 starts.
"We have stuff to clean up, but I like the way they're playing," Breckterfield said of the group as a whole. "They're playing hard, they're playing tough, they're playing with great technique.
"Now, there are always little details to fix — always something to get better at. But I like their approach and how they prepare. They study film, take notes and are engaged in conversation.
"That's what I appreciate about these guys. They're attentive and take to coaching. And the way they prepare all week is the best that I've been around."
Six Strong.
Breckterfield had some kinds words on each of his starters.
"Chikwe is a grinder but he's cerebral," he said. "He's got a question for everything, which is cool. But I do enjoy sometimes telling him, 'Be quiet.' He's fun to be around and loves the game."
Whereas Obasih is from Brookfield Central, James is from Brookfield East.
"Alec has learned how to play the run and that has given him more snaps," Breckterfield said. "He's got juice, he's quick, he's got a motor. He wants to be good and he has been working his butt off."
James, a prep linebacker, has been steadily putting on weight. He's up to 266.
"He became more confident in what he was doing," said Breckterfield, "at the end of last year."
James has carried that momentum into this season with sacks in each of the first two games.
Because the Badgers have faced spread offenses against Akron and Georgia State, it has limited Sagapolu's playing time. He comes off the field in the nickel package.
"His number has not been called much the last two weeks," Breckterfield said. "But I thought he played his butt off (against LSU). He held that middle tight and it showed on film."
Early in his career, Sheehy got a taste of nose tackle.
"Conor is a throwback," Breckterfield said of the 6-4, 288-pound junior from Milwaukee Marquette. "Conor is old-school. He's tough, he grinds and he doesn't say much."
Although he has seen limited action, Hirschfeld is getting closer to contributing more. "He got 19 to 20 snaps against Akron," Breckterfield noted. "He has earned time."
One of the keys to Saturday's game will be how Wisconsin's defensive line matches up with Michigan State's offensive line; a blue collar group if there ever was one.
"It will be a good challenge for us — it will be the best O-line to date we've played," said Breckterfield. "They're coached well and it's fun watching them. They're a gritty bunch."
The Spartans have had to replace three battle-tested starters: left tackle Jack Conklin (38 starts), center Jack Allen (47 starts) and right guard Donovan Clark (33 starts).
These were not run-of-the-mill Big Ten offensive linemen. The Tennessee Titans took Conklin in the first round of the NFL draft. He was the eighth selection overall.
As a result of these personnel losses, Michigan State has first-year starters at tackle: David Beedle and Miguel Machado. (LSU was in a comparable situation with inexperience on the edges.)
Notre Dame was no match for them up front, though; the Spartans rushed for 260 yards.
"They work well together," Obasih said.
And they will force a defense to get off blocks, especially in their tackle over formation.
"They've got every look you can think of," Breckterfield said. "Every gap scheme, every zone scheme, every trick. They will try to get to you with formations, even with their PAT."
The Spartans executed the "Swinging Gate" for a two-point conversion at Notre Dame.
"But what I like about our group," Breckterfield reiterated, "is that they will prepare."
Six Strong.
"We have to make sure we stay in our (run) fits," Obasih said, "and take it to them."
