The Oregon Ducks are set to face off against the Wisconsin Badgers this weekend in Madison during a highly anticipated contest.
The Badgers have had a tumultuous journey to this point, looking like an exceptional team at times and struggling to move the football at others. However, with a much-needed bye week after the catastrophic Iowa Hawkeyes loss, the Badgers are in position to keep the Ducks game close. Oregon is a team in the opposite position, crawling towards a needed bye after quite a grind since their previous bye-week in September.
Oregon has been playing generally great football this season and while the Wisconsin Badgers have not, that does not mean they do not have a possible path to victory.
Wisconsin Badgers Key to Victory #1: Pressure Dillon Gabriel at All Costs
The first and perhaps most key to victory for the Wisconsin Badgers is going to involve pressuring star quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The quarterback recently etched his name into the record books after a historic touchdown pass. One of the biggest reasons as to why Gabriel was able to achieve such an accomplishment this season was largely due to the fact that his offense line has kept him upright.
Gabriel has been sacked ten times this season and in the three closes games this year for the Ducks, the opposing team recorded multiple pressures and/or a sack. The quarterback is excellent for the Oregon Ducks, but admittedly struggles when pressured like the majority of quarterbacks.
If the Wisconsin Badgers can scheme up a way to generate pressure against the Oregon Ducks line, it would certainly help slow down Gabriel and the offense.
Wisconsin Badgers Key to Victory #2: Establish the Run Early and Often on Offense
As stated previously, the Oregon Ducks are great but they are not a perfect team and there are some things the team has struggled with. The Oregon defense has been a boogeyman of sorts for many offenses this year but that is due to the fact that the go-to plan failed.
Opposing teams have primarily been passing the ball against the Oregon defense, attempting 31.1 passes per game and 31.4 rushes. However, the Ducks are the 19th best pass-defense unit for opponent completion percentage (56.07%) and the seventh-ranked unit for yards per pass completion (5.7). On the ground, the Ducks have been successful as well, but in part due to the fact that they have forced opposing teams into passing the ball.
If the Wisconsin Badgers can utilize the freshness of coming off of a bye-week and create holes on the ground for the running backs, that could really allow Wisconsin to move the football.
Wisconsin Badgers Key to Victory #3: Avoid Making Costly Mistakes on Offense
If there is one thing that cannot be done against a team of the caliber of Oregon, it would certainly be giving up any sort of offensive momentum. The Wisconsin Badgers starting quarterback Braedyn Locke has severely struggled with interceptions this season, throwing at least one in all of his starts.
Wisconsin cannot afford mistakes from Locke or anyone else on offense to occur, as the Ducks and Gabriel have been lethal this season. The more chances the Badgers give the Ducks on offense, the more likely it is that the score will become out of hand.
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