Wisconsin Badgers: Key Player Matchups in '09

Going into the 2009 college football season, expectations are low everywhere for the Wisconsin Badgers.

The downfall of the Big Ten over the last few years has really contributed to an overall perception of the Big Ten as slow, stodgy and unable to keep up with the rest of the country.

The Badgers have some key returning players, on offense and defense. John Clay, David Gilreath, Chris Maragos, Culmer St. Jean, O'Brien Schofield, Garret Graham. Which of these players need to step up?

And when?

The following are key matchups that will determine the whether the Badgers will play in a BCS bowl, or not be bowl eligible.

1. Michigan State interior defense against Badgers running backs

The Spartans are returning eight starters on defense, and while none of them is Uber-talented, just having eight guys come back helps with continuity and consistency.

Linebackers Greg Jones, Adam Decker, and Eric Gordon will look to stop the Badgers rushing attack, which is sure to be potent. John Clay will get most of the carries for the Badgers with Zack Brown backing him up.

What makes this such an intriguing match up is that it will be John Clay's coming out party in the Big Ten as a starter, and the MSU defense has to know that he will get the ball until they prove that they can stop him

Clay and co. will have a great offensive line to block for the them and Clay has the potential to be first team All Big Ten.

Advantage: Wisconsin

2. Minnesota's receivers Against the Badgers Secondary

With the return of quarterback Adam Weber and leading wide reciever Eric Decker, the Golden Gophers look to have a potent passing attack. Decker is backed up by Ben Kuznia and Brandon Green, two solid receivers. The Gophers will have the best passing team in the Big Ten.

If this game were in Madison, I would give the advantage to the Badgers. Aubrey Pleasant, Chris Maragos, Aaron Henry, Niles Brinkley, and Jay Valai will all be key returning pieces to the Wisconsin secondary.

The interesting battle here will be between Eric Decker and Niles Brinkley. Brinkley is a ball hawk, who finds a way to make plays.

Decker is a big receiver with great hands.

The battle between Decker and the Wisconsin cornerbacks will be great, and Decker will step up to prove why he should be a member of the All Big Ten team.

Advantage: Minnesota

3. Terrelle Pryor against O'Brien Schofield, JJ Watt, and Brendan Kelly

The Ohio State Buckeyes will be trying to become Big Ten champs again. The key to stopping OSU this year will be stopping sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Pryor is lighning quick and very elusive. He has been working on his passing skills in the off seasoon to become more of a dual threat quarterback.

O'Brien Schofield led the Badgers in sacks last season, watch for him to be challenged by JJ Watt on the other end for that honor this year.

This game will all be determined by how well the Badgers end can contain Terrelle Pryor and force him to the inside where the linebackers can take care of business.

The Badger secondary will cover the OSU receivers and force some scrambling by Pryor. The Badgers will want revenge on Pryor after his game-winning touchdown last season in Madison.

Pryor makes this battle very interesting, as he will be trying to prove that he can throw the ball, not only efficiently, but for some scores.

Pryor is limited in options after losing running back Chris Wells and his two top receivers, Brian Hartline and Brian Robiskie.

Advantage: Wisconsin

4. Iowa's Secondary against Wisconsin's Receivers

Iowa's defense is stacked. I mean they are going to be very, very good this year. And when they force the Badgers to throw, things could get interesting.

The Wisconsin quarterback job is still up for grabs. Dustin Sherer, Scott Tolzien, and Curt Phillips are all battling to fill the spot.

David Gilreath, Nick Toon and Kyle Jefferson, are all receivers with great speed and Jeferson proved in his freshman season of 2007 that he is tough as nails.

Watch for the Badgers to stay away from throwing at Amari Spievey, a 6', 190 pound, hard hitting, shutdown cornerback.

They will instead challenge Jordan Bernstine, who is taking over for departed star Bradley Fletcher.

The athleticism of the Badgers will be pitted against the toughness and grit of the Hawkeye defense.

Advantage: Draw

The Badgers will beat Michigan State in a blowout, surprising a few people. They will lose to Minnesota, and take OSU to the very edge before losing by a field goal.

The Badgers will beat Iowa, and go to a very solid bowl game.

This Big Ten season will be very wild, and no one really knows who the best team will be, but if the Badgers get a consistent quarterback and defensive line, they may be in the picture for Big Ten champ come November.