Wisconsin Badgers Football: Breakin' Down The Schedule, UNLV Rebels

“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.”

So said Sun Tzu, Chinese general and author of The Art of War.

The Wisconsin Badgers certainly know themselves, a smash-mouth, hard-hitting football team that runs about 65 percent of the time.

But what about the competition? In this series, I hope to break down every opponent the Badgers will face on their regular season schedule, and give the keys to coming away with a victory.

Opponent One: UNLV Rebels

Conference: Mountain West

Head Coach: Bobby Hauck, first season

2009 record: 5-7

Key Returning Player Offense: WR, Phillip Payne, Junior. 58 receptions for 661 yards and seven touchdowns. Payne seemed to disappear late in the season, but still led the team in touchdowns.

Key Returning Player Defense: CB, Quinton Pointer, Senior. 71 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. Pointer did not have an interception last season, and that is going to have to change.

What to watch for on offense: The running game. The quarterbacks were second and third on the team in rushing last season, and the running backs will look to change that trend as the offense goes to a more power-oriented attack. The veteran line will be ready to line up and hit someone, and the backs are in place to produce with C.J. Cox, Bradley Randle, and Channing Trotter likely to combine for well over 1,500 yards.

What to watch for on defense: The tackles. The Rebels have had a tough time generating any sort of pass rush over the last several seasons, and they need to be better against the run on the inside. The Rebels feature three tackles over 300 pounds: Ransey Feagai (350 pounds), Nate Holloway (350 pounds), and Isaako Aaitui (315 pounds). Lightweight Isaiah Shivers (285 pounds) joins them to form the main foursome in the rotation. The Rebels are in for a long season unless someone up front can produce some sort of pressure on the opposing quarterback.

Against the Badgers

Bobby Hauck was brought to UNLV with the intention of establishing a decent defensive presence. On offense, expect the Rebels to test the Badgers' inexperienced D-Line with their experienced rushing attack. Both starter Omar Clayton and backup Mike Clayton are very mobile quarterbacks, and will provide a good warm-up for the fresh faces along the Badger front.

On defense, the Rebels need to generate pressure, and that will be tough to do against the Badgers' HUGE O-line.

The Badgers will have their way on offense and will be tested on defense, but will come away with a 17-point victory 31-14.