Big Ten Football: Keys To A Wisconsin Badger Victory Vs. The Iowa Hawkeyes
Wisconsin Badger's football coach, Brett Bielema has been questioned, criticized and harassed about his ability to coach the Badgers to a big win.
After last Saturday, he won't be anymore.
The Badgers knocked off the #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in convincing fashion, 31-18.
As the Badgers progress through the rest of their Big Ten slate, things definitely don't get any easier.
The Badgers head to Kinnick Stadium this weekend to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes, in what looks to be a season defining game for the Badgers.
Iowa has suffered only one loss this season, at the hands of once beaten Arizona.
Whichever one of these teams comes out on top gets a little bonus.
The Heartland Trophy is up for grabs in this game, and since these two don't play again for two years, the winner has bragging rights for a while.
Besides that, the winner of this game remains smack in the middle of BCS bowl contention, and the loser will be pretty much eliminated from consideration.
With all that on the line, what are the things, the Badgers must do in order to win in a less than welcoming environment? Stay tuned...
7. Lance Kendricks
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After starting off the season with a bang, tight end Lance Kendricks has been very quiet for the Badger's offense.
The Hawkeyes linebackers are still somewhat beaten up, and Kendricks will have the opportunity to spring free.
6. X-Factor James White
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Freshman back James White has been a tremendous asset to the Badger offense this season, rushing for 560 yards, nine touchdowns and a 7.0 yard per carry average.
White will need to contribute in a big way against the Hawkeyes.
5. Which Offensive Line Shows Up?
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To put it simply, the Badgers offensive line absolutely crushed the Buckeyes defense in the first half of the Badger's victory.
The Buckeyes were not touching the Badger backs until they were four to five yards downfield.
The O-Line established a new line of scrimmage every play and maintained their blocks.
But in their home game against ASU, the Badger's o-line struggled to establish any sort of supremacy.
And while the Badgers allowed no sacks Saturday, protecting Scott Tolzien superbly, against Michigan State he was under loads of pressure consistently.
The offensive line that shows up for Wisconsin will set the tone for the entire game.
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4. Get Pressure On The Hawkeye Backfield
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Put quite frankly Ricky Stanzi should not hurt the Badgers with his legs the way Terrelle Pryor did.
However, if Stanzi has the time that Pryor did to throw the ball at times, he will finish the game with over 300 yards.
The same goes for the Badger defense against Adam Robinson and the dynamic Hawkeye run game.
J.J. Watt will need to continue his dominance, and someone will have to help him.
3. Limit Mistakes
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The Badgers have done a great job of securing the football in Big Ten play, turning the ball over only once in conference play.
Fortunately for Scott Tolzien, his interception against OSU did not hurt the Badgers.
Last year's game against Iowa was a nightmare for Tolzien at home, as he threw three interceptions inna 20-10 loss to the Hawkeyes.
If Tolzien limits his mistakes and continues to focus, the Badgers will be in this one in the fourth.
2. Play Calling
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A big part of the Badger's success Saturday night against a very good OSU defense was the exceptional play calling.
Head coach Brett Bielema and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst pounded away at the Buckeyes between the tackles.
But when the Buckeyes expected running plays in the fourth quarter, they placed the game in Tolzien's hands, passing the ball four straight plays.
Not exactly "Wisconsin" football.
But effective.
Chryst's gameplan against the Hawkeyes and coach Kirk Ferentz will have to be impeccable and keep the talented Iowa defense off balance.
1. Scott Tolzien's Playmaking
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The absolute key to this game will be Scott Tolzien.
The Hawkeyes may or may not limit John Clay and James White, they may or may not score 30 points.
but one thing they will do, is give up yards.
Against Michigan last week, the Hawkeyes gave up 522 yards of offense 335 passing...
And in their loss at Arizona earlier in the year, the Hawkeyes gave up 366, 303 through the air.
Scott Tolzien will need to make big plays, the way he did to Nick Toon against OSU for the Badger offense to be effective in this game.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
