Nebraska vs. Wisconsin Football: QBs Key to Victory for Badgers and Huskers

When the Nebraska Cornhuskers made their decision to leave the Big 12 for the Big Ten, fans of the school started to take a look at the potential matchups inside of the new conference. 

The Cornhusker fanbase started to put their team up against such schools as Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan. They knew their team could play, and be successful, against the pass-heavy offenses in the Big 12, but could they stop the ground-and-pound offenses of the Big Ten?  

For the Wisconsin Badgers fans, when they saw the 2011 Badgers' schedule come out they noticed that they would be welcoming in the new kids on the block to see if they could hang tough in their new conference.  

The thing is, in past years Wisconsin has tried to recruit like Nebraska. They saw what was successful for the Cornhuskers in recruiting tackles, guards and centers to help their running game to wear teams down.  

Nebraska and Wisconsin: two teams built the same, with the same Kryptonite. 

Their weaknesses? 

The quarterback.  

No, not that their quarterbacks are their bad skilled position on offense. In fact, both of these teams run their entire offense through their quarterback position. However, if you are able to shut down either Taylor Martinez (Nebraska) or Robert Wilson (Wisconsin), it eliminates both offenses.  

Taylor Martinez is Nebraska’s offense. He leads their team in rushing and passing and if he could, receiving. It was proven last year that when defenses are able to contain Martinez then he struggles as does the offense.  

The Texas Longhorns were the first to expose this, as their approach of always putting a hit on Martinez led to the quarterback rushing throws and being timid when rushing out of the pocket.  

Texas won that game 13-9.  

Wisconsin has not faced a defense as good as what Nebraska will be bringing to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Saturday. This offense has been dynamic with Wilson throwing the ball this year.  

His play has opened up the running game for Montee Ball to shine as one of the best backs in the Big Ten this year.  

For Nebraska to be able to stop this Badgers offense, they will need to get defensive end Jared Crick free from the Badgers offensive line. Crick is the best defensive lineman in the Big Ten and he is the X-factor in this game. 

A big game from Crick will mean a Cornhusker victory in their opening game in the Big Ten. 

Twitter: @tjmcaloon