After last week’s disappointing 23-5 loss to UNLV, Wisconsin looks to bounce back Saturday in the team’s final tune-up before the Big Ten season. UW lost its top 25 ranking after the abhorrent loss and is looking to recuperate against North Carolina.
The Tar Heels have not played since their triple overtime loss to Syracuse two weeks ago, and while they may not appear to be a formidable foe for UW, North Carolina has shown immense improvement over the past couple of seasons. Here are five keys to preventing another upset and ensuring a Badger victory.
Control the Ball. To say that turnovers hurt the Badgers last week would be an understatement. The Rebels capitalized on three fumbles and two interceptions. Safety Jamaal Brimmer set up three touchdowns alone. This week, Wisconsin should come out playing conservative because there is no need to force anything against the Tar Heels. If Anthony Davis cannot play due to his high left ankle sprain, it will be crucial for Dwayne Smith and Booker Stanley to hold on to the ball, and for the offensive line to protect Jim Sorgi.
By no means will the game be slow-paced, however. The Tar Heels have been outscored by a combined score of 86-47 this season, so the Badgers should look to put UNC away early. Last week, Wisconsin did not score a touchdown at Camp Randall for the first time since their 3-3 tie to Illinois on November 25, 1995.
Spread the Ball Around. There has been plenty of talk about Wisconsin’s strong wide-receiver corps, but the Badgers have yet to truly show it off. Through the first three games, Sorgi has sat in the pocket and zoned in on Lee Evans. While no one was complaining when the two hooked up on a 99-yard touchdown pass against Akron, Sorgi’s inconsistencies behind center were obvious last week as he was sacked eight times and threw 2 picks.
North Carolina features a potent secondary with free-safety Dexter Reid, the team’s leading tackler, and cornerback Mike Waddell, who will most likely be covering Evans tightly all game. Sorgi will need to look to Brandon Williams, Owen Daniels, Jonathan Orr, and Darrin Charles in order to move the chains through the air against UNC.
Stop QB Darian Durant. Durant is North Carolina’s lone offensive weapon. Against Syracuse, he completed 31 of 44 passes for 316 yards, threw 4 touchdowns, and single-handedly kept his team in the game, a heartbreaking 49-47 triple overtime loss. Durant is on pace to break every major UNC passing record and is also the Tar Heels’ leading rusher through their first two games.
Durant has two major receiving targets: tight end Bobby Blizzard and wide receiver Jawarski Pollock. Blizzard was sick last game and is listed as probable for this week. As for Pollock, he has been outstanding in filling the void left by wide-receiver Sam Aiken, who graduated with 68 receptions in 2002. Pollock had 11 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown against Syracuse.
Blitz, Blitz, Blitz. UNC has been primarily a passing team thus far due to an undefined running game. Last season they ranked last in the ACC in rushing yards. This year, junior Willie Parker and freshman Ronnie McGill have been splitting the carries, but neither has been very effective.
The defense should avoid allowing Durant to get in a passing groove and force the Tar Heels to try to establish their running game first. Send the defensive line after Durant and set linebacker Alex Lewis free on several blitzes throughout the game to get the quarterback out of his game, as he did against Rasheed Marshall of West Virginia in week one.
Run the Ball Down UNC’s Throat. Not only did the Tar Heels rank last in ACC rushing yards last season, but also in rushing defense. North Carolina has already allowed 527 rushing yards (6.1 yards per rush) and 7 touchdowns on the ground through two games. Nearly every opponent last year had a 100-yard rusher against UNC, so the run game should come with ease. The Badgers need to have an effective ground game without Heisman candidate Anthony Davis. If Davis is forced to sit the game out, Dwayne Smith and Booker Stanley need to be able to provide a solid running game against the Tar Heels’ weak front line.