[media-credit name=’AJ MACLEAN/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]The Wisconsin Badgers will head to Evanston Saturday to take on the Northwestern Wildcats in an intriguing matchup of offenses that include both strong running backs and highly capable quarterbacks.
Northwestern is a team of extremes. They are dead last in the Big Ten in total defense, allowing over 505 total yards per game; yet they are ranked third in the Big Ten in total offense, netting over 470 yards per game.
On offense, they are led by a fourth-year starter — quarterback Brett Basanez — and true freshman Tyrell Sutton.
Basanez is a solid, reliable senior quarterback that has only thrown one interception all year along with four touchdown passes. He is third in the Big Ten with a 64 percent completion rate and has managed the offense very well.
"He really has a knowledge of [the offense] and a strong arm, gets it out there, manages it all," Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez said. "They will move the football."
Despite Basanez's leadership, Northwestern's main offensive punch is in true freshman running back Tyrell Sutton. Sutton is tied for third in the nation in rushing touchdowns with eight, and his rushing average of 132 yards per game also ranks third nationally.
"He reminds me of an Anthony [Davis]-type back, very quick," Alvarez said. "He's a short guy, short and stocky, very quick [and] gets north and south."
Sutton will be facing a Wisconsin run defense that has surrendered only 77 yards per game, which ranks second to Ohio State in the Big Ten. Wisconsin has also only allowed one rushing touchdown all year. However, the Badgers have yet to face a true test in the running game, and the Wildcats should provide it.
"Difficulties are, with four guys wide, you've got to move people out of the box," Alvarez said. "Basically you have two running backs. You have the quarterback and one other running back. So they can scheme you. … That makes the running game that much more difficult to stop."
The Wisconsin pass defense has been more lenient this year, giving up 260 passing yards per game, which ranks eighth in the conference. Wisconsin will have to avoid giving up long passing plays, something the Badger defense couldn't prevent against Bowling Green and Indiana, and something Basanez and wide receivers Shaun Herbert and Jonathan Fields could use to their advantage.
"Brett Basanez and that offense are very dangerous. They can strike quick," wide receiver Brandon Williams said. "So the longer we have the ball and can try to get them out of their tempo or their flow, it's better for us. But I think we'll be ready."
Despite Northwestern's defensive struggles, running back Brian Calhoun expects some new looks from the Northwestern defense.
"They've had two weeks to prepare for us now, so we're definitely expecting to see a lot of new stuff, especially in the run game, because they're probably going to try to stop the run." Calhoun said. "We're going to try to attack the back end, because the back end's given up a few big plays over the season."
Although Calhoun hasn't broken off a long run yet this season — his longest run is 26 yards — Alvarez believes the big plays will come soon enough.
"There were a couple of [runs] … where he sees nothing but goal line in front of him and a lot of yardage, a big hit, and somebody dives and just nips his toe," Alvarez said. "But he'll get some of those before the year is over."
Calhoun will again be in the backfield without senior fullback Matt Bernstein due to an injury, so Chris Pressley and Bill Rentmeester will get looks at fullback Saturday.
"I feel as though we have a luxury that we have two guys that we can go to that are physical players and can hold up blocking linebackers and defensive ends," Alvarez said. "But now we have to give them a crash course on all the different looks that they're going to get."
One interesting focus will be on special teams, as the top two punt returners in the conference will face off against each other. Northwestern defensive back Marquice Cole has returned one punt for a touchdown this season and leads the Big Ten with an average of 30 yards per punt return on seven tries.
For the Badgers, Williams has returned two punts for touchdowns this year and averages 19.5 yards per return, which ranks second in the conference. He is also first in the Big Ten with 35.2 yards per kickoff return.
The Badgers have certainly learned not to take the Wildcat team for granted in the past few years, especially when facing them on the road. Northwestern won the last meeting in Evanston in 2003 and Wisconsin has not won at Ryan Field since 1999.
Saturday's matchup should provide more of the same, and the Badgers will have to be sharp if they hope to leave Evanston with a 6-0 record.