Five Wisconsin Badgers To Fear On Halloween
By Jim Oxley
Michael Caputo and Joe Schobert talk before a fourth quarter snap against Troy. Jim Oxley photo
Saturday marks a Halloween matchup between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and Wisconsin hopes the holiday infuses a little extra fear into its Big Ten opponent.
READ ALSO: Predictions: Wisconsin Badgers vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
There’s plenty to fear about the Badgers defense heading into Saturday’s game, as the Badgers are giving up just 11.1 points per game this season. That’s the second-lowest total in the country.
Yards aren’t easy to come by against the Badgers, either, and Wisconsin has come up with several huge turnovers at pivotal points this season. Wisconsin’s opponents average 279.9 total yards per game this season. The Badgers have forced 10 fumbles — recovering six of them — and have five interceptions as well.
While Wisconsin’s defense should instill fear in all of its opponents, the Badgers offense doesn’t look too frightening at this point, with injuries piling up and starters sitting for the season.
Still, Rutgers defense is giving up a scary amount of yardage and points per game — 458.9 yards and 32.0 points per contest, to be exact. Even the banged up Badgers should be able to move the ball against this group.
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The last time Wisconsin played on Halloween was a matchup with the Purdue Boilermakers in 2009. The Badgers defense was lights-out in a 37-0 victory. Purdue quarterbacks Joey Elliot and Caleb TerBush combined for nine completions on 33 pass attempts for 103 yards.
Wisconsin’s passing game wasn’t much better, but the ground game ate Purdue alive. John Clay ran for 123 yards and three scores on 23 carries, Lance Kendricks took four end arounds for 91 yards and Aaron Henry returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the home rout.
The Badgers will be looking for a similar performance this Saturday in another Halloween matchup.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights should fear the following Badgers heading into Saturday’s game.
Next: Captain Caputo