The Wisconsin defensive backfield has put together a strong season giving the Badger defense another area of strength
Typically, the Wisconsin linebackers get a lot of attention for the Badger defense and I certainly contribute to that. After all, Badger of Honor was alarmed at the LB depth chart injuries before the season.
But on Saturday, while the linebackers put in their typical shift, the defensive backfield rose up and smothered the Purdue offense.
Wisconsin defensive backs recorded six of the eight pass breakups on Saturday. Wisconsin safeties and cornerbacks also added 16 of the 49 Wisconsin tackles.
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It was another example of the nice season Badger secondary is putting together. The defensive backfield is a major reason the Wisconsin defense is brimming with confidence.
This year, Wisconsin welcomed Hawaii transfer Nick Nelson. They shifted Natrell Jamerson to safety opposite D’Cota Dixon. Derrick Tindal took another outside corner spot. The youngest member of the bunch, freshman Dontye Carriere-Williams is also getting lots of snaps.
Dixon leads the Badgers in tackles with 39, and chipped in 3.5 tackles-for-loss. Jamerson has an equal number of TFLs. Unsurprisingly, the Wisconsin secondary has 25 of the 31 pass break ups for the season.
Nelson’s nine pass break ups is tied for first in the Big Ten and Jamerson’s seven is tied for sixth best. As a team, Wisconsin is 4th in the conference in pass defense efficiency.
The Wisconsin secondary fell apart in the Big Ten title game a season ago against Penn State. The Badgers were torched in the second half as a big Wisconsin lead dissolved. Just in case you forgot (you hadn’t).
The Wisconsin secondary has allowed some big plays. They were burned by Florida Atlantic, Northwestern, and Nebraska on occasion. So there is still some vulnerability there.
But the improved play overall gives defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard a lot more flexibility. For example, he can move his safeties around and rush more linebackers. All because he can trust his defensive backs can hold up without extra help.
Next: Wisconsin Football Grading the Badgers vs Boilermakers
Wisconsin will likely have to beat The Ohio State or Penn State to win the Big Ten. The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions just so happen to be the top two passing offenses in the conference.