Success on 3rd down will be a critical stat to watch for the Wisconsin football offense and the Indiana Hoosier defense
The Wisconsin defense has carried the mail for Badger football this season. Time and again Jim Leonhard’s unit has picked up the offense and secured wins.
For Bucky to make this season particularly memorable they’ll need more from the offense. On Saturday, that means 3rd down success.
The Wisconsin offense against the Indiana defense features a match up of some of the better 3rd down units.
Wisconsin Badgers Football
Indiana’s defense is ranked 18th nationally in 3rd down defense. The Hoosiers are holding opponents to just 30.5 percent conversion percentage. In addition, Indiana is tied for 34th in the country in first downs, allowing just 143.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin is actually the top ranked team in the country in 3rd down conversion percentage. The Badgers have an impressive 53.5 percent conversion mark. Yet Bucky is just tied for 40th in first downs with 180 total.
Wisconsin has 99 rushing first downs, 71 passing, and 10 via penalty. So no real surprise in that ratio that the Badgers move the chains behind the running game.
On Saturday, whichever team wins that critical down will go a long way to determining the outcome. Per usual, Wisconsin needs to stay ahead of the chains and keep the playbook and personnel groups as varied as possible.
Fortunately, the Badgers are tied for 15th in tackles-for-loss allowed permitting just 4.38 per game. Unfortunately, Wisconsin is only tied for 51st in penalties per game. So avoiding some self-inflicted wounds via penalty are important.
Wisconsin doesn’t appear to have great confidence in QB Alex Hornibrook. Even with a healthy Troy Fumagalli, the Badgers offense is in trouble if Hornibrook has to drop back on 3rd-and-long and make plays.
Next: Wisconsin Football Indiana Hoosier Preview
Of course, a fit Jonathan Taylor should make life easier on early downs. But if he is limited or on a snap count, then we’ll look to Garrett Groshek and Bradrick Shaw for 1st and 2nd down work. But clearly against Indiana especially, Wisconsin can’t afford to make 3rd down any harder than it has to be. Advantage Hoosiers on anything over four yards.
This will be a good test for Wisconsin because Michigan boasts the best 3rd down defense in the country. The Wolverines visit Camp Randall Stadium in a couple weeks.