Wisconsin Football: X-factors in each position group

Olive Sagapolu

Sagapolu has become quite the character and fan favorite through the offseason and is in charge of leading an extremely inexperienced position group. As the ‘star’ of the defensive line, it might not feel fitting to also name Sagapolu as the X-factor, but his role is so important it encompasses everything you could possibly think of. Without Sagapolu, the entire defense might crumble.

The Badgers are going to be good against the run, thanks to two elite linebackers behind Sagapolu, but Sagapolu is going to be a huge part of the run defense too. His job is to eat up blockers and press down on the backfield creating little to no room for opposing backs to operate. There isn’t anybody else on the defensive line who has shown they can do that on a college football field.

Wisconsin’s defense is a big question mark going into the season. The pass defense is very suspect and it’s uncertain where any of those answers will come from. But the run defense, anchored by Sagapolu, could be one of the best in the conference if he does his job as the star, leader, and X-factor of the defensive front.