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Wisconsin Football: Key matchups to watch vs. New Mexico

By Steven Tondi

MADISON, WI - AUGUST 31: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - AUGUST 31: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin Football - Alex Hornibrook
MADISON, WI – AUGUST 31: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers drops back to pass in the first quarter against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin OL vs. New Mexico DL/LB’s

After a somewhat unimpressive performance against Western Kentucky last week, I expect the offensive line to come out looking to prove a point.  Against the Hilltoppers, the Wisconsin offensive linemen seemed to struggle against blitzes in pass protection.

Lack of communication between linemen and quality play from the WKU defense both played a factor on the pressure Hornibrook saw last Friday.  If I was a betting man, I would put a lot of money on the offensive line cleaning up their mistakes and looking to showcase their dominance.

Cole Van Lanen and Jon Dietzen split time at left tackle against WKU and both performed admirably.  I expect to see more of the same against New Mexico as the coaching staff continues to evaluate who their starter at left tackle is.

Van Lanen looks like he could be a potential All-Big Ten performer in the future.  He has great size and moves very well for someone who has seen limited playing time.  Despite what appeared to be an underachieving game, PFF graded Van Lanen, Biadasz and Benzschawel as three of the five best linemen in the Big Ten last week.

New Mexico’s defense is far from the best defense the Badgers will see in 2018.  Just take a look at the team stats from their game against Incarnate Word.  This game could get real ugly if the Badgers come out ready to roll.  A defensive front seven that gave up 7.2 YPC against an FCS team proves that the Lobos are not ready for the train that is Jonathan Taylor.

I expect Taylor to rush for at least 150 yards and enjoy a lot of rest in the second half.  Badger fans should be looking forward to a classic Wisconsin offensive line performance.