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Wisconsin Football vs. BYU Cougars: Tale of the tape

By Christian Borman

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 08: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the New Mexico Lobos at Camp Randall Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 08: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes for a touchdown during the second half of a game against the New Mexico Lobos at Camp Randall Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin football QB Alex Hornibrook
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The Quarterbacks

Wisconsin

Alex Hornibrook threw the ball just 11 times last week against New Mexico. He completed 8-of-11 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown to A.J. Taylor. He also threw an interception where his elbow was hit while throwing, causing the ball to travel about three yards like a lame duck into the arms of a defender.

When you have a run game as dominant as this Wisconsin football team, you won’t need your quarterback to throw the ball as much as the average college quarterback. When he does pass, however, it is usually for some large chunks of yards. He averaged about 13.5 yards per attempt.

Five of his eight completed passes were to receiver A.J. Taylor. Otherwise, he had one completion to running back Garrett Groshek, and one each to tight ends Jake Ferguson and Zander Neuville.

Last week, Hornibrook was the highest graded passer in the Big Ten according to Pro Football Focus with a grade of 94.3. Shea Patterson of Michigan finished behind him with a grade of 91.1.

On the season, Hornibrook has completed 25-of-40 passes for 405 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.

When the game was out of reach, walk-on quarterback Danny Vanden Boom completed his lone pass for a  touchdown to freshman receiver Taj Mustapha.

BYU

The BYU Cougars are led by senior quarterback Tanner Mangum, a guy who I swear has been around for more than five years. Coincidentally, Mangum has also thrown for 405 yards, but on 29 more pass attempts, for two touchdowns and two interceptions as well.

Last week against Cal, Mangum was 22-of-41 for 196 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. After his sub-par performance, some have called for his backup, freshman Zach Wilson, to start.

Mangum was injured for BYU’s game against Wisconsin last year. Mangum has thrown for 5,563 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions in his career.

Odds are, we will end up seeing Tanner Mangum start the game, but if the Badger defense can shut him down, look for BYU to make a change and try to spark their offense with Wilson.

Advantage: Wisconsin