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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 RB Jonathan Taylor
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The Offense

Wisconsin

Wisconsin football is alive and well on offense. Often referred to as “Running Back U,” Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor is currently the leader in rushing yards in the country. He has 398 yards, including 253 alone last week, a career high. He has rushed for five touchdowns on top of that. Taylor does, however, have a fumble in each of the first two games this season, a trend that Taylor would like to end.

When Taylor needs a breather, senior Taiwan Deal has picked up the slack. Deal has 17 carries for another 110 yards. As a team, the Badgers are fourth in the country in rushing yards, gaining 325.5 yards per game on the ground.

More. Five players to watch for Wisconsin Football vs. BYU. light

Through the air, this is about as formidable as a Wisconsin football team has been. A.J. Taylor had a career game against New Mexico. He finished with five catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Jake Ferguson is also emerging as the next big tight end at Wisconsin.

Sophomore receiver Danny Davis III is returning after his two-game suspension for his role in the Quitez Cephus case. He will only add another dimension to this Wisconsin passing threat. He can stretch the field and is Wisconsin’s best deep threat on the team.

Oh, and Wisconsin still has the best offensive line in the country.

BYU

BYU heavily depends on their passing game. The Cougars have just five more carries than passing attempts. As a team, they have 76 carries for just 274 yards and just 3.6 yards per carry. Senior running back Squally Canada is the Cougars leading rusher with 147 yards and three touchdowns.

With the pass-heavy offense, there really isn’t a favorite target. Tight end Moroni Laulu-Pututau is the leader in receptions and receiving yards. He has eight catches for only 80 yards. The next closest is wide receiver Aleva Hifo, with five catches and 59 yards.

The offensive line for BYU has been decent this year. They have allowed only two sacks all season, both last week against Cal. This is in part to the short and quick passes that are a part of the Cougars offense.

Advantage: Wisconsin