Wisconsin Football: Key matchups to watch vs. Iowa

Wisconsin Secondary vs. Nate Stanley

I believe the Badgers’ secondary turned in a mediocre performance on Saturday.  They were mainly responsible for giving up one of the game’s biggest plays.  Giving up a trick play is demoralizing for a defense, especially one with a young secondary.  The Wisconsin secondary completely bit on the double receiver pass allowing a BYU player to catch a wide open pass in the end zone.

It is crucial to play assignment football when an opponent is attempting to pull off an upset.  Inferior opponents tend to open up their playbook and try to pull off trick plays whenever there is an opportunity to do so.  The young secondary will have to learn from this.

Wisconsin’s corners and secondary bounced back from their mistakes in the first half and played a quality second half.  They only gave up a couple of completions in the second half to BYU’s wide receivers and tight ends.  The secondary began to stifle BYU’s passing attack after allowing receivers to get open consistently in the first half.

BYU quarterback Tanner Mangum was held to only 89 passing yards for the entire game.  Many people, including Badger fans, would expect that containing Mangum to under a 100 passing yards would have resulted in a win for the Badgers.  BYU’s trick play allowed their passing game to be just good enough to overcome Wisconsin’s secondary.  It just goes to show how one play can be the difference in the game.

The Wisconsin secondary must learn from its mistakes quickly because they are going on the road to face an NFL-caliber quarterback and a potential first-round NFL Draft pick at tight end.  Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley has all the tools to be a successful quarterback in the Big Ten.  He has the size to see the field and has a huge arm that allows him to throw the ball over the field.  After last year’s performance in Madison, I am sure he will be looking forward to redeeming himself.

One of the top tight ends in the country is a weapon for Nate Stanley.  Tight end Noah Fant is an absolute monster.  The preseason All-American catches essentially everything that is thrown in his direction and is more than capable in blocking within the run game.  Much like how Troy Fumagalli’s versatility was used by Wisconsin last year, Iowa utilizes the entirety of Fant’s arsenal.  Fant has the ability to take over a game and be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.  Fant will have to be contained if Wisconsin expects to leave with a victory.

I do not expect this matchup to play out as it did last year in Madison.  The Badgers have three new starters in the secondary and Iowa’s passing attack seems to be more polished.  Wisconsin’s ability to consistently pressure Stanley last year also had a significant impact on how the secondary played.  I expect this matchup to be a lot less one-sided.

Scott Nelson will have to play his best game so far, especially when he is tasked with covering Fant.  Iowa does not have explosive weapons at wide receiver but does have some consistent options at the position.  Corners Caesar Williams and Faion Hicks will need to be locked in for every snap.  D’Cota Dixon may have to make a big play against Stanley to jump-start the Badgers defense and solidify a level of confidence.  This matchup will show if Wisconsin’s secondary is ready for the prime time matchups that lie ahead.