Five players who can help Wisconsin football dominate Nebraska

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MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 15: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for a first down after breaking a tackle against Sione Takitaki #16 of the BYU Cougars in the fourth quarter of the game at Camp Randall Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. BYU won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Alex Hornibrook

The way Alex Hornibrook lit up the Iowa defense when the running game wasn’t as effective as Coach Chryst had hoped is something I expect to see again this weekend. Hornibrook’s confidence should be sky high, as should that of some of his top targets.

Jonathan Taylor is rested after the bye week and Nebraska knows that. Nebraska also knows Taylor can single-handedly destroy their defense and win the game almost entirely on his own. That’s essentially what he did last year.

If the Huskers have any hope of winning this game they’re going to have to stop Taylor, which means opening up passing opportunities for Hornibrook and his guys. If Hornibrook is gunslinging with confidence then the potential is there for him to have a huge game.

In the Nebraska game last year Hornibrook completed 9 of 17 passes for 113 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Taylor had gone off, so Hornibrook’s services weren’t needed. He also wasn’t the same quarterback then that he is now. The Badgers put up 38 points in last year’s matchup. This year they have a chance to put up 50+ with more of a contribution from Hornibrook.

If Nebraska’s offense is able to pick apart the young Wisconsin secondary to any sort of success then a bunch of points may be required anyway. I trust Hornibrook to play well. It’s about time he starts showing the rest of the country, mostly doubters, what he can do.