UCLA head coach Bob Chesney is already giving Wisconsin's Sebastian Cheeks his flowers

As game day approaches, each coach is circling players on the other roster. Luke Fickell has his own priorities, but UCLA's head coach Bob Chesney says there's one specific player who's an "absolute problem." That would be senior pass-rusher Sebastian Cheeks. Chesney is already giving Cheeks his flowers long before the first snap of the game on Saturday.

According to Chesney, Cheeks is the one player who has to be identified and handled on the field. "This defensive end is absolutely a problem," Chesney said. "He is very disruptive and absolutely can destroy the run game. He hunts, literally hunts, the quarterback. He's an interesting player to watch"

Cheeks is on another planet right now for the Badgers. He's leading all of FBS with quarterback pressures, and according to NFL Draft Scouts, he's the top edge rusher in college football with a 23.9% pressure rate. If you look at the chart below, he literally is all by himself at the farthest edge of the chart. He's doing something unexpected across the sport, and it's been tremendously helpful for the Badgers.

Chesney has to figure out how to slow him down and he has to do it with a backup quarterback.

Wisconsin's defense presents a real problem for UCLA and the backup signal caller for the Bruins

Related: Wisconsin has a real path to the College Football Playoff, here's what it looks like

Nico Iamaleava is out for the season with a knee injury, and this week the backup will be playing. It could be Nico's brother, Madden, or maybe, more likely, it's Ty Dieffenbach who took over for Iamaleava after he left Oregon's game last week. Whoever it is, they better know where Cheeks is lined up and what the protections are against him.

Cheeks hasn't been able to get home with only 2.5 sacks in the season, and while that may be frustrating for the star edge rusher, it hasn't changed how disruptive he's been for Wisconsin. His ability to cause chaos in the backfield has helped break down plays for the Badgers.

Here's why that matters on Saturday and why Chesney is right to circle him. Iamaleava was always a threat to take off and run, but Dieffenbach isn't. Dieffenbach also threw as many interceptions last season as touchdowns for Cal Poly. If Cheeks can get home or even wreak havoc, Dieffenbach could make some real mistakes.

This may mean that Chesney goes with Madden Iamaleava, who has a bit more of a scramble ability like his brother. However, Madden is absolutely unproven and has exactly one attempt for one incompletion in his career. With a defense as stout in the pass as Wisconsin's, Madden may also be a problem.

The Badgers will still need to stop the run, but if they can shore up that and get Cheeks to lose in the backfield, the upset bid is very alive and well. It could be a fun day for the Wisconsin defense; let's hope the offense follows suit.

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