25 Questions For Bucky

Old School Bucky
Put 433,221 Wisconsin kids in therapy

What is their body of work?

Historically, it is really good.  It is my view that this is one of the best run programs in FBS.  When Bielema left, they went and looked at less flashy guys--Anderson (who they chose), Clawson, Matt Campbell.  Anyway, 18 straight winning seasons, this is a high quality program.  This year, they blew a 24-7 lead to lose to LSU on a neutral field, and smoked Western Illinois, 37-7,

How many seniors and juniors on the two-deep?

22, which indicates a relatively young team

Who are their returning statistical leaders?

KR Kenzel Doe was #18 in the nation in KOR last year.  (Look for a lot of kickoffs similar to IU last week)
Melvin Gordon was #12 in rushing yards per game.

What was their turnover ratio?

They were essentially even last year and they are essentially even this year.

Offense:

How is their QB play expected to be?

That's a good question.  Tanner McEvoy is a new starter who really struggled against LSU but was good against Western Illinois, both tough results to translate into the game against BG.  They are more run-focused, in any event.

What was their scoring and yards per play?

They scored quite a bit last season...27th in FBS.   This year, they are down, with 31 points a game and 5.9 yards per play.

Can they run the ball?

Yes. They surely can.  Melvin Gordon is the man, dropped 8.7 YPC on LSU and averaged 7.8 YPC last year.  He is a pure stud behind a big line.

Do they pass the ball?

Last year they were in the middle of the pack in passing efficiency, and they have one good game and one poor game this year.  They certainly have the ability to set up the pass with their running attack.

How is their run/pass balance?

Also fights crime.

This year, they have run the ball almost 60% of the time.

Do they convert on 3rd Down?

They were just average last year, at 41% and are at 37% so far this year.

Do they score in the red zone?

They have 5.4 points per trip last year, which is good.

Do they protect the quarterback?

They are very good. They have given up only 1 sack in 54 pass attempts.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play.

They were 6th in the nation last year in scoring defense.  This year, they have allowed 31 points in 2 games and 4.4 yards per play.

Now this is funny.

Do they defend the run effectively?

Yes.  Top 10 in the nation last year, this year 2.3 yards per carry allowed.

Can they be passed on?

They were 18th in the nation last year.  This year, they are allowing only 52% completions, but an astounding 15.8 yards per catch.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

Last year, they were 4th in FBS.  They are also very good this year, at 37%.

Do  they defend in the red zone?

They have allowed only 3 red zone trips in 2 games and have one blank in there, 4.7 points per trip.

Do they pressure the QB?

Yes they do...5 sacks in 47 pass attempts is 10.6%.

Special Teams:

Punting?

Yeah.  Well he turned yours down.

Their punting is not that good, at 34.7 net per kick.  No blocks and no TDs, but some return yardage.

Punt Return?

Kenzel Doe was a big returner last year, but this year he has only 3 attempts and a net of -1 yards.

Placekicking?

Kicker is new...made a 51 yarder and missed one inside 40.

Kickoff?

They are really good...with no touchbacks at all,  opponents average starting on the 21.

Kickoff Return?

Doe was highly ranked last year, but only 48 yards on 3 returns.

Miscellaneous: Overall atmospherics and intangibles.

Dang. Looks good...who knew badger milk
was so creamy.

Obviously, this is a tough one for BG.  This team is better than Indiana and we are playing on their field, where they have won their last 30 non-conference games.  Over the past 10 years, they are 62-7 at home.

BG will need to play their very best game to win this one.  They will need to bring the run defense, limit Gordon as much as possible--though he is going to get yards--and then score points when we have the ball.

Wisconsin is coming off a bye week, as well, which means they are rested and prepared, whereas the Falcons are banged up and without Johnson, Colvin, Ward and maybe Lynch.  The challenge really starts on the front line, though.  BG will need to at least break even up front to have a shot.

It will be interesting to see, but I believe this is a tall order for the Falcons.  If BG does get this one, we're in for something very cool this year.