The Wisconsin Badgers host the South Dakota Coyotes on Saturday afternoon in Week 2 of the 2024 season.
Both teams are 1-0 entering the contest, though each had a different Week 1 experience.
Related: Ranking the biggest storylines entering Wisconsin’s Week 2 contest vs. South Dakota
Wisconsin edged Western Michigan thanks to a 15-point fourth-quarter surge. It struggled for most of the contest and actually trailed 14-13 early in the final period. While a win, the performance left many unanswered questions.
South Dakota, meanwhile, destroyed D-II Northern State 45-3. The Coyotes dominated on the ground, rushing for 266 total yards and four touchdowns. They only attempted 13 total passes in the contest. That winning blueprint looks a lot like the old-school Wisconsin Badgers.
The Badgers are expected to handle business on Saturday despite South Dakota being ranked higher than Western Michigan in the latest SP+ update. As fans know, Luke Fickell’s team needs to put forth a much better performance for that to become the case.
As we inch closer to kickoff, here are our five keys to a comfortable Wisconsin victory on Saturday. Again, the Badgers should not be in jeopardy of losing the contest. But what must the team do to put a decisive win on the books before No. 4 Alabama visits town next weekend?
(Note: ‘Winning the turnover battle’ is a key to winning every game and will not be included on this list)
Wisconsin builds an early lead
Aug 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on during the second quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
There cannot be any doubt during the game, especially late into the second half. That doubt almost led to Western Michigan pulling a monumental upset win.
Wisconsin will need to build a substantial early lead and give South Dakota no belief that the game can stay close. There’s that side, plus the fact that the Coyotes are a run-first football team. They don’t appear to be built to make a comeback while throwing the football.
The first quarter is arguably the most important on Saturday afternoon. Wisconsin needs to create a two-score lead, or at least show some dominance on both sides of the football.
Phil Longo’s offense connects on big plays
Aug 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (10) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
This may sound like a broken record at this point, but Wisconsin needs to create more big plays on offense.
The Badgers’ longest play against Western Michigan went for 17 yards. That is far too low, especially against a low-level nonconference opponent. It needs to change against South Dakota if we are to build any confidence in the team’s chances against Alabama.
More big plays would keep the offense out of third and fourth-down situations, will limit the current 16-play length of scoring drives and should help QB Tyler Van Dyke keep the ball out of harm’s way. In other words, Wisconsin was required to run 15 and 16-play drives to score against Western Michigan. That only gives the defense more opportunities to halt the Badgers progress. Big plays change that equation.
Red zone touchdown rate is improved
Aug 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Chez Mellusi (1) rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Wisconsin drove the field well against Western Michigan but was not great in the red zone.
Its first four drives all entered the opposing red area. The Badgers scored just 13 points after those drives went missed field goal, touchdown, field goal, field goal. Had Wisconsin turned those drives into touchdowns, the game would have been a blowout by halftime.
A general criticism of Longo’s offense is a lack of red zone success. We’ll see if this rate changes on Saturday.
The pass rush finally arrives
Aug 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Zero sacks and zero tackles for loss are unacceptable totals for Wisconsin’s outside and inside linebacker rooms. The Badgers remade both rooms this offseason with transfer talent, hoping to become more dynamic when rushing the passer.
That did not turn into results in Week 1. Instead, DL Elijah Hills was the only player to record a sack and TFL. That needs to change in Week 2 for the game to become a blowout.
Wisconsin wins the rush efficiency battle
Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker (3) find s an opening in the Western Michigan defense during the first quarter of their game Friday, August 30, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
This is a little in the weeds. But I think the team that is more efficient running the football will win on Saturday. If Wisconsin dominates this statistic, the game can become a blowout.
Rush efficiency will be an indicator of several things, including the performance of Wisconsin’s defensive line and the balance of its offense. It might be the most important non-turnover stat entering Saturday’s game.
The Badgers averaged 4.3 yards per carry against Western Michigan. The running game actually highlighted the offense’s night. Transfer Tawee Walker was a big part of that as he looked great in his Wisconsin debut.
South Dakota averaged a whopping 7.0 yards per carry against Northern State. The team is built entirely around its rushing attack. If Wisconsin can push that number below 4.0, it should dominate the game.
Check back after the contest. I’d bet the difference in rush efficiency tells an accurate story of how the game played out.
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Publish date : 2024-09-05 04:14:00
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