Wisconsin Football: Badgers Keys to Victory VS Northwestern

Badgers Keys to Victory Against the Wildcats

Wisconsin football travels to Evanston, Illinois for a vital match up with the Northwestern Wildcats. The Badgers have dominated the overall series, winning 57 games, while Northwestern has one just 35. Despite that, the Wildcats come into the game winning the last two match ups, and a winning streak at home that goes back to 1999. So despite the record, Northwestern always comes as painful thorn in the side of Wisconsin Football. They are a true spoiler team, that can end a magical season in a matter of minutes if you allow them to hang around for too long. With Wisconsin finally past the brutal schedule they endured, and coming off a huge win at home over Nebraska, so its easy to somewhat overlook the Wildcats. This would be the Badgers biggest mistake, as the match up in Evanston was always the trap game on the schedule. The focus this team has seems to be different than in years past, so its tough to see them overlooking any team. A few weeks ago, Wisconsin Football was the overlooked team, and they know what it’s like to take out a top ranked opponent. With so much at stake, what do the Badgers need to do come away with their first victory at Evanston since 1999?

. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Put Up Points Early

Wisconsin football has always struggled at Evanston, and its largely due to them shooting themselves in the foot. The turnover bug plagues Wisconsin, which allows Northwestern to stick around for too long and believe they can come away with a victory. The key to preventing that is to get off to a fast start. Coming out and hitting Northwestern in the mouth right away can go a long way in deciding the outcome of the game. Start early, and show that they are the better team right away and the Cats will go crawling. For the Badgers to do that, they must come out and run the football the way they have over the past weeks. Establishing control and dominance on the line of scrimmage will always help show who the better team is. If the Badgers are able to do that, they should have no issues in coming away with a win. The defense will remain solid as it always has, so simply putting up points and shutting down the idea that Northwestern can hang around for too long will go a long way in deciding this game.

Oct 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers safety D

Win the Turnover Battle

Going off of the last point, Wisconsin has always struggled to hang onto the football at Evanston. Turnovers have plagued them, and as a result has caused poor results each time they take on the Wildcats. A key for Wisconsin will not only be to keep control of the football on the offensive side, but to force turnovers on the defensive side as well. Northwestern started slow, but has since turned it around after their losses over Western Michigan and Illinois State. The offense has become very efficient, particularity in the passing game.

Wisconsin’s pass defense has struggled recently, so it will be a key match up in deciding this game. Northwestern is going to run the ball, as Justin Jackson is putting up good numbers so far this season. That being said, Northwestern’s passing game has been very efficient. When they do decide to throw the ball, guys like D’Cota Dixon and Derek Tindal will be important in the turnover battle. If Wisconsin can force a few and prevent it on the offensive side, they’ll finally have extra possession instead of losing out on them. This could be the deciding factor if the game remains close during crunch time.

Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Put the Ball Through the Uprights

A large struggle for Wisconsin this season has been special teams, especially the kicking game. Since Rafael Gaglianone went down early in the season Wisconsin has struggled to convert in the kicking game. With the offense struggling in the red zone, Gagliagone’s ability to put up a surefire three points was always a crutch that Wisconsin seemed to rely on heavily. Since the transition to Andrew Endicott, the Badgers have struggled to have that consistency they once had. Last weeks missed extra point could have came back to haunt the Badgers, and will eventually if they do not correct it or start to convert more touchdown opportunities.

Converting field goals when they have to will be a big key for both sides. Northwestern has struggled in the kicking game as well, as both kickers they’ve rotated have missed key field goals and extra points. Obviously the hope is for touchdowns, but when the offense falters a kicking game that you can rely on will go a long way in deciding today’s outcome.