Rutgers football game week opponent profile: Wisconsin
The Rutgers football team will hit the road again to take on Wisconsin this Saturday. The Scarlet Knights (4-1, 1-1) and the Badgers (3-1, 1-0) will both look to get their second conference win of the season this weekend.
The Daily Targum sat down with Maddox Durst, the sports editor for Wisconsin's student newspaper, The Badger Herald, to discuss what the upcoming matchup will look like between the two teams.
The Badgers have an impressive number of players on their offense that have been assets in their recent wins, notably Braelon Allen. Allen has totaled 371 rushing yards this season and has shown a great deal of strength to help his team's offense.
"They've really used him more in the passing game," Durst said about Allen. "I believe he has the most receptions right now in the Big Ten as a running back … It's made it easier for him on the offensive end with the quality o-line that the Badgers have, and it gives him more space to work."
Tanner Mordecai has shown his abilities on the field and is a dual-threat quarterback. Mordecai has totaled 876 passing yards this season — 174 of those yards came in Wisconsin's most recent win against Purdue.
Mordecai has been integral to the Badgers and its offensive attack. Wisconsin's capacity to run the football has also been a major asset.
"Their ability to do (run-pass options) now and look almost like an NFL-type offense is because of his ability to throw on the run and be able to run and scramble for them," Durst said.
The Badgers' defense has been fluctuating recently. The secondary has struggled at times against opposing offenses.
"They've been inconsistent at times, and, honestly, they're a little weak in the secondary," Durst said. "They've been hurt by the long pass game, and it's been a struggle at times for them."
Wisconsin's defense has shown the ability to force multiple turnovers and create big plays.
"There are still some holes in the secondary. There's a lot of holes, but the d-line is improving … there are improvements to be made, but they show signs of it," Durst said.
The Badgers' special teams players have helped Wisconsin on the field when it needed them the most. Many of the Badgers' wins have been, in part, fueled by the special teams.
Nathaniel Vakos was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week following the win against the Boilermakers (2-3, 1-1) two weeks ago. Vakos has been able to hit multiple 40-plus yarders, making him a viable asset in every game.
"He's seven for seven on field goals right now, and he's been automatic for (the team)," Durst said. "That's been a huge piece for them. In the first four games, that's what has kept them in games sometimes."
Coming off of a bye week, Wisconsin has a lot of talent that could potentially shut Rutgers out this weekend. The Badgers' game against the Knights is their homecoming game and will generate a huge crowd at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, on Saturday.
"If (Wisconsin) can control the ball in the offensive end and get ahead early, I think they'll be in a good spot," Durst said.
Durst believes that if Rutgers can make big plays on offense and spread out the defense, it can win this weekend against the Badgers. But he predicts Wisconsin will take the win 31-17.
The Knights' game against the Badgers will kick off at noon this Saturday. The game will be streamed on Peacock and be broadcast on 88.7 WRSU-FM and WFAN.
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