You remember the games that are played in November. Wisconsin’s (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) matchup against Minnesota (10-1, 7-1) will certainly be a game Badgers fans remember considering what is at stake besides the Paul Bunyan Axe as the winner will go on to play Ohio State in Indianapolis for the Big Ten championship. Paul Chryst has done well in the month of November as he has posted a 15-3 career record.
Here are the five keys for a Wisconsin victory over the Gophers:
1. The success of Jonathan Taylor on the ground
Taylor has certainly had a strong November so far as he has averaged 225.3 yards over the last three games. Wisconsin will need Taylor to keep up that kind of production against a Minnesota rush defense that’s allowing 126 yards per game. The way Taylor has been running the football over the last three games in addition to his patience and vision he should be able to consistently pick up positive yards against Minnesota’s rush defense. Taylor’s ability to not be tackled behind the line of scrimmage in addition to helping set up manageable third downs will be critical in allowing Wisconsin to sustain drives against Minnesota.
2. Wisconsin’s ability to slow down Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman
You can try and slow down one but the other is more than capable of hurting you. Johnson is averaging 6.1 receptions over Big Ten play for an average of 98.3 receiving yards per game while Bateman over conference play is averaging 4.5 receptions for an average of 91.8 receiving yards. Making it important that whichever cornerback for Wisconsin is defending either Johnson or Bateman that they limit their yards after the catch and avoid giving up the big play in the passing game, which Wisconsin has allowed over the past three games.
3. Wisconsin’s ability to get off the field on third down
Wisconsin’s defense has been able to consistently find a way of getting off the field on third downs as they’re only allowing Big Ten opponents to convert on 28.3 percent (28-for-99), which ranks first. However, Minnesota’s offense has been good at sustaining drives as they have converted on 51.6 percent of their third downs, which ranks second in the Big Ten. Making it important that Wisconsin doesn’t allow the Gophers to pick up positive yards on the early downs. If Wisconsin can create pressure in the backfield it will be tough for Minnesota to consistently convert their third downs.
4. Can Jack Coan take care of the football?
Coan on the season has thrown four interceptions but three of those four have come over Wisconsin’s last five games. In particular, Coan will need to be cognizant of where Antoine Winfield is on the field as he has registered six interceptions over Big Ten play, which leads the conference. One thing Coan can’t do on Saturday is cut a drive short by making a careless mistake with the football. Considering if Minnesota’s offense is clicking the Badgers will need to be able to take advantage of each offensive possession.
5. The play of Wisconsin’s red zone defense
Minnesota has made it to the red zone 39 times over Big Ten play the third most amongst Big Ten teams and have been able to score on 36 of their red zone chances. Minnesota’s ability to consistently convert in the red zone is one of the reasons why the Gophers are averaging 36.8 points per game. On the flip side, Wisconsin’s red zone defense is allowing Big Ten opponents to convert on 76.2 percent (16-for-21) of their red zone opportunities. With Minnesota converting on such a high percentage of their red zone opportunities into points it will be important for Wisconsin’s defense to try and make sure that the Gophers have to settle for three as they have attempted nine field goals in the red zone over conference play.