Rose Bowl in my lifetime. Wisconsin fans thought they were going to get back to the “Granddaddy of them All” a lot quicker after their appearance in the 1963 game but they had to patiently wait 31 years before returning to Pasadena, which created the phrase Rose Bowl in my lifetime. Since that magical trip to the Rose Bowl in 1994, the Badgers haven’t had to wait that long for their return trip. Considering Wisconsin returned in 1999 and in 2000 before going three straight years in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Wisconsin’s last three trips to the Rose Bowl all have resulted in losses by an average of five points per game. The Badgers will look to get back to their winning ways in Camp Randall West and bring home the Roses for the first time since 2000 against Oregon.
Here are the five keys for a Wisconsin victory over the Ducks:
1. The play of Jack Coan
Oregon is going to load the box against the Badgers and force Coan to beat them threw the air. Coan was able to close out the season on a high note as he’s currently playing some of his best football. Coan’s ability to complete passes on all three levels will be critical to Wisconsin’s success on offense. If he can it will help open up Wisconsin’s offense and take pressure off of Jonathan Taylor and the running game. Coan will also likely get involved in the running game too as he rushed for two touchdowns and 27 yards against Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game. If Coan can be effective with his legs for a second consecutive game will open up a new wrinkle on offense for the Badgers.
2. Can Wisconsin consistently supply pressure against Justin Herbert?
Oregon has done well of keeping Herbert upright this season as the Ducks have only given up 23 sacks this season. Oregon is led by Penei Sewell the recipient of the 2019 Outland Trophy. Wisconsin’s ability to find ways of creating pressure against Herbert will be critical as the Badgers defense has been at its best when Zack Baun and Chris Orr have been able to create pressure on the outside or up the middle. Between the two they’ll need to take advantage of each opportunity they get in the backfield as there may not be many. Wisconsin will need to disguise their blitzes at times to try and confuse Herbert to prevent him from knowing where the blitz is coming from.
3. Can Jonathan Taylor create a Rose Bowl legacy?
Taylor is clearly a special player as he has won the Doak Walker Award twice. Although Taylor will have a tough test against Oregon’s rush defense can he create a Rose Bowl legacy like Ron Dayne or Montee Ball did before him? Dayne rushed for 446 yards over his two Rose Bowl games and Ball is the only running back to rush for at least 100 yards in three different Rose Bowl games. Taylor will be going up against a run defense that’s allowing 3.2 yards per attempt making it important that he consistently picks up positive yards. Taylor has consistently shown tremendous patience and vision throughout his career at Wisconsin allowing him to consistently pick up positive yards. Taylor’s ability to pick up the tough yards along with finding ways of creating long runs will go a long way in helping sustain drives and etch his name with fellow Badger running backs who have found success in Pasadena.
4. Can Wisconsin create a turnover?
Oregon certainly has done a good job of protecting the football this year as they have only turned the football over 10 times as Herbert has thrown five interceptions and the Ducks have lost five fumbles on the year. Creating an extra offensive possession will be important as the Badgers rank 49th nationally in turnover margin per game at plus 0.23 as Wisconsin has forced 20 fumbles this year recovering 10 and has registered 11 interceptions. If Wisconsin is able to create an extra offensive possession they’ll need to cash the Ducks mistakes into points.
5. Wisconsin’s ability to slow Oregon’s rushing attack
Herbert is averaging 256.3 passing yards per game but the Ducks have two dangerous runners in CJ Verdell and Travis Dye as they have rushed for 1,171 and 655 yards respectively this season. Verdell is averaging 6.5 yards per rush while Dye is averaging 6.2 yards per rushing attempt making it important that Wisconsin consistently plugs the gaps on defense to make sure neither can consistently pick up positive yards. Wisconsin’s rush defense has done well of containing opposing ground attacks holding their opponents to an average of 102.4 yards per game and 3.4 yards per rush. Wisconsin’s ability to take the duo away will help create long third downs against a Duck defense that’s converting on 42.5 percent (71-for-167) of their third downs.