Here are three defensive players for the Badgers who could play an important role in Wisconsin’s success against Minnesota:
1. Zack Baun, OLB
Baun who was named a finalist for the Butkus Award this week, which is given to the best linebacker in the country each year is going to need to bring his A-game against Minnesota. Baun on the season has been able to consistently disrupt opposing offenses as his 16 tackles for loss leads the team while his 9.5 sacks ranks second. Baun will need to help slow down Minnesota’s rushing attack as the Gophers are averaging 207.6 rushing yards over Big Ten play. But the Gophers are allowing 5.5 tackles for loss per game. If Baun can continue to add to his tackles for loss numbers it will help force Minnesota to consistently pick up long third downs.
2. Chris Orr, ILB
Orr and Baun have formed one of the best linebacker tandems in college football this year. Orr has been able to supply pressure up the middle while Baun has been able to do it on the outside. Orr entering this season only had 2.5 career sacks but Orr’s ability to get in the backfield and pressure the quarterback has been impressive. Considering Orr has registered a sack in six of Wisconsin’s eight conference games. With Orr averaging 1.13 sacks over Big Ten play he’ll be counted on to try and create pressure against Tanner Morgan. Minnesota is only giving up 1.8 sacks over conference play but Orr will need to try and hurry up Morgan’s decision making if he can’t register a sack.
3. Eric Burrell, S
Wisconsin’s secondary will certainly get a test against Minnesota’s wide receiver as they’ll be tasked with trying to slow down Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman. Johnson leads the two in both receptions (49) and receiving yards (786) over Big Ten play but Bateman’s eight receiving touchdowns over Big Ten play ranks first. Burrell won’t directly line up across from either of them but he’ll play an important role in assisting Wisconsin’s corners by trying to slow them down by limiting their yards after the catch. Burrell on the year has registered 39 tackles and has picked off three passes and has broken up three passes as he has been one of Wisconsin’s more consistent members of the secondary. That consistency will need to continue as the Badgers have given up the big play in the passing game over the last three games. Wisconsin can’t afford to do that against Minnesota as Burrell could be the last line of defense to make sure Minnesota can’t create the chunk play against Wisconsin’s secondary.