Here are three offensive players for the Badgers who could play an important role in Wisconsin’s success against Oregon in the Rose Bowl Game:
1. Jonathan Taylor RB
In what is likely Taylor’s last game as a Wisconsin Badger he’ll be going against a talented rush defense that’s allowing an average of 106.8 yards per game. Taylor the two-time Doak Walker Award winner is averaging 146.8 yards per game this season and rushed for 21 touchdowns. Although Oregon has done well of defending the run this season outside of Utah’s running back Zach Moss who rushed for 113 yards on 19 carries in the Pac-12 Championship game Taylor will be the best back they have faced. Taylor’s ability to consistently pick up positive yards will allow for Wisconsin to have a chance of sustaining drives against the Ducks defense. Wisconsin’s ability to sustain drives and consistently come away with points will be important as Oregon’s defense is allowing 15.6 points per game this season.
2. Jack Coan QB
Coan over Wisconsin’s last five games threw 1,050 yards on a combined 76-for-120 (63.3 percent) passing and seven passing touchdowns against two interceptions to go along with two rushing touchdowns. Coan has been strong over Wisconsin’s last five games and he’ll need to put together another efficient game and distribute the football to his variety of targets. Coan’s ability to consistently hit his targets will help take the pressure off of Taylor in the run game. In particular, Coan is going to need to be able to complete passes on all three levels for Wisconsin’s offense to generate a rhythm. Coan’s ability to do so will make Wisconsin’s offense hard to defend for Oregon’s defense.
3. Tyler Biadasz C
Biadasz who won the Rimington Trophy, which is given to the best center each year will be responsible for helping pave the way for Wisconsin’s ground attack in addition to helping keep Coan from being sacked. Oregon has a talented defensive line as they are led by defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux who leads the team in both tackles for loss (14) and sacks (nine). Biadasz and the rest of Wisconsin’s offensive line will need to neutralize the play of Oregon’s defensive line to allow for Wisconsin’s offense to generate a rhythm. With Oregon’s defense allowing 329.6 yards of total offense and an average of 4.8 yards per play this season, the Badgers will need to take advantage of each offensive possession in order to keep Wisconsin’s defense fresh.