The Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-5) look to close out the regular season on a positive note when they battle the Wisconsin Badgers (4-7) for Paul Bunyan’s Axe at 2:30 p.m. CST on Saturday, Nov. 29.
Can Wisconsin score on offense?
Against
a Danny Collins-led defense? Yeah, probably.
The Badgers are down to their third- and fourth-string quarterbacks this season after starter Billy Edwards Jr. suffered a knee injury in the season opener that has sidelined him for all but one game since, and back-up Danny O’Neil was carted off the field with a lower leg injury in their upset of No. 24-ranked Washington three weeks ago. True freshman signal caller Carter Smith has gotten the starting nod the last two games, during which he has completed 69 percent of his passes and thrown for a total of 173 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception. They’ve brought in Southern Illinois transfer Hunter Simmons, who is the better pure passer, for a handful of snaps in each game to shake things up, but this patchwork passing game is far from prolific.
Since abandoning the ill-advised Dairy Raid offense in the offseason, Wisconsin has wanted to be more physical on offense, and they’ve looked the part in their last three games. They’ve gotten creative in how they run the ball, using shifts, motions, and misdirection to get defenses out of position and on their heels. After losing two of their top three leading rushers to injury, the Badgers have turned to running back Darrion Dupree as their workhorse. But they’ve also run the ball with Smith, wide receiver Trech Kekahuna, and tight end Jackson Acker. Against a Minnesota defense that has struggled to communicate and been vulnerable to giving up explosive plays by being out of position, Wisconsin offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes is likely chomping at the bit.
The Gophers need to be physical up front and disciplined in their assignments on Saturday, otherwise you’re going to see the country’s 133rd-ranked scoring offense put up far more than their season average of 13.4 points.
Please tell me the Gophers will be able to score
The Badgers rank 16th in run defense (103.2 rushing yards allowed per game), 84th in pass defense (229 passing yards allowed per game), and 45th in scoring defense (22 points allowed per game).
They are playing with a lot of confidence right now because of a ferocious front seven that sets the tone for a defense that has made itself at home in the opposing offense’s backfield. In their last four games, this Wisconsin defense is averaging 4.8 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss per game. Outside linebacker Darryl Peterson III leads the way with 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, but at least 10 different players have notched at least one tackle for loss this season. This is an aggressive-style defense that wants to attack the offense.
Wisconsin also found a building block for its defense in true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, who leads the team with 52 total tackles, though he did leave the game against Illinois last week due to injury and did not return. His status for Saturday is unknown, and his absence would be a significant blow for the Badgers.
Minnesota will need to avoid getting into obvious passing situations against this Wisconsin defense. If you allow their pass rush to pin their ears back, you’re going to lose that battle more often than you win it. Quick passes and high-percentage throws are going to be essential to keep quarterback Drake Lindsey in rhythm.
But who will score more points on Saturday?
I don’t feel great about the Gophers’ chances in this game, but if you think I’m picking the Badgers to win, you’re out of your mind. Minnesota 24, Wisconsin 23.
