Wisconsin Football: 3 Keys to Victory over Iowa

After two straight losses the Wisconsin Football team is looking to get back on track and to do so, these are their three keys to beating the Iowa Hawkeyes this Saturday.

Through six games the Wisconsin Football team was 6-0 and ranked sixth nationally. But since then, they’ve suffered a devastating loss to Illinois and they were simply outmatched by Ohio State. As disappointing as the last few weeks have been, the Badgers still have a lot to play for.

At 6-2 they are tied for second in the Big Ten West behind an undefeated Minnesota, who they still have to play, and tied with Iowa, who they matchup against this weekend. While the College Football Playoffs are no longer within reach, a Big Ten West Title, a Big Ten Championship berth, and a high-profile bowl game are all attainable.

However, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, in order to achieve those goals the Wisconsin football team has to win their final four games of the season and it all starts this Saturday with Iowa. If they are going to come away with the win over the Hawkeyes, these are their three keys to doing so.

Manageable 3rd downs

On the season the Badgers have converted 50 percent of their third down attempts but during their last two games they’ve managed only 43 percent, including just 4-13 against Ohio State. However, if Wisconsin can be closer to their season average against Iowa, it means Jonathan Taylor is picking up four or five yards on first and/or second downs and the Badger offensive line is creating holes, which is going to be a tall task against this Iowa defensive front.

On the flip side, if the Badgers are in third and long for a majority of the day, well, then this could be a long day for the Wisconsin offense. This season, Iowa is allowing just 10.1 points per game (3rd nationally), 87.8 rushing yards per game (8th), and they are sixth in total defense.

For a Badgers’ team that has struggled to move the ball and put up points in recent weeks, keeping third downs manageable against a stout Iowa defense is going to be a must.

Get TE Jake Ferguson involved in the passing game

As we’ve just discussed, Iowa has one of the best run defenses in the country and they will make things difficult for Taylor and the Badger offensive line. So much of the burden on offense could fall on quarterback Jack Coan. But regardless of whether the Wisconsin run game is struggling to get going or instead they’re keeping the Iowa defense off-balance with the passing game, they need to get Coan’s favorite target, Jake Ferguson involved.

Through eight games, Ferguson has been Coan’s go-to target as he is an impressive 21/26 when targeting Ferguson for 245 yards at 11.7 yards per catch and two touchdowns. And for this Badger offense to move the ball against this stingy Hawkeye defense , Ferguson will have to be a factor.

Limit the big play

After cruising through the first six games of the season which included four shutouts, the Wisconsin defense has had issues against Illinois and Ohio State, and the big play has been a major reason why.

Against Illinois, the Badger defense would give up a 43-yard touchdown on the ground and an additional two touchdowns through the air of 48-yards and 29-yards, respectively. Then the following week at Ohio State, they’d give up two runs of more than 20-yards along with another run over 30. While in the passing game they’d give up two receptions of more than 20 yards.

Fortunately this week the Badgers are playing an Iowa team that struggles to move the ball and rank 81st nationally in total offense. However with that said, keep in mind that the Illinois offense isn’t very good either. For the Wisconsin defense to return to their dominant ways, they have to limit Iowa’s big plays.