Wisconsin Football: 3 Oregon Players to Know in the Rose Bowl

Before the Wisconsin Football team takes on Oregon in the Rose Bowl, here are three players from the Ducks that you need to know.

Despite losing in the Big Ten Championship game, the Wisconsin Football team has earned a bid to the Rose Bowl and once again, they will take on Oregon. The last time these two teams met in Pasadena was during the 2012 season and the Ducks were able to come out on top with a 45 to 38 victory over the Badgers. Hopefully this time around we see a different outcome.

This season, Oregon finished 11-2 overall, including an 8-1 record in the Pac-12. The Ducks were led by their high-scoring offense that ranked 15th in all of college football as well as a top-10 rushing and scoring defense. This certainly won’t be an easy game for the Badgers.

Given that Oregon is an unfamiliar opponent and that here in Wisconsin their games are usually played late at night, fans might not be as familiar with their team. So these are three players, in particular, to know once the ‘Granddaddy of Them All’ begins.

Justin Herbert – QB

This is a name that I’m sure many Badger fans are familiar with as Justin Herbert is one of the top quarterback prospects in this upcoming NFL Draft. While he experienced a down 2018 season by his standards, he has bounced-back nicely in 2019 by completing almost 67 percent of his passes at 8.2 yards per attempt, for 3,333 yards and 32 touchdowns to just five interceptions.

Herbert is the player that makes this Oregon offense tick and he has the arm talent to make just about any throw on the field. Meaning the Wisconsin secondary is going to have to be on their “A” game at all times or a big play could ensue. However, where the Badgers can disrupt Herbert is by pressuring him. As good as the quarterback has been, he has shown lapses in judgement when under duress.

Johnny Johnson III – WR

After experiencing an up and down first two years at Oregon, Johnny Johnson has put together the best year of his career and has been a top target of Justin Herbert’s. Through 12 games, Johnson has hauled in 55 receptions for 818 yards at nearly 15 yards per catch with seven touchdowns. Johnson also put together an incredible performance earlier this season against Arizona State, where he totaled 207 yards at almost 21 yards per catch with two touchdowns.

As we can see from his performance against Arizona State, Johnson has the ability to break-off a big play at just about any moment. Especially with a quarterback of Herbert’s caliber feeding him the ball.

Kayvon Thibodeaux – DE

On the defensive side of the ball, as always the opposing team is going to key in on slowing down Jonathan Taylor. And a name to watch for that could wreak some havoc is defensive end, Kayvon Thibodeaux. While only a freshman, Thibodeaux has made a huge impact this season consistently making plays at or behind the line of scrimmage.

So far he has totaled 34 tackles, 14 of which have been for a loss, along with nine sacks and a forced fumble. In the running game, Wisconsin may want to steer clear of his side of the field and in the passing game, double-teaming Thibodeaux or at least chipping him to provide some help should be a must. If the Badgers aren’t careful, he could wreck this game.