Look at the granular stats on Wisconin...they are first or second in an incredible number of measures. Their defense is sick, and their offense is a machine, plus the are more than respectable on Special Teams.
Stats can be misleading. The way Wisconsin runs their offense it was almost always inflate their defensive numbers. They pound the rock, control tempo and clock which means their defense will be on the field less. Fewer plays on the field, better defensive stats. A team like Oregon that's going to try to run it's offense fast, run 85 plays and thus subject it's defense to being on the field an extra 20-30 plays is going to have worse defensive metrics. that doesn't mean Wisconsins D isn't better than a spread team, it may very well be, I just think you have to consider some other variables.
with that being said, I do think this Wisconsin defense is pretty good. they haven't played a team that can really fling it, so that'd be interesting to see how theyd fair against that, but they don't have to worry about that this weekend at least. I think the Wisconsin D will hold up pretty well this coming weekend.
now the offense I don't agree. yes, I think the badgers run ball very effectively, but they are one dimensional. hornibrook is a liability. 63% completions is not bad, but 21 TDs to 13 Picks is not a good ratio. and he just lacks the arm strength to take the top off of a defense. If this badger team ever got down by 14-21 points that's how they could get an ugly number hung on them. I don't think that happens this weekend however, the OSU defensive line has been good but not great and the LB's have been horrible.
I don't think Clemson or Auburn would be good matchups for wiscy though, I think they would struggle to get to 17 points on either of those 2 squads. OU would be a good matchup though, they could definitely run the ball on them.
