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Power-Five Matchup brings Power-Five Takeaways

After a notable Power-Five matchup weekend, BadgerBlitz.com took away five things from UW's recent victory. 

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MADISON - Last Saturday, the Badgers took down the Wolverines, 24-10, at Camp Randall. It was one of the program’s most important regular-season games and propelled UW’s record to 11-0.

Additionally, Wisconsin's recent home win highlights five observations surrounding both programs:

1. Hesitation or Ability?

Those watching Wisconsin’s first offensive play against the Wolverines on Saturday morning witnessed an exceedingly rare event: an Alex Hornibrook rushing play.

Entering Saturday’s game, Hornibrook’s longest forward run of 2017 was one yard. Then, a quick four-yard dash against the Michigan defense added a new highlight play to his resume.

On their next offensive drive, though, Hornibrook missed another opportunity to run and to pick up a first-down. Instead, he opted to throw towards tight end Kyle Penniston and was almost intercepted. At times, Hornibrook is presented with opportunities to run, but has opted not to. In all, this hinders the versatility of the UW offense.

In comparison to other quarterbacks in the conference, Hornibrook does not come close to their rushing statistics. For example, entering Saturday's play, Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett (572 rushing yards) and Michigan State Quarterback Brian Lewerke (370 rushing yards) continue to be (statistically) light-years ahead of Hornibrook.

Whether Hornibrook doesn’t recognize the opportune times to run or if he is not comfortable dashing forward limits the play-calling and potential of an offense that could use his legs on short downs.

2. Seeing Through the Fog

Do not let Michigan’s ranking or Wisconsin’s schedule fool you: both defenses have been very good in 2017 and flexed their respective muscles at Camp Randall on Saturday.

Entering the matchup, Wisconsin (1st overall; av. 13.4 ppg) and Michigan (3rd overall, 16.4 ppg) were among the BIG Ten’s best in scoring defense. Regarding total defense, Wisconsin boasted the best numbers of the conference, but Michigan sat just behind them (second-best). As you might guess, the list continues in a like manner, as both teams were ranked within no more than two spots of each other except red-zone defense (UW was first overall and Michigan was eighth).

Consequently, the first half numbers were reflective of these top-defenses competing head-to-head. The score was 7-7, with both teams recording less than 10 first downs and held each other to under 60 yards rushing.

Many expected the game to be a grudge match, and it was until the UW offense put its foot on the gas.

3. Major Hype, Major Money and Minor Results.

As a fifth-year starting quarterback in 1986, Jim Harbaugh led the Wolverines to the 1987 Rose Bowl, finished third in the Heisman Trophy hunt and was selected in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft.

Yet, as Harbaugh continues to coach at his alma mater, the same hype he brought as a player hasn’t translated on all fronts. Although it is tough to find a coach in the CFB landscape with as much experience or respect as Harbaugh, he hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations.

Year 1 (2015-2016): Third-place finish in BIG Ten East ($7 million-dollar salary)

Year 2 (2016-2017): Third-place finish in BIG Ten East ($9 million-dollar salary)

Year 3 (2017-2018): Likely fourth-place finish in BIG Ten East ($7 million-dollar salary)

Granted, the BIG Ten East has been one of the toughest divisions in college football in recent memory. But, Michigan paid Harbaugh to overcome such adversity and to consistently come out on top, and that he has not done.

4. UW players step up when called upon

Wisconsin has experienced its fair share of injuries this year (ex. Taiwan Deal, Jack Cichy, Quintez Cephus, etc.). However, time after time, the team proves when one player falls, two more step up to fill his place.

The list of big contributions from young stars goes on for a while and includes the likes of Kendric Pryor, Danny Davis and A.J. Taylor among others. This is what makes UW so dangerous and a huge reason why the team sits undefeated entering the final game of the 2017 regular season.

5. Time to Face the Facts Heisman Voting Committee: Jonathan Taylor is that Good

There are three things that I believe in life:

I. If you work hard, you will eventually succeed.

II. Your character, not your appearance, defines you.

III. If you put your mind to a goal, the accolades and recognition will eventually come.

This year, true freshman running back Jonathan Taylor has shown he embodies all the characteristics I list above. On Nov. 20, 2017, Taylor joined Badgers RB legends (Ron Dayne, John Clay, Montee Ball and Melvin Gordon) as the fifth rusher in program history to be named a finalist for the Doak Walker award. Yet, the fun likely isn’t stopping there for the New Jersey native.

All season-long, I have been an advocate for Taylor to win the Heisman Award, but the Committee hasn’t seen eye to eye with me. Personally, it is tough to imagine where the Badgers would be without his offensive production and his presence on the field. Thus, Heisman Voting Committee, I beg you to give Taylor the representation he deserves as a finalist for one of CFB’s most prestigious awards. Without Taylor, UW likely would not be an undefeated program in 2017.

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