BYU Football: Chunk Yardage and two other keys to beating Wisconsin

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TUCSON, AZ – SEPTEMBER 01: Running back J.J. Taylor #21 of the Arizona Wildcats rushes the football during the college football game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Arizona Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Tucson, Arizona. The Cougars defeated the Wildcats 28-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Run Defense

The BYU front seven will be faced with a monumental task against Wisconsin. They’re going to have to find a way to contain running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Jonathan Taylor. He’s one of the best runners (if not the best) in college football, and he’s got one of the best offensive lines (if not the best) in college football opening up holes for him.

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Last year Wisconsin’s offense dominated BYU both on the ground and through the air. Because the Badgers established the run game early it opened the field and overwhelmed the Cougar defense.

While Taylor “only” rushed for 128 yards in last year’s matchup, the Badgers overall rushed for 235 yards. They passed for 256 yards, achieving nearly perfect balance.

For the Cougars to slow down the Badger offense, they’ve got to disrupt that balance. BYU’s rush defense is stronger than their pass defense, so it’s got to fall on the shoulders of the Cougar front seven to slow down the run game enough to cause an imbalance.

The Badgers tend to wear down their opponents as the game progresses, and if they jump out to an early lead they’ll milk the clock and rely on the run. BYU can’t let that happen.

If the Cougar offense can’t sustain drives this is a moot point, but if BYU can put some points on the board and give the defense rest, then it’ll be up to the defense to do their part by stopping Taylor and the run game.

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