Alex Hornibrook holds the keys to Badgers College Football Playoff hopes

[Da-news-now]

The University of Wisconsin has returned to being one of the most dominant running teams in the country in 2017 after a down year in 2016. With the emergence of star freshman running back Jonathan Taylor, UW’s offense has soared to new heights in the Paul Chryst era. Taylor leads the Big Ten in rushing (1,525 yards) and is third in the nation in that category along with fourth in rushing...

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[TW]

I agree. The Badgers will either be a contender, or lose, based on how Hornibrook plays. He's shown us he can be a viable QB, and find open receivers. He's also shown us that he can stare down receivers making interceptions easy. He's also thrown way too many passes with too much air under them, giving defenders opportunities for picks, instead of being out there where only the receivers can make the catch. Which Alex will show up against Michigan?

No doubt about it, this game against Michigan is huge for the Badgers, and Hornibrook needs to play as good, if not better, than he ever has before, to give the Badgers a feeling they can win the whole thing at the end of the year.

 

[57packer]

Yup, how he plays will determine how the season goes down. Now, some of that will be on his o-line to play a little more consistently and minimize the penalties as well. Hornibrook cannot run and his pocket presence and escapability is sketchy at best. If the OL can give him time, and he can avoid the too-frequent INT's, they have a good shot.

This week will be a big test. If they can't run against Michigan and Hornibrook has to win it throwing the ball against Michigan's speedy LBs and DBs it will be something for him and the team to build on if they win.

 

[Budman]

He played well against Michigan. Took awhile for the offense to get going but they got it going. Playing tOSU is going to be a challenge. Their defense is fast and they like to pressure so a slow start is not an option.

 

[Crease Creature]

Their defense is fast and they like to pressure so a slow start is not an option.

Ohio St probably has similar defense to Michigan speed wise, but are much better on offense. They gave up 21 to Indiana, 31 to OU, 38 to PSU, and 55 to Iowa.

They've laid the boom, offensively, on some of the worst teams in the conference.

 

[Budman]

Ohio St probably has similar defense to Michigan speed wise, but are much better on offense. They gave up 21 to Indiana, 31 to OU, 38 to PSU, and 55 to Iowa.

They've laid the boom, offensively, on some of the worst teams in the conference.

Good stuff Crease. Very good points. I'm hoping UW just stomps them and gets into the playoffs. The Badgers are very deserving.

A high powered offense that scores a lot of points can put pressure on an opposing offense and can make them one dimensional. UW defense should definitely be able to hold them in check and that, in turn, helps the UW offense

 

[TW]

What amazes me is how the Badgers wear their opposition down in the second half. A lot of it is half-time adjustments. I wish McCarthy and his coaches would take a lesson from the Badgers coaching staff. They got it working!