Badgers Opposition Research: Scouting the Akron Zips Defense

[Da-news-now]

We continue our look in to the Akron Zips, the opponent that will be across from the Wisconsin Badgers in its Camp Randall debut for the 2016 season. Yesterday it was a look at the Akron offense, now it is time to look at the other side of the ball.

Can UW get back on track and score more points in a matchup that doesn’t feature some of the best collection of raw talent in the country? Let’s look in to the defense and what to make of it after the Zips opened up against VMI last week.

Starters


DE: Se’Von Pittman – Sr. (6-3, 260) — 2 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss

DT: Brock Boxen – So. (6-3, 272) — 6 tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss, 1 blocked kick

NT: Darius Copeland – Jr. (6-1, 266) — 9 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss

DE: Jamal Marcus – Sr. (6-2, 249) — 4 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks

SAM: Brian Bell – So. (6-3, 218) — 5 tackles

MIKE: John Rachal – Sr. (5-11, 215) — 6 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss

WILL: Ulysees Gilbert – So. (6-1, 225) — 10 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2 QBH’s

CB: Bryce Jones – Sr. (6-0, 178) — 4 tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss

ROV: James Turner – Sr. (5-11, 209) — 10 tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss

FS: Zach Guiser – Jr. (6-0, 195) — 2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass break up

CB: DeAndre Scott – Sr. (5-11, 185) — 6 tackles



Akron Defensive Stats and Rankings:


(2015 Stat/MAC/National) *according to CFBstats.com

Total Defense: 386.0 ypg — 8th — 81st
Scoring Defense: 24.0 ppg — 7th — t-81st
Passing Defense: 300.0 ypg — 10th — t- 101st
Rushing Defense: 86.0 ypg — 4th — t-33rd

Advanced Stats:


Badgers Offense:

S&P+ offensive rating: 20.7 (103rd)
F/+ ranking: 19.3% (34th)
Points Per Scoring Opp.: 3.20
Offensive Success Rate: 34%

Akron Defense:

S&P+ Defensive Rating: 40.5 (110th)
Def. Points Per Scoring Opp: 4.00
Opp. Success Rate: 33%



What Do the Stats Tell US:


According to the advanced stats, Wisconsin’s offense was pretty bad and Akron’s defense was worse. The key is to figure out which Week 1 conclusion is accurate. We’re going to go with Akron’s defense being really bad, if for no other reason than it gave up 300 yards passing to an FCS school, while the Badgers struggled with arguably the best defense in the SEC at times.

This week is going to be important for the Badgers, who need to show the rest of the Big Ten and the country that it has an offense that is dangerous to go with a defense that clearly is as well. If Wisconsin can take advantage of what the stats say, it should be a big day for Bart Houston and the passing game, while the run game has a bit of fun as well.



3 Keys For Wisconsin’s Offense


Feed Clement: Last week, Clement rushed for 86 yards on 21 carries and got UW’s lone touchdown of the game. He also averaged 4.1 yards per carry. On the surface those numbers don’t seem great, but those all came against a very good LSU defense and with UW starting its drives on average at its own 35-yard line there wasn’t much room to run so to speak. That won’t be the case in this matchup, as Akron wasn’t really tested by VMI. Look for the Badgers offensive line to road grade the Zips in to submission, which means a big day ahead for Clement and important momentum going forward towards that brutal Big Ten schedule.

GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 03: Corey Clement #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the LSU Tigers at Lambeau Field on September 3, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)


3rd Down Conversions: If there was a glaring weakness for the Badgers last week, it was clearly on third down. Wisconsin went just 3 of 15 against LSU on that critical down and if they want to score more than 20 points in a game that stat simply has to change. Of course, one way to make that change is to not face 15 third downs on offense to begin with. We’re guessing that will be the case against Akron, but getting that conversion rate up to 40 or 50 percent against a lesser defense would be a good start towards that confidence growing on offense.

Get Robert Wheelwright Going Early: Last week we saw that Bart Houston loves his security blanket known as roommate and tight end Troy Fumagalli. It was nice to see him have that report with any receiver at all, but there is one guy who needs to get going early in order to make Houston to Fumagalli even more dangerous — Robert Wheelwright. He had four catches for 60 yards himself, good for 15 yards per catch, and there are opportunities for him to stretch the field on the boundaries to help open up everything else for this team. If Wisconsin can establish him in the pass game early on, the rest of the pass and run game opens up. Let’s see if UW can get Wheelwright a few catches in the first couple of possessions to help back off the defense.

The post Badgers Opposition Research: Scouting the Akron Zips Defense appeared first on Madtown Badgers.

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[57packer]

The Akron defense is where this team can be had. They don't have much experience having lost a lot from last year. I think Bucky can run on them and score on them. That will help control the TOP and keep Akron's spread offense off the field.

They do have weapons on offense. Their weakness on offense is the line which is not a tested group. The Badger front 7 is pretty darn good and can generate some pressure. Hopefully they can keep the QB under pressure and make him throw some picks. If they do, Bucky should roll to something like a 34-17 victory.

 

[TW]

How the Badgers handle the spread offense this week is going to determine a lot as to how far they can go during this entire season. When they meet bigger, stronger teams, who can run spread and smash-mouth formations, they'll exploit any weaknesses the Zips find.

One thing is certain. Akron will be a good test of how they handle the spread. If the Badgers get knocked off their assignments, it could turn into a scramble to recover before we hit the big guys.