Huskers win on 3rd down

[Eric the Red]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/badgers/preview-wisconsin-vs-nebraska-b99390607z1-282784761.html

UW has struggled for most of the season to convert third-down plays, especially when needing 7 yards or more to pick up a first down. The Badgers enter the game eighth in the Big Ten in third-down conversions at 39.1% (45 of 115). Nebraska leads the Big Ten and is second nationally in third-down stops as opponents have converted only 26.6% (37 of 139). The Badgers must be productive on first and/or second down, whether they run or use play-action passes.

Can the Huskers stop UW on 1st and 2nd?

 

[okaive]

I don't understand why teams haven't been running the sweep more on us. Sure we are getting better at it, but it has been our true enemy over the last 4 or 5 years. They easily get 4 to 5 yards on us.

Unless I am missing something, I would be using it every down until NU could actually stop it.

 

[grandpasknee]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/badgers/preview-wisconsin-vs-nebraska-b99390607z1-282784761.html

UW has struggled for most of the season to convert third-down plays, especially when needing 7 yards or more to pick up a first down. The Badgers enter the game eighth in the Big Ten in third-down conversions at 39.1% (45 of 115). Nebraska leads the Big Ten and is second nationally in third-down stops as opponents have converted only 26.6% (37 of 139). The Badgers must be productive on first and/or second down, whether they run or use play-action passes.

Can the Huskers stop UW on 1st and 2nd?

I read this before I went to the gym this morning. On the radio they gave some interesting 3rd down stats. I'm pretty sure these are accurate, but don't "bet" on them. We are 2nd nationally on 3rd down defense and the Vadgers are 3rd. But on offense, the Huskers are 17th on 3rd down conversions, while the Vadgers are 86th (81st?). So yes, 3rd downs might be key. Of course, they always are.

 

[MichiganDad3]

This seems odd. Given that wisky has such a good running offense, you would think they have a lot of 3rd and short which would translate into a high 3rd down conversion rate. It would be interesting to see some stats on their percentages by distance. Maybe they run a lot on 3rd and 3 or 4 and don't make it?

 

[Mavric]

Yeah, I would guess they don't get in a lot of third downs but when the do, it's third and long and they don't throw it well at all.

 

[NUance]

I don't understand why teams haven't been running the sweep more on us. Sure we are getting better at it, but it has been our true enemy over the last 4 or 5 years. They easily get 4 to 5 yards on us.

Unless I am missing something, I would be using it every down until NU could actually stop it.

We have a pretty good pair of DEs and our LBs are better than last year. So we're probly quite a bit better sideline to sideline than this time last year.