Know your Northwestern football opponent, Week 11: Wisconsin

Heading into last season, the Badgers were tasked with the challenge of replacing their entire front seven on defense. But many of the inexperienced players on the defensive side of the ball rose to the challenge and it was clear by the middle of the year that the Badgers' defense had gelled together and was among the strongest units in the conference. Their defense finished No. 4 in the nation last year, allowing only 294 yards per game, and even adjusting for tempo, they still finished 15th in the S&P+ rankings. And while their play last year was definitely a positive, there was also plenty of room for improvement (if you have any doubt about that, go re-watch the Big Ten Championship game).

While Wisconsin is losing its two starting inside linebackers (Derek Landisch and Marcus Trotter) in 2015, there's less rebuilding to do this year than last year. Among the notable contributors returning this season include safety Michael Caputo, the outside linebacker tandem of Joe Schobert and Vince Biegel, nose tackle Arthur Goldberg, cornerbacks Sojourn Shelton and Darius Hillary, and, perhaps most importantly, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. There was much speculation that Aranda would depart along with Anderson this past offseason, especially following the successful 2014 campaign. But Aranda decided to stay, and as a result, the defense has the potential to be improved in 2015.

Wisconsin also loses four of its front seven starters from 2014, but the returning players show plenty of promise for the future. In hopes of improving his 3-4 scheme, Aranda plans to shift Goldberg from nose tackle to defensive end, making room for younger players like defensive end Chikwe Obasih.

In the secondary, the Badgers return all four of their starters from last season, and also have moved McEvoy back to free safety following his brief stint at quarterback in hopes of adding more depth. Having Shelton and Hillary return at cornerback should improve the Badgers' pass defense, while returning sophomore Lubern Figaro will look to have a breakout season at free safety playing alongside Caputo, one of the best in the country.

Corey Clement, RB -As Gordon's backup in 2014, Clement was still able to register 949 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 6.5 yards per carry. A large portion of his work came late in games after Gordon had already run all over opposing defenses, but nevertheless, he was impressive. Now, with Gordon gone, Clement will enter his junior year as the every down back for the Badgers. He is a powerful runner who is capable of running between the tackles, but can also showcase breakaway speed if given space. He will have high expectations weighing on his shoulders, but don't be surprised if Clement is able to exceed those expectations — just as Wisconsin's running backs have done time and time again over the year.

Joel Stave, QB - It has been a roller-coaster ride of a career for Stave, filled with quarterback battles and injuries. But this season, Stave enters camp as the undisputed starter. He is reunited with Chryst — his old offensive coordinator from 2011 when he won the starting job midway through the season as a freshman. Stave has thrown for 4,948 yards, 37 touchdowns and 26 interceptions so far in his career; and at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he possesses the ideal size, arm strength, and accuracy to be a successful college quarterback. In the past, his downfall has been poor decision-making in crucial moments. Perhaps his best weapon is his ability to accurately throw the deep ball, something that Chryst will be eager to utilize in his pro-style offense come this season.

Michael Caputo, SS - Caputo, a fifth-year senior, was the Badgers' leading tackler last year, totaling 106 tackles (6 tackles for a loss). As one of the captains this year, Caputo will look to provide leadership and use his disruptive play-making abilities to lead by example. Last season, Caputo was a consensus second-team All-Big Ten selection, and if he performs up to his standards this season, he could earn first-team honors.

Behind Enemy Lines

Jake Kokorowski from SB Nation Wisconsin blog Bucky's 5th Quarter gives us his best- and worst-case scenarios for Wisconsin in 2015:

Best-case scenario:

On offense, head coach Paul Chryst's pro-style provides a surge to the Wisconsin passing game and senior quarterback Joel Stave -- who completes 65 percent of his passes in 2015. Wide receivers Alex Erickson and a healthy Robert Wheelwright provide the first, substantial receiving duo at the position since 2011, and sophomore tight end Troy Fumagalli provides a deep threat down the seam that lives up to the hype Melvin Gordon mentioned in 2014. That makes opposing defenses stop stacking eight or nine defenders in the box as seen in the past two seasons and opens up the dominant Wisconsin running game even further for junior running back Corey Clement, who scampers for over 2,000 yards behind a rebuilt offensive line that avoids major injury. Wisconsin's offense does not reach the levels seen under quarterbacks in Scott Tolzien and Russell Wilson in 2010 and 2011, respectively, but scores close to 31 to 35 points per game.

The defense holds its own against Alabama in the season opener, creating several turnovers and the chance to win late in the game, but the Crimson Tide holds on to a hard-fought defensive struggle 17-14. From there, the offense regains its confidence, owning the rest of the softer non-conference schedule post-Bama and Iowa at Camp Randall, and go on the road and defeat the Huskers in a tough contest in Lincoln. Without Ohio State or Michigan State during conference play, Wisconsin wins the rest of its regular season games, and faces the Buckeyes in a rematch of last year's Big Ten Championship game. Wisconsin puts up a bigger fight than last year, but still falls in the title game. Their reward, however, is another New Year's Day bowl and a highly successful first season for Chryst.

Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda's 3-4 scheme continues to lay havoc as it has the past two seasons. Outside linebackers Vince Biegel and Joe Schobert lead the most dynamic set of linebackers Wisconsin's ever seen, racking up sacks and tackles for loss each game. The veteran secondary lives up to its hype, as a rejuvenated Sojourn Shelton interceptions six passes during the season, and safety Michael Caputo continues to stuff running games as a pseudo fifth-linebacker. The defensive line solidifies with the experience gained in 2014, as sophomores Chikwe Obasih and Alec James add to the pass rush, helping the Badgers to average two turnovers forced per game.

Worst-case scenario:

Injuries plague the offensive line, as center Dan Voltz and left guard Ray Ball miss valuable time during the season. Younger players have to step up but the line doesn't gel -- causing hiccups in the running game with inconsistent efforts. That forces the offense to depend upon Stave and the passing game, but his progress is stunted with opposing defenses picking off errant passes when the former walk-on tries to do too much and the projected receiving targets do not live up to their potential.

Bama shocks the Badgers early on in Dallas with forcing turnovers early against that offensive line and Stave that translate to easy points for the Tide. Wisconsin never fully recovers to make it a close contest, as junior running back Derrick Henry carries the Tide offense. Wisconsin owns the next four contests, but Jordan Stevenson -- the former verbal commit who was just denied admissions to the university in early July but signed with the Huskers -- runs wild in early October and scores two touchdowns in an emotional victory at home. The Badgers narrowly escape in the rest of their home games, but stumble in a Northwestern-like loss circa 2014 at Maryland -- and, after holding the Paul Bunyan's Axe for 11 straight years, the Badgers lose a shocker against Jerry Kill's Gophers surprise and shock Wisconsin at TCF Stadium with turnovers and injuries hurting UW's chances at holding the Axe for the 12th straight year. At 8-4, Wisconsin misses the Big Ten Championship game but flounders into a non-New Year's Day bowl game, it's first not played on Jan. 1 since the Champs Sports Bowl in 2009.

The defense carries its weight on the team, but with being on the field for over 35 minutes a game, the wear and tear take their toll. Wisconsin's inside linebackers, Leon Jacobs and T.J. Edwards, though showing flashes of great potential in the spring, show their greenness in their first season starting and face some problems staying healthy. With five of Wisconsin's eight projected inside linebackers true freshmen, the Badgers have to rely on youth to step up quickly with mixed results. The defensive line misses the leadership of Warren Herring and Konrad Zagzebski, and offenses take advantage of that position group trying to find its identity. The secondary, which many believe to be of great potential for the third straight year, stumbles with quarterbacks picking on Shelton as they did in 2014 -- which causes the junior to lose the confidence he regained in the spring.

Bill Connelly says...

SB Nation college football guru Bill Connelly has been maniacally churning out previews for all 128 FBS teams. Here's an excerpt from his Wisconsin Preview on why Wisconsin is still the favorite to capture the Big Ten West title.

It's hard to avoid making assumptions. No matter the coach, no matter the personnel, you know the Badgers are going to run well, and thanks to four top-30 defenses in the last six years, you assume they are going to play steady D. There will be power football, there will be "Jump Around," and there will be wins.

Still, Wisconsin is the surest bet in the Big Ten West. Minnesota has risen for three straight years, and Nebraska's got new energy and a nice schedule. But the kings are still the kings until they are dethroned. The Badgers have won three of four against Nebraska and 11 straight against Minnesota. That they have to go to Lincoln and Minneapolis is scary, especially since the passing game isn't guaranteed to improve, but they avoid both Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, and Penn State out of the East and will be favorites in each of their other six conference games.

Paul Chryst isn't a perfect hire, but he seems good enough to keep this ship steered. Wisconsin will have a solid chance of winning the West, and with quite a few high-impact underclassmen, the Badgers set up well for 2016 as well.

Final Thoughts

Last year, the Badgers' traveled to Evanston, turned in a sluggish performance, and fell 20-14. However, in the Wildcats' last three trips to Madison, they've been outscored by the Badgers 146-38. Although this may be Chryst's first season at the helm, he returns plenty of impact starters on the defensive end and a plethora of talent on offense, coupled with a promising incoming recruiting class. The Badgers could have one of the best defensive units in the Big Ten, and a dominant rushing game is basically a given.

While the extent of Wisconsin's success this season could ultimately hinge on how well Stave develops under Chryst's supervision, against NU, the Badgers' should be able to lean on Clement and have success on the ground. If Stave is able to connect on the occasional downfield pass, this game could be over in the third quarter, especially with Wisconsin seeking revenge from last season's loss. The key for Northwestern will be controlling the Badgers' offense, as it did last season.