Wisconsin vs. TCU
Wisconsin loves to use their physicality to push opposing defense around. They excel to isolation blocking and use their size advantage to maul opposing defenses into the ground. The runningback trio of John Clay, James White and Montee Ball provide a good mix of talents and game breaking ability. Clay is a pounder, White is more of a burner (though a tough runner in his own right) and Ball is a bit of a mix between the two. Wisconsin hopes to run right at the undersized defensive front of the Horned Frogs. However, the Wisconsin offensive line has had problems protecting their legs and the athletic TCU defenders can run past the mauling offensive linemen if they aren’t sound in their assignments. This makes the play calling of offensive coordinator Paul Chryst all the more important. Chryst usually does a good job of mixing the passing game into the running game that Wisconsin uses. That most often comes in the form of screens and quick passes that favor the skills of their wide receivers most notable Nick Toon. Quarterback Scott Tolzien is very effective at working those routes and works well within his skills set.
TCU also focuses heavily on their running but they prefer to use the zone-read option to open up holes for the athletic Andy Dalton and speedy Ed Wesley and Matt Tucker. Wesley is a slippery and dangerous open field runner, while Tucker pounds the rock in the middle. Dalton is a good runner, but not an elite running quarterback. It’s enough, however to help open up the underneath passing route that Dalton excels at exploiting. If he can get passes off to Jeremy Kerley in space, then the Wisconsin defense will be in trouble because Kerley excels in space and is also one of the most dangerous return men in the country. Kerley’s explosiveness in both passing game and (especially) in the return game should give TCU the field position advantage. Wisconsin is one of the worst punt and kick coverage teams in the country. Wisconsin does feel like they have an advantage defensively however, because their defensive ends play disciplined football and it allows them to just drop seven into coverage, where they feel like they can take away Dalton’s ability to throw the ball. However Dalton can take the ball up the middle in those cases and keep the chains moving.
Prospects to Watch
Wisconsin
Gabe Carimi – Offensive Tackle: The guy who replaced Joe Thomas at Wisconsin, Carimi has been a solid replacement and he is a solid prospect. He drives defenders off the ball consistently in the run game and knows how to adjust to blitzers in the passing game. He does show some fundamental weaknesses though, like not sinking his hips enough to gain leverage, not staying low when run blocking and getting too much depth on his stick step, allowing pass rushers to build steam getting to him. However a lot of this can be coached away and his consistent durability should be enough to get him drafted. The only real question will be whether he goes in the late first round or in the early second round.
TCU
Marcus Cannon – Offensive Tackle/Guard: this is a definite case of having all the tools but appearing to not have the ability to use them properly. Cannon has the ability to mirror most pass rushers, maul defenders in run blocking and knows how to lock out defenders once he gets set. However more elite pass rushers can beat him and he occasionally gets lost in picking up blitzes and stunts. He doesn’t adjust well when he gets surprised and there are questions about how well he’ll be able to pick up complex NFL schemes. He’ll get drafted because he’s a work hard guy with talent, but those questions about his ability to handle the mental side of the game will keep him in the late third or early fourth round of the draft.
Final Pick
TCU – The best defense in the country is not an illusion. They will be able to shut down everything Wisconsin throws at them.
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