The USC Trojans came up short against the Michigan Wolverines last week in their first official conference game as a member of the Big 10. Now they look to bounce back against their second official conference game against the Wisconsin Badgers.
The Badgers come into the game with the same record as the Trojans; 2-1. They looked good against Western Michigan and South Dakota but were trounced by the Alabama Crimson Tide.
So what can we learn from the statistics they put up in their first three games?
Wisconsin Badgers’s Dominant Pass Blocking
Wisconsin has allowed the eighth-fewest pressures (15) and QB hurries (10) among Power 5 teams
with 100-plus dropback attempts this season (Pro Football Focus)
The Trojans pass rush allowed them to stay in the game against the Michigan Wolverines. They pressured Alex Orji on 10 of his 17 dropbacks.
And quarterback pressure is how Alabama handed Wisconsin their first loss. Eight of the 15 and two of their five sacks allowed came against the Tide.
But, Can They Run It?
Wisconsin ranks 80th in yards per carry (4.0), the lowest of any USC Trojans opponent so far this season. Badgers’ running backs have just two plays of 20-plus rushing yards this season on 111 attempts.
But this is where that could change for the Badgers. The Trojans’ defense has improved vastly, but they have allowed 163 yards per game on the ground; 113 yards to the Tigers, 87 to the Utes, and a ridiculous 290 yards against the Wolverines.
Now down to their backup quarterback, the Badgers may lean into the running game more than in the past.
While in general, the badger backs have been bad, Chez Mellusi has been good when his number was called. He has 46 carries for 200 yards and three touchdowns and has three carries for 10 yards or more. That includes a 21-yard run against Alabama. He also averaged 6 yards per attempt against them.
Cade Yacamelli has also been impressive with 4.9 yards per carry against ‘Bama and 7.4 yards on the year.
(Bad)gers Defense Vs USC Trojans In The Red Zone
Wisconsin’s defense has allowed a 100 percent red-zone scoring rate. Four of six have gone for touchdowns.
On USC’s 18 trips to the red zone, they have scored 16 times, 11 for touchdowns.
The rub with these numbers is that the Wisconsin defense has allowed just six trips to the red zone, tied for second least. USC’s offense is tied for 14th most in the NCAA.