Are the Wisconsin Badgers Rose Bowl Bound?

Nov 9, 2013

The Wisconsin Badgers possess one of the most dynamic backfields in college football behind running backs Melvin Gordon, who is averaging 134.3 rushing yards per game and James White, who is averaging 100.5 yards per game.  Wisconsin has also won 28 consecutive home games versus non-conference opponents, which is the second-longest active streak among FBS programs.  Let’s take a closer look at how Wisconsin grades out from the line of scrimmage:

Wisconsin Offense:

  • Wisconsin is averaging 38.4 points per game at 6.7 yards per rush play, 8.3 yards per pass attempt and 7.3 yards per play;
  • The Badgers are averaging 42.2 points per game at home at 7.5 yards per rush play, 8.6 yards per pass play and 7.9 yards per play;
  • The Badgers are 1.7 yards per rush play, 1.1 yards per pass attempt and 1.4 yards per play better than average offensively in 2013.

For the purposes of today’s game against BYU, the Badgers possess a 0.6 yards per play advantage offensively over the Cougars’ stop unit.

Wisconsin Defense:

  • Wisconsin is limiting opponents to just 15.0 points per game at 2.9 yards per rush play, 5.7 yards per pass attempt and 4.4 yards per play;
  • Incredibly, the Badgers are yielding just 4.0 points per game at home this season at 3.3 yards per play and 46.6 yards per point;
  • Overall, Wisconsin is 1.2 yards per rush play, 1.1 yards per pass play and 0.9 yards per play better than average defensively in 2013.

As for today’s game, Wisconsin takes the field with a 0.5 yards per play advantage defensively over the Cougars’ attack.

With remaining games against Indiana, Minnesota and Penn State, two of which are home, it looks like the Badgers are going to finish the 2013 campaign at 10-2, which should be good enough to have them land in the Big Ten Conference Title game.  The winner of the title game will earn the Big Ten’s automatic berth in the Rose Bowl, and Pro Edge Sports would not be surprised if that winner is Wisconsin.