As both the Trojans and Badgers prepare for a game that I will be intensely following on Wednesday night, different strengths and strategies have emerged from each camp as preparation heats up. For both teams, trips to the San Diego Zoo and aboard the USS Roosevelt have brought some levity to the magnitude of the game, however the principal focus still remains on the gridiron.
For the Trojans, the following are some important keys that will lead them to victory.
Give the offense some momentum early
The Badgers’ defense is the stingiest in the nation, and ranks number one nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 13 points per game. For an explosive offense like the Trojans, this is anathema. To counter this, it starts out with giving the running game something to work with. Ronald Jones II and Tre Madden just need to work with holes created by the offensive line, the most basic element of a running game. Should a somewhat fledgling offensive line hold up in the first quarter, the run game can be established easily and USC can start working the football. With a formative run game, finding receivers other than Juju Smith-Schuster will be the next step. It is obvious that the Badgers defense will focus on Smith-Schuster, seeing as he is the cerebral element of the Trojans’ passing game. Therefore, role players like Steven Mitchell or Isaac Whitney getting short to mid-range completions will force the Badgers to look elsewhere. Then, Smith-Schuster can be deployed, using his explosive yards-after-catch ability and quickness to cement the Trojans’ offensive attack.
Create an interception
In many of the Trojans’ key victories this season, the defense has come through with an interception to sway momentum towards USC. For example, Cam Smith’s thee picks against then third ranked Utah, Adore’e Jackson’s pick-six against California, and Jackson and Iman Marshall’s key interceptions in the UCLA game helped fuel the fire for the Trojans momentum. Seeing as the Badgers, a traditionally ground-oriented offense, are spending the majority of their time this season passing the football, a pick if not multiple picks of Joel Stave would be crucial for USC in igniting a flame. Especially with how strong the Badgers defense will be, the ability to go after their offense puts even more pressure on their defense to perform, and with a low strength of schedule and subsequent inexperience, the defense could crack against the Spirit of Troy.
Win the field position battle
At the end of the day, this Wisconsin defense really does pose a strong threat to USC. Therefore, it is imperative that the Trojans win the field position battle to put some pressure off their offense and onto the defense to stop them. Although the Badgers travel incredibly well, there really is no support system like the Trojan Family, and with the game being a short two-hour drive from Los Angeles, cardinal and gold will be decked out. Long returns from Adore’e Jackson and a stable offense can go a long way for this USC team in San Diego, thus good field position is a must.
Sources:
ESPN
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