Three weeks out and the trash talking has begun, I guess? According to this report in The Oregonian the Ducks defense "isn't concerned" with Wisconsin's offensive line. Huh? O.k., sure I can understand having confidence in what you do and yourself, but there's confidence and then there's hubris. So, which is it?
First off let's take a sampling of the quotes from Oregon defenders:
“It’s no concern,” Oregon defensive end Terrell Turner said. “They are strong. We’re going to be just as strong as them. Everyone always looks down on our D-line and we go in there and play as hard as we can.”
“I’m not concerned at all,” Oregon safety Eddie Pleasant said regarding defending Wisconsin’s running game. “It’s college football. We’ve played against big lines, big running backs the whole year.”
“He has a great offensive line,” Oregon defensive tackle Isaac Remington said. “He gets to the second level pretty easily because they do a good job blocking.” (talking about Montee Ball)
“They’re good,” Remington said. “They finish blocks. But there are some pass protection issues.”
“We always play against big guys so I’m not really worried about it,” he said. “I’m just going to play the same game I’ve played all year.” (Terrell Turner)
O.k., now that we have that out of the way, I say huh? There are some valid points in some of what the Oregon defenders have to say, but why poke the Badger in this case? Notice the guys doing most of the "trash" talking aren't the ones having to face the interior of the Wisconsin offensive line?
Wisconsin doesn't just have a small weight advantage over the Oregon defensive line, Bucky outweighs their front 4 by an average of 50 pounds. I don't know about you, but if I were a small defensive end looking across the field at Josh Oglesby about to pound me into the ground as the Badgers rushing attack got going I'd be a bit worried about that weight advantage. It just so happens it would be a nearly 100lbs. advantage for Oglesby, so ya I think that's a bit troublesome in the run game.
As for the "not concerned" comments, I don't believe that for a second. If you're not concerned about going up against an offensive line that sports 2 All-Americans and the 3 remaining players are all-conference selections you're just lying to yourself. Additionally, if you really aren't worried about something you're not talking about it all the time. It almost comes across as if they're trying to convince themselves of that fact.
In the article the Oregon players compare the Badgers offensive line to the Stanford o-line. O.k, I guess it's a small resemblance to ours, but it's no where near as big nor full of the talent we have.
The biggest offensive line they faced all year was LSU, averaging just over 315lbs up front. Wisconsin averages 322lbs. a piece up front. Oh and did I mention they're also all very athletic.
Additionally they're blocking for a running back the likes of which Oregon hasn't seen all season. Sure they see LaMichael James in practice, but Montee Ball is not LaMichael James. Ball is a lethal combination of speed, elusiveness, and power. James? All speed and elusiveness.
The best RB that Oregon faced all season was Cal's Isi Sofele. He finished the season ranked 17th in total rushing yards with 1,270 and had 119 yards on only 12 carriers (just 2 in the 2nd half) in Oregon's 43-15 beat down of the Golden Bears.
Call me crazy, but if Sofele can run off 119 yards on just 12 carries on the road with Cal's offensive line, I have a feeling Montee Ball can top that with Wisconsin's offensive line.
There's also this small matter of the Wisconsin offense having played against and dominated all-american players like Whitney Mercilus, Devon Still, and Jerel Worthy. I don't see any Oregon defensive line players on those lists, do you?
Now, sure if I were on the Oregon defensive line I'd be sick of hearing about how big and strong the Badgers were too. The difference, I'd be keeping my mouth shut or taking the road that Isaac Remington did, he wasn't inflammatory and he was correct in what he had to say.
If there is one area of concern it could be pass protection. Wisconsin's offensive line has had issues protecting Russell Wilson against top level defenses. Hopefully a healthy Peter Konz back at Center will help things out in that respect, but only time will tell.
Plus, there's the matter of Russell Wilson being very mobile when trouble comes his way. Just look at the film from the Penn State game and you'll see him elude Devon Still with a determination I haven't seen from a QB in some time.
In the end, I'm alright with comments telling the world that you aren't a bad defense, but like I said in the beginning, there's a difference between confidence and hubris. With the evidence in front of us I'd say the Ducks defenders are acting on hubris at this point.
Keep poking an already mean bunch of guys in the Wisconsin offensive line and see what happens on January 2nd, 2012. I doubt you'll like the consequences much.
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