Gameday Analysis

What follows are my five keys to a UW bowl victory against Arkansas, a formidable opponent who should test Bielema's Badgers for 4 quarters.

1. As I mentioned in my earlier post on the Wildcat formation, UW must assign a LB as McFadden's stalker, particularly when he lines up at QB in a triple threat position. Casillas gets the nod here. McFadden will get his yards, but the home run is what we must prevent, and #2 and his blond mohawk are up to the task.

2. Eat clock on offense. This means methodically moving the chains with PJ Hill and the running game, with key third down completions to Luke Swann and Travis Beckum by seasoned senior John Stocco. McFadden isn't dangerous on the sideline.

3. Turnovers. Florida won this battle on 12/2 and is playing for a national championship. The margin of victory in the SEC championship is attributed to points off turnovers. Arkansas has too much firepower on offense to surrender points for charity.

4. Kicking game, particularly the kickoff squad. Jones and McFadden return kickoffs, so Melhoff needs to boot the ball deep for touchbacks, keeping it out of their hands entirely. Debauche needs to win the field position battle, making the Razorbacks work a long field. Given Arkansas' proven big play potential this provides more margin for error.

5. Pass defense. Arkansas isn't much of a threat here. (see UW of seasons past) If Ike, Langford and the safeties shut this down early, Arkansas will continue to hand the balll off to its best two players, allowing the safeties to walk up and for UW to stack the box.

Prediction: UW struggles early as McFadden and Jones bust a few long runs, but controls the time of possession, doesn't turn the ball over, and stiffens up on defense with halftime adjustments. They forge ahead late in the 3rd quarter with a Luke Swann acrobatic catch in the corner of the endzone, and close the deal with a PJ Hill dive midway through the 4th.

UW 31, Arkansas 21.