If we play mostly man D, I think we dominate them. But it appeared to me we somehow became more of a zone team Virginia game and on...how many times did opposition punt those final 3 games? So if the D can get opponent off the field, I think Rozier and O will have enough
Chances to get a rythem going and put good points up. To me that, turnovers, and having Spicer punt, are the keys to us winning
Playing UW man up is exactly what we want defenses to do against our O. That allows holes to be blown apart in the running game and takes the safeties out of position so that 10 yard gains become 65 yard TDs. That in turn allows the PA game to carve up the D, because in man to man UW is going to put pressure on your outside guys by running some jet sweep action combined with off tackle powers where we pull the C and backside G. That leaves the CB to make the play in the run game. Tough to stop the run effectively while maintaining man coverage.
The vast majority of Hornibrook's INTs have come against zone when he fails to read a defender dropping into his throwing lane. Plus zone helps keep Taylor in front of you. He had a lot of his long runs against stacked boxes selling out.
Frankly I don't get the ND references that I have seen on here. UW is a much better team than ND, who got blown out multiple times this season and they don't play all that similarly. ND has no passing game at all, ranking 103rd in passing efficancy and 117th in completion % (UW is 30th and 33rd) and plays ok D, 43rd overall (UW is
#1 ) but isn't exceptional in any category on that side of the ball, unlike UW who is top 15 in virtually every defensive stat. ND is all or nothing around their run game. Take it away and they have no other option, while UW is much more balanced on O. Besides being from the same general geographic area and a solid oline, I don't see any real similarities between the Irish and the Badgers.