2017 Orange Bowl Preview: Why The Wisconsin Badgers Will Win

MIAMI GARDENS, FL — The 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl features two teams that had larger post-season aspirations, only to go down in defeat in their respective conference championship games.

The Wisconsin Badgers, 12-1, lost to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game 27-21 in which quarterback JT Barrett threw two touchdown passes, ran for another and made big plays late in the game to cement the win.

The Miami Hurricanes, on the other hand, were obliterated the Hurricanes in the ACC Championship 38-3, as star lineman Christian Wilkins and the Tiger's star-studded defensive unit pressured and harassed Miami quarterback Malik Rosier while shutting down the Hurricane's rushing attack.

2017 Capital One Orange Bowl

• Matchup: No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 10 Miami
• Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
• Location: Miami Gardens, FL
• Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017
• 7 pm (CDT) / ESPN

Patch.com 3 Big Matchups

Wisconsin Editor Scott Anderson profiles 3 critical matchups and why Wisconsin will win 'em.

Wisconsin's Offensive Line vs. Miami's Defensive Line

Why Wisconsin Wins This Matchup:
Miami's defensive front features tackle RJ McIntosh, end Trent Harris, tackle Kendrick Norton, linebacker Shaquille Quarterman and linebacker Michael Pinckney. While this unit is ranked number one in college football with a plus-17 turnover margin and number one in sacks with 3.6 per game, they will have their hands full with Wisconsin's offensive line.
Wisconsin Left Tackle Michael Deiter 6-foot-6, 328 pounds, Left Guard Jon Dietzen 6-foot-6, 336 pounds, Center Tyler Biadasz 6-foot-3, 316 pounds, Right Guard Beau Benzschawel 6-foot-6, 317 pounds and Right Tackle David Edwards 6-foot-7, 315 pounds form one of the largest offensive lines Miami will face this season.
Wisconsin has always had a run-first offense and this group of road-graders clear lanes with gusto, resulting in an average of 243.3 rushing yards per game, the 18th-most in the country. We expect this group to push and shove its way to even more rushing yards against Miami in a physical matchup.

Miami's Secondary vs. Wisconsin's Alex Hornibrook

Why Wisconsin Wins This Matchup
Ok, so we know that Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook leads the Big 10 with 13 interceptions, but he has also threw 18 touchdown passes in a passing game that the team really doesn't rely upon when compared with their running game.
Hornibrook is the epitome of the old-school pocket passer. He can fit a throw into a tight window and has good accuracy - when he needs to - but is an absolute dead duck when he has to scramble.
Miami safety Jaquan Johnson, a 5-foot-11 junior safety is one of just four defensive players named as finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, is one of the nation's best, and is considered the heart and soul of the Hurricane secondary.
Fortunately, Wisconsin has a stellar offensive line and a creative ground game to balance the offense. While we know the passing attack can be challenged with the loss of top receiver Quintez Cephus to an injury, Tight End Troy Fumagalli is Hornibrook's security blanket. Receivers A.J. Taylor and Danny Davis have stepped up, and have collected 6 touchdowns this season.

Miami's Malik Rosier, Ground Game vs. Wisconsin's Defense

Why Wisconsin Wins This Matchup
In the Big Ten Championship Game, Ohio State's J.T. Barrett bedeviled the Badger defense by using his mobility to buy time and make big play after big play on third down.
There is going to be a lot of pressure on Rosier to assume more responsibility on offense after senior tight end standout Christopher Herndon was lost to a season-ending knee injury and top receiver Ahmmon Richards was lost to a season-ending knee injury. Rosier has gained 427 yards on the ground this year on 122 carries — second on the team to running back Travis Homer, who could go over 1,000 yards on the season with a good game versus the Badgers.
Just how dominant was the Wisconsin Badger defense this season? They had 12 players on the all Big-Ten honors this season. Inside linebacker T.J. Edwards makes play after play in the backfield and in space. He led the team with four interceptions this season and was second on the team with 11 tackles for loss.
Wisconsin's dynamic cornerback duo of Derrick Tindal and Nick Nelson will be tested. But Nelson, who leads the Big 10 with 18 pass breakups and Tindal, who has 2 interceptions, match up athletically with anyone they're lined up against. Nelson was a consensus first-team All Big-10 selection, while safety D'Cota Dixon earned first-team honors from the coaches but made the media's third team. Tindal was selected to the third-team selection from the coaches.

Conclusion

Scott from Wisconsin: Wisconsin's defense suffocates Miami's running game and keeps mobile quarterback Malik Rosier stifled on the ground as the Hurricanes' offensive struggles continue. On offense, the Badgers do just enough in the air to keep the ground game moving the chains. This game is decided in the early fourth quarter, but Miami makes it close to look respectable. Wisconsin wins 34-23.

Image Credit: A Wisconsin football helmet is shown before a news conference, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 in Hollywood, Fla. Wisconsin will play Miami Dec. 30 in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)