5 questions for the 2019 Badgers

The Badgers converted to a 3-4 defense in 2013 and since then have had at least 25 sacks each season – except for last year, when they recorded only 19. Outside linebackers have been the beneficiary in this scheme (think Vince Biegel, Derek Landisch, Joe Schobert and T.J. Watt, for example), but in 2018 UW had trouble getting the quarterback. Andrew Van Ginkel had 5.5 sacks and no one else had more than three. Of the seven players who recorded a sack last year, only three return. Zack Baun, who led that trio with 2.5 sacks, is one to keep an eye on. Redshirt sophomore Izayah Green-May will be the other starting outside linebacker. While having a lot of potential, he had only one tackle in six games last season. There’s not much experience at OLB beyond Baun, so someone needs to step up, Maybe it will be a defensive end, but only one (Alec James) has recorded more than four sacks since UW went to a 3-4. A good pass rush, forcing a QB to make a quicker decision, can only help a team which has a young secondary (all four starters are freshmen and sophomores).

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