Entering the season, we knew the Badgers would have a deep and experienced front 7 on defense. We didn't know how the back end would hold up. We also didn't know if Wilcox would call a game as well as Aranda.
I was at the ND-MSU game. Despite the Duke outcome, Notre Dame still has talented athletes across the roster. O'Connor was efficient and accurate. I'm sure given comfort in the pocket, he would've been the same against Wisconsin. Thankfully, the USC-fan assessment of Wilcox was off-base.
He didn't play "bend, don't break", he wasn't playing "not to lose". The defense attacked the LoS and kept the MSU offense out of rhythm. His pressure schemes were excellent.
And give Leonhard credit for shoring up the back end. Keeping MSU out of the end zone for 60 minutes was excellent.
Two other signs of a well-coached and talented defense: turnovers and penalties. They've been taking the ball away from the other team. They've also been playing mostly clean games, refusing to give up freebie yards.
I won't be like the national media, saying each week, "we'll know if they are for real next week". I'm sold on Wilcox.
I was at the ND-MSU game. Despite the Duke outcome, Notre Dame still has talented athletes across the roster. O'Connor was efficient and accurate. I'm sure given comfort in the pocket, he would've been the same against Wisconsin. Thankfully, the USC-fan assessment of Wilcox was off-base.
He didn't play "bend, don't break", he wasn't playing "not to lose". The defense attacked the LoS and kept the MSU offense out of rhythm. His pressure schemes were excellent.
And give Leonhard credit for shoring up the back end. Keeping MSU out of the end zone for 60 minutes was excellent.
Two other signs of a well-coached and talented defense: turnovers and penalties. They've been taking the ball away from the other team. They've also been playing mostly clean games, refusing to give up freebie yards.
I won't be like the national media, saying each week, "we'll know if they are for real next week". I'm sold on Wilcox.
