Badgers' defense still stout despite departures

IOWA CITY — Much of Wisconsin's defensive personnel has changed, from superstar linebacker Joe Schobert's graduation to defensive coordinator Dave Aranda's departure.

But the Badgers' 3-4 defense with varied fronts and relentless pressure will stay, and that's a major concern for their 2016 opponents. Wisconsin led the nation in scoring defense at 13.7 points per game and allowed just 43 total points (only four touchdowns) in seven games at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers were fourth nationally against the run (95.4 yards per game), seventh against the pass (173.2 yards per game) and second in total defense (268.5 yards per game).

The Badgers were even more tenacious inside their 20-yard line. They allowed the fewest red-zone trips (25) and TDs (11) in the Big Ten. Wisconsin ranked No. 1 in fewest red-zone scoring plays with 19.

But Aranda's absence could impact the defense. In an off-season coaching Merry-Go-Round, Aranda bolted in January for LSU, which the Badgers coincidentally face on Sept. 3 in Green Bay. Aranda's replacement, Justin Wilcox, coordinated USC's defense the last two seasons. That includes last December's Holiday Bowl meeting with the Badgers.

However the impact has been minimal this spring, senior linebacker Vince Biegel said.

'From the outside looking in, you guys are going to see a lot of the same defense,' said Biegel, a third-team all-Big Ten selection last year. 'The scheme of the defense is the same. We're still going to remain a 3-4 defense. I think same scheme, same structure but different verbiage. A lot of the same calls but different verbiage. It's also Coach Cox (Wilcox) bringing in his own style of flavor.

'Obviously Dave Aranda going to LSU, we're going to keep some of what we did good last year but also incorporating Coach Cox's defense and also tailoring toward our players and what we do well as a defense. That's what the goal of the spring was, getting comfortable with him and him getting comfortable with us.'

The Badgers return six starters from last year's defense. Along with Biegel, Wisconsin's inside linebacking duo of T.J. Edwards and Chris Orr returns. Replacing Schobert on the outside is T.J. Watt, brother of former Badgers defensive end and perennial NFL All-Pro J.J. Watt.

Schobert was a force last year with 19.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. Biegel, who had eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss, and Schobert boasted the most sacks of any linebacking duo last year. In a 10-6 loss against Iowa, Schobert had 3.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Biegel recorded a team-best nine tackles that day.

'It definitely presents something different,' Iowa tackle Ike Boettger said about Wisconsin's defense. 'Those guys on the edge are what we'd probably call a LEO, what Bo Bower and Ben Niemann play. They've got three of those guys and last year they were rotating through and all of them were good players.

'Now we've played against them once, it's a little bit easier for the guys who have played to know what to expect. But I'd say it's a whole different animal than playing a regular 4-3.'

Watt, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 243 pounds, sat out two seasons — one because of injury — before seeing action in all 13 games last year. Watt posted 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries and three pass breakups.

If Watt flashes like either Schobert or his oldest brother, the Badgers' defense will remain destructive.

'Joe was a phenomenal part of our defense and huge reason to our success last football season,' Biegel said. 'He's definitely going to be missed. But a guy who's proven himself this spring is T.J. Watt. Just a phenomenal player. Obviously he's known for his brother, J.J., but T.J. is own person. He brings a lot to the game.'

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