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Tough Task Ahead - Wisconsin Outside LBs; Watt & Biegel

+14 HS
Buckeye_Wizard's picture
September 26, 2016 at 1:11pm
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A number of you seem to enjoy the quick film study of an upcoming opponent.  Thought I would introduce you to a few defensive players on the Wisconsin Badgers you may not know.  There are going to be some interesting battles going on when the Buckeyes play the Badgers…especially when Wisconsin’s two outside linebackers, TJ Watt and Vince Biegel, attack the offense.

TJ Watt (#42), according to 247Sports, was a 2013 three-star high school prospect from Pewaukee, WI.  You may recall he is the younger brother of JJ Watt (the famous NFL player) and Derek Watt.  I believe we all know about JJ Watt.  Last April, Derek Watt was drafted in the sixth round by the Chargers and is currently a rookie FB on the 53-man active roster.  TJ also had scholarship offers from Minnesota, Northwestern and Northern Illinois. 

Vince Biegel (#47), according to 247Sports, was a highly recruited 2012 four-star high school prospect from Wisconsin Rapids, WI.  The former U.S. Army All-American had numerous other offers from major programs such as Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford and Tennessee.  He committed to the Badgers in April of 2011. 

The Badgers run a 3-4 scheme on defense.  If you are unfamiliar with the scheme, the name means the Badgers generally align with three defensive linemen and four linebackers, two inside LBs and two outside LBs on each play.  Watt and Biegel are the starting outside linebackers for the Badgers.  Watt usually aligns to the TE side while Biegel aligns on the opposite side.  Both players are primary run defenders, pass rushers and each player drops in coverage.  Here is a quick look where they will align on most plays.

Watt is quickly filling in the big shoes left by his older brothers at Wisconsin.  He was recently named the Walter Camp Player of the Week for his play against Michigan State.  Watt recorded 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.  He also had a pair of quarterback hurries and broke up a pass against the Spartans. 

Here he is defending an off-tackle run against Michigan State.  It is 3rd and short for the Spartans and they would like nothing more than to get a first down via a power running play.  Notice how Watt squeezes down on the snap by replacing the TE.  This move leaves no room for the pulling right guard to block the inside LB.  Watt takes on the block of the MSU fullback, spins and makes the initial contact on the running back.  Watt does a number of things very, very well on this play.  It is an outstanding play and he has almost single handedly forced Michigan State to punt the ball.

On the other side of the ball, Vince Biegel has many of the same responsibilities as TJ Watt.  He will align on the line of scrimmage and he will align on inside slot receivers.  Not surpisingly, Biegel and Watt are almost mirror images of one another physically.  Biegel is listed as 6’4” and 245lbs. while Watt is listed as 6’5” and 243lbs. 

Below is a clip of Biegel coming on a blitz from the offensive right side.  One of the benefits of the 3-4 alignment is the offense doesn’t know for certain which defensive player is rushing and which player is dropping in coverage.  Ohio State uses this same alignment in passing situations for the same reason (see Baker’s INT versus Oklahoma.)  In this particular clip, Biegel and an inside LB both come from the same side.  Michigan State running back LJ Scott tries to cut block Biegel, unsuccessfully.  Both defenders get to the QB and disrupt the throw.  You can see the result of the play for yourself.

In the final clip, you can see how Wisconsin likes to use the two LBs in pass rush schemes.  TJ Watt comes from the center of the defensive formation and begins his rush over the offensive right guard.  Meanwhile, Biegel is aligned over the offensive right tackle and begins his rush from there.  During the play, there is a stunt where the two defenders cross during their pass rush.  Had Watt maintained his rush lane and kept contain, the result of the play would probably have been a sack.  Instead, the QB breaks contain and eventually scrambles for a first down.  However, you can still see the athleticism of both players.

It is my opinion that Ohio State’s running backs and TE’s will have their hands full during the Wisconsin game.  By alignment, the Wisconsin defense will be able to dictate who will be required to block Biegel and Watt on running plays and, more importantly, on passing plays.  It is my opinion that Wisconsin will want to test the blocking skills of the Buckeyes’ running backs and TEs.  The individual battles between Ohio State’s Baugh, Alexander, Weber and Samuel versus Biegel and Watt will have a big impact on the game.  Can’t wait to watch.

This is a forum post from a site member. It does not represent the views of Eleven Warriors unless otherwise noted.

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