<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1bsRHu_0wNbxlkd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1bsRHu_0wNbxlkd00" width="1210" height="806" ></figure>The Wisconsin Badgers have enjoyed some major success recently, outscoring opponents 117-16 in their last three games en route to a 5-2 record heading into a crucial weekend here in Week 9.Offensively, the team has found a way to generate explosives, both on the ground and in the air, leading to multiple 40+ point performances.Defensively, Wisconsin has allowed just one touchdown in the last three games, as the unit has effectively shut down both the pass and the run during the recent win streak.The Badgers have completely shifted from their early-season outlook, where the year was trending down after a 2-2 start, as they’ve now seemingly started to find their identity on both sides of the ball.Looking specifically at the defensive side of the ball, Wisconsin has really managed the line of scrimmage well, with their front seven playing much better as of late, closing off run lanes, both on stretch runs and between the tackles. That has allowed the team to consistently get off the field on third downs, complementing the offense well.What has been the biggest change for Wisconsin during the three-game win streak?“I feel that [the defense has been playing faster],” linebacker Jake Chaney said this week. “I think the defense has gotten a lot simpler. The defense is like, you know, we game plan. I don’t think there’s much thinking or there’s things that we already do on the defense or on the game plan of this week. And, you know, I think overall that’s been a great thing for our defense. Not having to switch personnel is a lot, not have to sub ins about a lot and, you know, it’s been a success for us and I think we’re only growing from there.”“The simplification of the defense, letting us go out there and play our brand of football, you know, that stuff [has really helped us improve]. “The communication comes natural when you’re doing that type of stuff, but when you’re starting to think out there, that’s when the communication gets a little blurry or funky.”That simplification has been a change from defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, who has looked to put his players in the best position to succeed and play fast, which the team didn't do enough of at the beginning of the year.Tressel has been forced to make changes midseason in each of his first two years at Wisconsin. Last year, after initially bringing over his 3-2-6 look from Cincinnati, Tressel switched up the primary looks to better suit his personnel, which resulted in better defensive efforts. This year, to get the team going, he’s simplified the defense, giving players a better opportunity to perform on Saturdays.“I think he relays the message of the winning habits, you know, kind of swallowing down what he wants to do,” Chaney said of Tressel. “[Him and] Coach Fickell swallowing down everything they want to do and going out there and letting us play fast and play the game the right way. And I think that’s been a big success for our defense, too.”The defense gets a major challenge this weekend when Penn State comes to town, which will be big for the program as they look to upset a top-five team at home.If the Badgers can continue to look strong here, they could very well push to be ranked next week and end the year on a run, but it comes down to playing fast and settling in against a tough opponent first here at Camp Randall Stadium.</div></body>

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Player reveals key reason behind Badgers defensive turnaround during three-game win streak

The Wisconsin Badgers have enjoyed some major success recently, outscoring opponents 117-16 in their last three games en route to a 5-2 record heading into a crucial weekend here in Week 9. Offensively, the team has found a way to generate explosives, both on the ground and in the air,...