Auburn Outback Bowl Preview: Wisconsin Badgers Defense and Special Teams

Wisconsin Badgers Linebackers

Easily the strongest unit on the Wisconsin defense is the linebacker corps. Wisconsin has arguably the best quartet of linebackers in the Big Ten, which should give the Auburn rushing attack a tough test.

Senior inside linebackers Derek Landisch and Marcus Trotter, as well as outside linebackers Vince Biegel and Joe Schobert were all recognized by the media and coaches as All-Big Ten performers, though not as high as some would like.

Auburn vs. Texas A&M Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4

Betsided

2023 Week 4 AP Poll Top 25: Every SEC team’s highest, lowest spot on ballot South Bound & Down

SEC Football: Florida, LSU rise in Week 4 2023 power rankings South Bound & Down

SEC Tailgating: Where should you go in each town? South Bound & Down

SEC football standings based on yards per play through Week 2 FanSided

Auburn Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24 season Busting Brackets

“I feel like this defense hasn’t been getting credit all year,” Biegel said prior to the Big Ten Championship Game. “It’s always been challenged. It’s, ‘We’ve gone against weak offensive components.’ I feel like they’ve had a lot of excuses for us, and yet again, I don’t think guys got the recognition. Especially with Marcus Trotter.

“I think he could have gotten a lot higher than honorable mention, and the same with Joe Schobert and many others. I’m going to let all the off-the-field things take care of itself. And we’re going to go out there and play great Wisconsin defense.”

Landisch ranks third on the team with 77 total tackles and leads the Badgers with 16 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He also has an interception. He was a first teamer according to the media, and will be playing in his 52^nd career game, more than all but offensive lineman Rob Havenstein. Like Havenstein, Landisch is a team captain.

Trotter is the Badgers’ second leading tackler with 85 total. He has 11 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and an interception this season. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten status this season.

Sophomore outside linebacker Vince Biegel was a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and an honorable mention by the league’s coaches. He earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors for his three-sack, four-TFL performance against Purdue November 8. So far this season, Biegel has 15.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks, both of which rank second on the squad.

Junior Joe Schobert earned honorable mention All-Big Ten status, as well, giving all four starters representation. He has 63 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, three sacks and leads the Badgers with seven pass breakups. Schobert also has two forced fumbles and a rumble recovery.

Next: Wisconsin Defensive Backs