FOUR THINGS TO WATCH
Own the line of scrimmage: UW’s proud offensive line lost the battle in the trenches in the Big Ten title game against Ohio State and the results were predictable. UW recorded a season-low 60 rushing yards on 32 attempts, with tailback Jonathan Taylor limited to 15 carries for a season-low 41 yards; quarterback Alex Hornibrook attempted a season-high 40 passes; and the offense didn’t make enough plays to help UW to win a title and secure a playoff berth. If the Badgers can’t establish a consistent running game against Miami, they’ll likely find themselves struggling to move the ball as they did against the Buckeyes. Keep the turnover chain in storage: Miami has recorded 30 takeaways this season – 17 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries. The Hurricanes have forced 22 of those turnovers – 13 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries – in the last seven games. The player responsible for a turnover is given the team’s “turnover chain” on the sideline after making the play. Sixteen players have donned the chain this season. Miami’s No. 1 target likely will be Hornibrook, who has 15 interceptions this season. “The chain just excited us,” said junior safety Jaquan Johnson, who has a team-high four interceptions. “It made everybody happy when it came out. It’s sort of like a party on the sideline as soon as the chain comes out. It gets the team going, gets the fire going.” Limit Miami’s big hits: UW’s defense entered the Big Ten title game having allowed only 32 plays of 20 yards or more in 12 games. That was an average of 2.7 big plays per game, with the average gain 31.0 yards. Ohio State recorded four big plays in the Big Ten title game, including three in the first half, for an average of 67.8 yards per play. Miami enters the Orange Bowl with 67 plays of 20 yards or more, 47 passes and 20 runs. “We have a very competitive group,” UW defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said. “They have high standards for the way that they want to play, and that’s a great problem to have. Obviously, we’re coming off a performance that you wouldn’t call your best. Guys just can’t wait to get on the field. Our guys have been locked in and I’ve liked the approach this week.” Contain Malik Rosier: Miami quarterback Malik Rosier is a streaky passer, illustrated by his completion rate of 54.8%. However, he averages 243.1 passing yards per game, has 25 touchdown passes and has rushed for five touchdowns. UW’s front seven must keep him in the pocket and bring him down whether he is looking to pass or tries to scramble. “Well, obviously having a dual-threat quarterback is challenging because you have to account for him in the run game,” senior outside linebacker Garret Dooley said. “And that’s just another person that you have to make sure that you have your eyes on. As defenders, we have to make sure that we know our jobs and have our keys. “If you’re rushing the passer, you have to be aware that he can escape and he can take off for 15, 20 yards, so that’s just kind of something where we have to try to keep him in the pocket and not let him get loose.”