An
intimidating defense, similar to a terrorizing motorcycle gang, usually
follows a forceful leader. The Wisconsin defense is Erasmus James'
gang.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 265-pound end led an assault on Big Ten
quarterbacks, and he takes aim at Georgia's David Greene in today's
Outback Bowl.
The Bulldogs are 7-point favorites over the Badgers, who lost some of
their swagger in two season-ending blowouts. But Northcoast Sports
handicapper Phil Steele expects Wisconsin to hang tough in a
low-scoring game.
Steele said the key is the Badgers' three NFL-caliber defensive linemen
-- seniors James, Anttaj Hawthorne and Jonathan Welsh -- are healthy
after late-season injuries.
"They put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and they can do
that to Greene," Steele said. "The only big edge Georgia has is at the
QB spot."
Greene has passed for 2,244 yards with 18 touchdowns and just two
interceptions. The senior has started every game since 2001 and
directed the Bulldogs to a 41-10 record, including 9-2 this season.
Georgia has its own star defensive end in David Pollack, whose
challenge will be to help slow down Badgers running back Anthony Davis.
Despite missing four games, Davis rushed for 894 yards and 11
touchdowns.
In Wisconsin's losses to Michigan State (49-14) and Iowa (30-7), Davis was hobbled and wasn't a factor.
"When Davis is healthy, they can do something. When he's not healthy, they struggle," Steele said.
Wisconsin got off to a 9-0 start and its defense was allowing only 9 points per game before falling apart in November.
Steele emphasized that Badgers coach Barry Alvarez is 7-2 straight up in bowls.
"I think Wisconsin has a little more motivation," Steele said. "Georgia has been kind of an underachieving team."
Steele (ncsports.com) offers his pick for today's Fiesta Bowl:
• Pittsburgh (+16 1/2) over Utah:
The Panthers played better down the stretch, winning their last three
games. Quarterback Tyler Palko played especially well and I think he
will be able to trade points with the Utes and QB Alex Smith.
Basically, this is a Pittsburgh team that everybody says doesn't belong
in a Bowl Championship Series game, and I don't believe they do,
either. But they will be motivated for this matchup, even with coach
Walt Harris about to leave for Stanford.
It could be tough for the Utes to really focus and take this game
seriously. Urban Meyer will coach the game, but he is leaving for
Florida. Offensive coordinator Mike Sanford is already at UNLV, and I
think the Sanford thing is important because they lose the continuity
of having him coordinate the game plan.
