The Wisconsin Badgers open their 2025 football season at home against the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks on Thursday night.
The Wisconsin Badgers open their 2025 football season at home against the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks on Thursday night.
While the nonconference matchup appears to be one of the easier ones on Wisconsin's schedule, Miami (Ohio) is the projected best team in the MAC entering the year, according to ESPN's Football Power Index. The program has made bowl games in five consecutive non-COVID seasons, highlighted by 20 combined wins over the last two years and back-to-back trips to the MAC title game.
Wisconsin somewhat struggled against MAC teams to open both the 2023 and 2024 campaigns. That poor form forecasted upcoming struggles as conference play began. A decisive win over Miami (Ohio), a strong Group of Five opponent, would have the opposite effect. It would positively impact the team's outlook against what is considered the nation's top-ranked 2025 schedule.
The result of the contest will inevitably be compared to those two recent openers, for better or for worse.
With kickoff between the new-look Badgers and visiting RedHawks fast approaching, here are Wisconsin's biggest keys to a decisive victory.
Let Dilin Jones and the offensive line control the game
Wisconsin's first key to a decisive victory is simple. Jeff Grimes' new-look offense needs to control the game on the ground and lean into its clear strength -- its running back room. The team could still win without a dominant showing on the ground. But when we project forward, especially to the Big Ten schedule, run-game dominance will be required.
Jones, Darrion Dupree and Cade Yacamelli should all receive double-digit touches during the contest. They should also drive the team's red-zone and short-yardage offense.
Display its revamped pass-rush and defensive front seven
Wisconsin was among the worst in the country last season at pressuring the opposing quarterback. Transfer starters Mason Reiger (Louisville), Parker Petersen (Tulane), Jay'viar Suggs (LSU) and Corey Walker (Western Michigan) are tasked with reversing that reality.
Miami (Ohio) quarterback Dequan Finn is good with his legs, which may make sacks hard to come by. Wisconsin's defensive front will still need to control the game and disrupt the RedHawks' offense. If it does, the team's long-term outlook would change for the better.
Start fast and finish drives
Wisconsin did exactly what large home favorites must avoid in its 2024 opener against Western Michigan. It missed a field goal on its opening drive, attempted another before halftime, then was forced into another to open the third quarter. Those non-touchdown drives keep the underdog in the game, especially when a team has a shaky kicking game, which the Badgers had last season.
Wisconsin's kicking game is again one of the team's biggest questions entering 2025. Nathanial Vakos reportedly held onto the starting role, though he may have a short string after making just 63.2% of his kicks a season ago.
The Badgers must keep Vakos and the kicking unit off the field if it is to eliminate any chance of a Miami (Ohio) upset.
Finally, contain Miami (Ohio) quarterback Dequan Finn's legs
Finn played in just two games at Baylor in 2024 before entering the portal in mid-September. His struggles in that limited action shouldn't cloud the talent he displayed as Toledo's starter from 2021-23. In 38 starts over those three seasons, Finn completed more than 60% of his passes with a 63-23 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The veteran signal-caller was also a threat with his legs throughout that time, totaling 1,700 rushing yards and 25 rushing scores.
The seventh-year quarterback presents a legitimate threat to a Wisconsin defense that is still searching for an identity, now entering year three under Luke Fickell and Mike Tressel. Limiting Finn's rushing production will be key to the unit delivering a decisive opening performance.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football vs Miami (Ohio) game preview keys to victory
Category: General Sports
