Wisconsin Football: 3 takeaways from Orange Bowl win over Miami

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers fumbles during the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2. Wisconsin defense gets Turnover Chain in the Orange Bowl

If you don’t know about the turnover chain, you haven’t been watching college football. The Miami defense has thrived on and lived by turnovers. They started out 10-0, pushing themselves up the rankings as a result of strong defense and seemingly never ending turnovers.

However, outside of the one fumble they forced in the first drive of the game, they didn’t get a single interception the day. That fumble was questionable at best, but it happened. With that turnover, Miami was able to start fast and open up a 14-3 lead in the first quarter. But Wisconsin didn’t panic. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook threw four touchdowns and not a single interception. He didn’t fall into the trap of Miami’s defense and as a result they are leaving with the Bowl of Oranges.

Meanwhile, the Wisconsin defense forced three interceptions including the game winner by Ryan Connelly. If the turnover chain could switch teams, it would go to the Badgers as they made the plays that were necessary to win the game. They forced the turnovers, made the stops, and showed the fight that they needed to win it. This Wisconsin defense showed that while offense is important, defense is what wins a game.

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