Danny Hope - Wisconsin Week

Q.  First off, you're playing a Wisconsin team that's had two heartbreaking losses on the road, still very formidable.  Talk about the problems they present. 
 COACH HOPE:  They're a great football team.  That's a tough place to play at.  They're still the same from a run standpoint where they can come out and get after you with the power run game, they have a great  offensive line that's dominant at times and loaded with good running backs.  That part of them hasn't changed offensively. 
 They now have a new weapon, a very good passing attack.  Their quarterback is one of the top efficiency-rated quarterbacks in the country, maybe number one.  He was right up there.  Average about 250 yards a game, over 200 yards a game from a passing game.  Very explosive offensively.  Even more so now with the threat of a very good passing game.   Defensively, much like in the past, very big and very strong, really physical.  Linebackers that tackle very well.  We think they're exceptional in the secondary also.  A very good football team.  I think they're top 10 in total offense on a national level and top 10 in total defense, somewhere near that, on a national level.  So they're a great football team.  

 Q.  When you play an offensive line as big as Wisconsin, how challenging is that, given their size, strength and experience?
 COACH HOPE:  Well, it's real tough.  They've wore down opponents over the years.  Last year we had some success against them.  Again, they have a way of wearing you down over a period of time.  

 Q.  You mentioned the running backs.  Montee Ball leads the nation in rushing touchdowns.  What problems does he present?
 COACH HOPE:  What's up in front of him presents the biggest problem.  They do a great job of run blocking, very physical up front.  They give him running room.  He's a great player.  But he has a great offensive line to go along with him. 

 Q.  From your standpoint, your offensive line, things didn't go as well as you would like at Michigan, what's the key to that?
 COACH HOPE:  Our offensive line?  I think team takeoff is really important.  We're playing in a packed house that's a very live atmosphere there.  A great place to go.  Really exciting place to go play a game at.  It is very loud.   We did well against Penn State from a team takeoff standpoint.  That was important for us in that game.  We didn't do near as well this past week at Michigan from a takeoff standpoint.  Playing in another loud environment, linemen getting out of their stances at the same time will be important for us.  

 Q.  We talk so much about their offense, but they're fourth in the country in pass defense.  That might be a product of who they played.  When you watch film on them, what makes them so hard to throw on?
 COACH HOPE:  Their secondary is very good.  Their corners are excellent.  No. 26 is an outstanding player.  They  have a very big, strong defensive front.  They're similar to Michigan in some ways, similar to Penn State where they're big across the defensive front, strong, quick, very good in the secondary.