Breaking Down The Badgers: Defensive Line

So how does the Badgers' defensive line stack up? The one thing that is evident is that the Badger defensive line has experience as opposed to the Nole offensive line it will face in the Champs Sports Bowl. Before the season began, there were high expectations due to the fact that several guys were in their third year as starters.

Defensive tackles Jason Chapman and Mike Newkirk and defensive end Matt Shaughnessy are all seniors with left end Brent Schofield being a junior.

The Badgers in 2008 played the 4-3 defense they've utilized for years, but injuries have limited their defensive-line depth. If FSU faces a Badger defense that plays like it did against Penn State (when the Badgers allowed 48 points) or against Cal Poly (when Wisconsin gave up 35 points), the Noles will exit the Champs Sports bowl with a smile on their face.

The team sack leader for the Badgers is defensive end O'Brien Schofield with 5 sacks. Schofield also is second on the team in tackles for a loss with 7 1/2. Defensive end Matt Shaughnessy and right tackle Mike Newkirk both have 4 sacks.

In addition, Newkirk leads the team in tackles for a loss with 8. Newkirk had two sacks in , including a safety in UW's 35-32 victory over Minnesota this year. Left tackle Jason Chapman also has 2 sacks and 5 tackles for a loss.

Wisconsin's defense has allowed its opponents to convert on 38 percent of third downs this season which ranked them near the bottom at #8 in the conference. The Badgers were also next to last in the conference in sacks and were last in tackles for a loss.

Wisconsin defensive line depth chart:

Left End
50 O’Brien Schofield, 6-3, 232, Jr.
45 Dan Moore, 6-2, 280, Jr.

Left Tackle
91 Jason Chapman, 6-4, 285, Sr.
95 Patrick Butrym, 6-4, 264, Fr.

Right Tackle
54 Mike Newkirk, 6-3, 264, Sr.
79 Jeff Stehle, 6-6, 290, Jr.

Right End
92 Matt Shaughnessy, 6-6, 253, Sr.
93 Louis Nzegwu, 6-3, 228, Fr.