As Borland Goes...So Go the Badgers

One of the biggest questions coming into this season was how the defense would play with a relatively inexperienced defensive line. Or a new combination at safety. Or how the linebacking corp would come together. If we learned anything in the UNLV game it is that how the defense preforms is all keyed off of Chris Borland.

Throughout most of the game the Badger defense was amazing. Only allowing the UNLV offense to rack up 12 yards of total offense in the first half. Not to mention that other than one play, the UNLV offense was completely on it's heals. While the entire defense looked good, there was one player that always seemed to be near the football...Chris Borland.

In the second half Borland left the game with a shoulder problem. The last thing that the Wisconsin defense needs is another hole at linebacker with Mike Taylor still recovering from knee surgery.

Late in the second half the Badger defense gave up one drive to the Running Rebels that resulted in a touchdown, but other than that it was an impressive performance. But there was that one thing that was missing. That one thing was Chris Borland.

Since last season it has been Borland that has been the spark plug of the defense, and it showed again in the season opener. While Borland was in the game on Saturday he recorded five tackles, three of them solo, and a sack. Not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, but that is not all that Borland does for the defense.

Borland is in on every play. Whether or not he makes the tackle, Borland is involved and near the football. By changing the play, and providing the spark for the defense, Borland is perhaps the most important player on the defense right now. While it is not known how the injured shouler will respond, and what his playing status is for the next game, there is one thing for sure...Chris Borland will find a way on the field. Even if that means place kicking.