Hernandez will be (relatively) younger, at 31, but his

MADISON, Wis. -- The lights dimmed in the corner room of Wisconsins second-floor indoor practice facility, with 14 attentive football players across three rows of chairs staring at an overhead projection screen. They carried with them snacks, bottled water, pens and blank sheets of paper -- plus the hopes of an entire campus, abuzz with anticipation five days before the Badgers biggest home game in years.In this meeting room, members of Wisconsins secondary convened for a pre-practice crash course on the complexities of Ohio States passing offense. The undefeated, second-ranked Buckeyes possess a Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback J.T. Barrett and enough wide receiver skill to fill an all-conference team. The task of stopping all that talent will fall on these cornerbacks and safeties.The task of preparing the group falls largely on the shoulders of Jim Leonhard, a three-time first-team all-Big Ten safety at Wisconsin who is in his first year as the Badgers defensive backs coach (and his first year as a coach at any level) and has become among the most crucial reasons for the impressive start on the back end. No. 8 Wisconsin has allowed only three passing touchdowns this season, which is tied for the best mark in the Big Ten. Every defensive back starter has recorded at least one interception.Ill honestly say hes been the key to bringing us to where we are now, said Badgers cornerback Sojourn Shelton, the teams only returning starter in the secondary. We know that we can be so much better. And we get that mentality from him. ... Hes the piece thats jelled us all together, as far as being confident in each other.Much of that confidence starts in this room, where no details are spared in preparation for each opponent. Leonhard allowed ESPN.com access this week to a 45-minute team meeting with his defensive backs as they game planned for Ohio State (8 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC). During that time, he cycled through his units defensive strategy by diagramming plays, issuing scouting reports on key offensive players and providing a lengthy video session breaking down the Buckeyes route concepts.He also managed to have a little fun.?Leonhard began the session by mentioning a quote written on the back whiteboard. It was the handiwork of Badgers cornerback Natrell Jamerson, who has been sidelined while recovering from a leg injury.I dont know if you know, but in the past, he used to teach a little Kung Fu, a little Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leonhard said as laughter filled the room. One of his students came up to him and said, You teach me fighting, but you talk about peace. How do you reconcile the two? Master Trell replied, It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.First of all, I dont like to talk about war and football. Two separate things. But I think the message is pretty good. And to me, its about preparation. Its preparing in times of peace. Its preparing when things are easy. For football, you take it as whether its walkthroughs, whether its meeting rooms, individuals, stuff like that. Are you working to get through it, or are you working to actually get better?Leonhard stood in the front, wearing a red Wisconsin crewneck shirt and gray Badgers sweatpants. He informed his players that Ohio States run and pass game are simple in concept but effective on the field. The Buckeyes rank third nationally in points per game (53.2). He encouraged players that if they lock in, they will have an opportunity to win.What followed was a masters level class in football terminology, as he ran through various defensive calls: Oscar, Charlie, Woody, Max, Sparrow, Match, Edge. He drew four Ohio State route concepts on the whiteboard and explained when Wisconsin should be in Cover 4 or Cover 3 defense.Leonhard focused on when his defensive backs should morph into a bandit, a hybrid linebacker/defensive back who moves out of his natural position to either blitz or fake blitz to confuse the offense. He discussed how defensive backs should react if a linebacker rushes the quarterback and when to line up as a quarterback spy.If they were to run option at you, you would throw the brakes on and make him take a little time, just buying time for the Mike [linebacker], Leonhard said. If you go smack the quarterback and have him pitch it, its just a foot race between him and the backer. You still have the quarterback. Nothings changed. Were just trying to buy one extra click for our linebacker to be able to push through.An explanation of Ohio State running a 7 or corner route, which requires the receiver to drive and then stem, or fake inside before making a break, led to a discussion with Shelton and safety DCota Dixon on how best to align and combat. Leonhard is not afraid to turn to the input of the Badgers veteran leaders for what theyre most comfortable with on the field.That Leonhard has been able to adapt so quickly as a coach is not a surprise. After the team meeting, he mentioned that he grew up in a family of coaches -- aunts, uncles, mom and dad -- who coached anything from basketball to baseball to volleyball. Coaching represents a natural next step in his career. He said he prided himself on being a mentor to younger players during the final years of his 10-year NFL career and described his brief tenure with the Badgers as a pretty seamless transition.He said college football offenses are generally less complex than those in the NFL and are therefore easier to prepare for. The biggest challenge, he noted, has been finding the best methods to connect with players.I try to be efficient and not overload guys, Leonhard said. Some guys cant handle it. If you try to give too much, sometimes that gets you in trouble. That has been my struggle -- just trying to figure out whats enough and whats too much because ultimately, you just want guys to play fast and go compete. Just because you can see it doesnt mean they can. Its that fine line.Players have taken to Leonhards instructions because of his ability to easily communicate intricate bits of information. His on-field accomplishments also command instant respect.I love the way he coaches, Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said. I think he gives them some things that are tangible that they can truly take. Hes not trying to impress them with his knowledge. Hes trying to figure out ways he can help them.Following the initial Xs and Os session, Leonhard moved on to Phase 2 of the team meeting: the scouting report. He began with Barrett, who has 15 touchdown passes and three interceptions. Barrett also ranks third on the team in rushing yards and has four touchdowns.Hes an athletic guy, Leonhard told his players. Weve got to make him pay when he runs the ball. I dont see him making a whole lot of guys miss. I think hes faster than he is shifty. So safeties, [if] we get a chance, hit it, man.Leonhard described Ohio State receiver Dontre Wilson and H-back Curtis Samuel?as big-time difference-makers and compared them to Percy Harvin in their ability to line up at running back or receiver. Leonhard is particularly concerned about Samuel, who ranks in the top eight in the Big Ten in rushing and receiving yards.You watch him, the thing that he gets guys on is if he kind of goes lazy in a route, dont believe it, Leonhard said. Hell stem you. Hes going to break hard as hell. Everything hes going to do, hes going to be patient at the top of routes. But if he starts just kind of bending into something, hes going opposite. Dont fall for the trap.Finally, Leonhard arrived at Ohio States other major receiving weapon. Noah Brown leads the Buckeyes with five touchdown catches, including four against Oklahoma.I have yet to see a guy play good technique in press on him, Leonhard said. He is very good. If he gets you a step behind, he is damn good at trapping the ball, going and attacking it, making plays over the top of corners. But I have yet to see a corner play it from a good position. So the way you play in press, he is not going to run past you. Same thing when you watch that on tape. He is never more than this far away from a guy. Havent seen it yet. So you can challenge him.Leonhard cued up his video cut-ups and spent the final 20 minutes holding a clicker and laser pointer to highlight Ohio States route concepts. There were introductions to each set of plays labeled in red: Sail, Spot 7, Curls/Hitches, Post: Dino, Pin, X, Screens: Swing/Bubble, Rail and Digs/Speedo. Leonhard spent the teams bye week after a 14-7 loss to Michigan compiling clips he wanted to display. They came from games this season against Bowling Green, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Indiana, as well as last years Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame.He showed examples of receivers James Clark and Terry McLaurin being used in screen scenarios. He explained how receiver Parris Campbell is patient at the top of his routes. He used footage of Brown to reiterate his point and boost confidence in his defensive backs.Watch the deep curl, Leonhard said. Watch 80 [Brown]. I dont know. I dont think hes threatening your speed, right? Trust who you are. Know who he is. I dont think hes going to run past you.He pointed out a particular offensive alignment that featured Ohio State repeatedly running slant routes into the boundary side of the field. One receiver springs free for a touchdown. Finally, Leonhard showed Ohio State running a speedo route, in which only two receivers go out with an eight-man protection.This is when theyre good, Leonhard said. They get you here, they win consistently.Leonhard flicked the lights on and reminded his players that they can watch all the routes on their team-issued iPads. He warned them about Ohio States tempo before closing with a final message.You just have to communicate, which youve done a really good job of, he said. Is that nearly as hard as Michigan last week? Michigan was something new every single snap. These guys are almost the complete opposite. Youll watch the game and be like, Damn, they did exactly what we saw. Well just have to see early recognizing the formations that theyre going to be in, then well motion. ...Well do a great job of it because weve done it all year long. The biggest thing is to be ready. Build up to this game. Coming out of a bye week, youve got to bring the energy from snap one. Freakin night game at Camp Randall, that should be pretty easy. Theyll be locked in. Well be locked in. Lets go compete. Get after them, man.The players stood to leave, ready for practice a floor below and more prepared than ever for the challenge of stopping Ohio State. Tyler Miller USA Jersey Sacha Kljestan USA Jersey .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flooded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. http://www.soccerusateamonline.com/Bill-Hamid-America-Jersey/ . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night. Jesse Gonzalez Jersey . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Sacha Kljestan Jersey . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Seattle MarinersOverall: 78 Title track: 115 Ownership: 85 Coaching: 88 Players: 95 Fan relations: 73 Affordability: 86 Stadium experience: 14 Bang for the buck: 65 Change from last year: +26Another year, another October without a postseason for Mariners fans. But at least 2016, under new general manager Jerry Dipoto and new manager Scott Servais, provided a winning season with real playoff possibility into the final weekend. Of course, it looks like the fans who bumped the Mariners up 26 spots in the standings this year have short memories: The past three times Seattle just missed the postseason, it completely collapsed the next year.Whats goodSafeco Field is still one of the best parks in the game (14th in stadium experience), with Lookout Landing in particular providing some of the most picturesque views in the game. While Seattles promotional schedule is great -- this year included a beard hat, BBQ tongs and a moose bank -- the best souvenirs at Safeco come from the likes of Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano (the roster combined for 223 home runs this season, third in MLB). This year, hitting coach and beloved former Mariner Edgar Martinez provided a boost to the offense and helped the Mariners go from an average of fewer than 3.4 runs per game when he took over midway through 2015 to nearly five runs per game this year.Whats badThe Mariners have the dubious honor of holding MLBs longest active postseason drought, currently at 15 seeasons (which explains that title track ranking of 115th, second-worst in MLB).dddddddddddd Although they came close to ending that frustrating streak this year, the challenge might not get any easier as their best players age. Cano and Cruz had great seasons in 2016, but they turn 34 and 36 years old, respectively, next season. Ace Felix Hernandez will be (relatively) younger, at 31, but his pitching has been in decline. Hernandez is still one of the best in the game, but having spent his entire career in Seattle, he has never been to the postseason. To end that drought -- and help improve a 95th-place ranking for the roster -- the King and his Court need to be in top form in 2017.Whats newA 20-point jump in ownership might seem odd since Nintendo, which bought the Mariners in 1992 and likely saved them from leaving the city, actually sold its majority ownership this summer. The buyers? Seventeen local owners, making them the first ownership group since 1981 that actually lives in Seattle. Thats important. While Nintendo did good things for the Mariners (such as signing team legend Ichiro Suzuki), the new local owners will care much more about winning -- because they will want to avoid taking considerable heat for losing. New CEO John Stanton, who recalls crying when the Seattle Pilots left in 1970, will be far superior to former CEO Howard Lincoln.Next: Cincinnati Reds?| Full rankings ' ' '