It’s been a roller coaster of a season for the Wisconsin Badgers. They opened the season with high expectations, ranked just outside the top ten, and had quarterback, Graham Mertz, whom fans expected to take the next step. Instead, things started out very badly; Wisconsin began the year 1-3 and was blown out in two of those games. Turnover problems, offensive line struggles, penalties, and poor play from Mertz contributed to the slow start. While all the losses came against ranked opponents it still wasn’t a good look for a team with big aspirations. Wisconsin seemed headed for their worst season in a long time, and people already counted the Badgers out of the Big Ten West race. Fortunately, someone forgot to tell the Badgers that.
Since being blown out by Michigan, the Badgers have won four straight games. Two of them came against ranked opponents. Thanks to this four-game surge, Wisconsin finds itself in control of its destiny in the Big Ten West and ranked 21st in the CFP rankings. Nobody could have predicted that Wisconsin would be in this position.
How It Started
The beginning of the turnaround can be attributed to the fact that the coaches and players never stopped believing. While most people were laughing and doubting, those folks are incredibly quiet right now. The team that had lost three of its first four games has now changed its ways. Early in the year, Wisconsin was playing turnover-prone football, now they are playing mostly turnover-free football, with all sides complementing each other. This has resulted in the Badgers controlling their own destiny in the Big Ten West.
Welcome to Death Row
Everything starts and ends with the defense that ranks first nationally. Whenever you think of Badgers football, Jim Leonhard’s bunch always comes to mind. This couldn’t have been more evident in the Badgers 27-7 victory over ninth-ranked Iowa last week. “Death Row” held the Hawkeyes to 156 total yards including a season-low 24 rushing yards and notched three turnovers. The Badgers also registered six sacks in that game. The defensive performance even started a new turnover tradition thanks to Collin Wilder. This is where if a player creates or recovers a turnover, they get to wear the “Grit Factory” trucker hat. The Badgers have also forced eight turnovers in the past two weeks upping their total to eleven after having just four the first three weeks. That hat is getting worn a lot as of late.
Getting Back to the Ground
Coming into the season, the Badgers were expected to have a great passing offense. Instead, its pass attack has struggled. Despite this handicap, the Badgers have opted to go back to their strength; running the ball. It has allowed Clemson transfer, Chez Mellusi to blossom and create an unlikely rise of Braelon Allen who has four straight games of rushing for over 100 yards. It should be noted Allen is just 17 years old and was originally recruited as a defensive back. In turn, it has also allowed Graham Mertz to be a game manager quarterback. Head Coach, Paul Chryst has been able to script out plays for Mertz to play to his strengths and mask his weaknesses. Short and intermediate throws seem to be the passing game’s calling card. The key for Mertz has been not turning the ball over. While Wisconsin has had a one-dimensional offense lately, it has worked for them.
Everyone One In Now
All phases of football have been cranking out positive production during this streak. The College Football Playoff committee even took notice and ranked them 21st in spite of being excluded in the AP and coaches polls. The Badgers have favorable games against Rutgers, Northwestern, and Nebraska. Two of those games will be at raucous Camp Randall Stadium. All three schools have combined for just three wins in Big Ten play. The last game of the season will come against Minnesota in what could be a showdown to go to the Big Ten Championship. While Minnesota may get home-field advantage, Wisconsin has not lost in Minnesota since 2003. Considering how hot the Badgers have been since the sluggish start, all things are possible. Get ready to jump around Badgers fans!
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