"It Is Guaranteed At This Point" - Wisconsin Badgers Must Address Costly Interception Issue After Streak Extended To 7-Games

The Wisconsin Badgers staff has reached a point where an intervention to prevent further interceptions might be needed.

Quarterback Braedyn Locke has been a solid quarterback for the Badgers, between his exceptional performance against Rutgers to his ability to quickly fill in for the team. Two seasons in a row, Locke has been thrown into the starting role unexpectedly after in-game injuries had much more serious consequences.

USATSI 24657419 168400517 lowres — Nov 2, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; The Wisconsin Badgers enter Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

While Locke has been doing a lot right for the team, his true achilles heel for the Wisconsin Badgers has been interceptions. Currently, Locke is on a seven-game streak this season, tossing at least one interception in each game. The quarterback has been having difficulties fully reading defenses this year and has expected defenders to be in different places than they ended up at times.

The quarterback has recorded 1281-yards, seven touchdowns, and now seven interceptions this season for the Wisconsin Badgers. Locke also has two rushing touchdowns, but has only attempted to run the ball ten times in dire circumstances.

Locke has been a quarterback regarded as a “film junkie” and someone who is consistently studying the game at a high level. It is difficult to imagine what is going wrong for the quarterback between the time he is on the practice field to the actual game.

Wisconsin Badgers Quarterback Extends Interception Streak Against Iowa Hawkeyes

USATSI 24660078 168400517 lowres — Nov 2, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) throws a pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

During the big contest against the Iowa Hawkeyes, a team in a similar position, Locke did not read the cornerback who was splitting off of coverage, and tossed a costly interception.

The Wisconsin Badgers and Locke were driving when the interception occurred, which shifted the game to a 7-3 contest. The quarterback has been in the center of a massive controversy among Wisconsin Badgers fans which involves the quarterback room. Outside of Locke, true freshman quarterback Mabrey Mettauer is the likely next candidate up, and offers a potential look into the future.

However, outside of Mettauer, the room is rather bare with Cole Lacrue dealing with multiple injuries the last two seasons.

Despite the interceptions, the Wisconsin Badgers had actually been winning football games and thus the issue was not that concerning. However, with the interception being a crucial part in the loss to Penn State, it is becoming harder and harder to forget about. If the Wisconsin Badgers were to lose to the Iowa Hawkeyes as a result of interceptions, the Badgers staff would have to at least consider making a quarterback change.

What appears to be likely holding the Badgers staff back from making a move is a combination of lack of experience and time behind Locke. Mettauer can realistically play in every remaining game and still have a redshirt, but the Badgers staff likely wants to ease the quarterback into play. The quarterback is also a true freshman, and the possibility of ruining his development or confidence by throwing him into play too soon is very likely.