The Wisconsin football team has started the 2024 season off by going 2-0, but has not necessarily looked great in doing so.
The Badgers have defeated the South Dakota Coyotes and the Western Michigan Broncos by a combined score of 55-27. These struggles have been particularly concerning as the #4 Alabama Crimson Tide are just days away from visiting Madison for a tough game. If Wisconsin does not solve their issues ahead of the Crimson Tide game, it could get very ugly for the Wisconsin football team.
Wisconsin Football Team Defeats South Dakota Coyotes, 27-13, Despite Miscues
The Wisconsin football team entered the 2024 season with high hopes, much like the 2023 season, but have taken a moment to truly connect. The Wisconsin Badgers football team has faced arguably the two weakest defenses they will face all year in South Dakota and Western Michigan. However, Wisconsin has only been able to muster 55-points in their first two games of the season and have punted the ball five times.
Wisconsin has not been able to move the ball with ease so far, barely crossing 400-yards passing against two lesser opponents. Wisconsin took awhile to truly click on the offensive side of the ball last season as well, but also had injury issues along their offense. The concerning problem early on for Wisconsin is that their defense is not looking incredibly strong this season either.
The Wisconsin Badgers football staff has added plenty to the defense via the transfer portal, but it has not necessarily made the defense stronger thus far. Wisconsin has allowed nine, eleven, and sixteen play scoring drives already this season against the Coyotes and Broncos. In their contest against the Broncos, Wisconsin allowed a 16 play, nearly nine-minute scoring drive to take place that saw the Broncos record five first downs.
What Did the Wisconsin Badgers Football Team Struggle With Through Two Games?
Wisconsin has had one major area of concern over the past three seasons now and it has been their defensive line. The Badgers have struggled to put together physical, productive play along their line and have instead allowed nearly 150-yards rushing per game the past two seasons. Wisconsin has again struggled with their defensive line this season as the Broncos and Coyotes both had experience offensive line units.
The Badgers have allowed 245-yards rushing and three touchdowns through two games this season, which has again exposed their weakest position group. Wisconsin was able to record key sacks when the defense needed a stop through the first two games, but could not consistently apply pressure. The Badgers staff is going to have to find ways to stop the run game as the Alabama Crimson Tide are going to want to run the ball.
The schedule will not get any easier for the Wisconsin football team after Alabama either, as #13 USC and Purdue are next in line. USC has looked amazing in all aspects of play and could also open up their offense against the Badgers like the Crimson Tide. Purdue has played one game against Indiana State and already scored more touchdowns than Wisconsin has in two games.
Ultimately, Wisconsin really just needs to find a way to becoming more menacing up front and at least force teams to rethink running consistently. For example, the secondary has plenty of talent along with cornerback Ricardo Hallman, who can intercept a pass at any time and his talent causes defenses to avoid him. If Wisconsin can find someone to have that same affect along their defensive line, it might result in some opposing offenses abandoning rush-heavy attacks against the weakest point of the defense.
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