Wisconsin Football 2023

[CheezWizHed]

1 hour ago, Samurai Bucky said:

I will call myself out -- I thought the Badgers were going to get trounced.  Up to this point, the offense did nothing to show they could stay on the field and the defense was very suspect.

I was very impressed with the defense.  Earlier in the year, it didn't seem like the defensive backfield knew when to hand off receivers to somebody else.  They did that much better, although handing off Harrison, Jr. to anybody but a "Richard Sherman" would not have helped 😉

Although Todd Blackledge kept talking about how great the OSU defense was, a lot of the OSU defense success was due to Wisconsin not executing.  When Allen went down, I had a really bad feeling.

My takeaways:

I am excited at what Locke will continue to bring to the table.  The TD pass "flick" was reminiscent of what a Mahomes would do.  I think he will learn the ins and outs of the Longo system.

The offensive line is banged up.  However, they did a good job holding off the OSU defense.  Much better than I expected.

While they lost, I'm still encouraged.  That may sound weird, but it wasn't a terrible loss.

Yeah, I was expecting the "over" on 14 points... I was surprised by hanging with them for 3 quarters.  

Like the Packers, I don't expect much from them in a transition year.  Unlike the Packers, they seem to be growing from game-to-game and getting better.  Still a talent gap (that hopefully consistently improved recruiting will fix), but the team is showing growth.  I was not disappointed by that loss.

[LouisEly]

The defensive coaching staff made one bad decision in the 4th quarter and that was use a 2-4-5 instead of 3 DL when you knew that OSU was going to run the ball.  Henderson had 71 of his rushing yards in the 4th quarter.  Happened to Leonhard's defenses too when he used the 2-4-5 against OSU.  Offensive line got too much push from not enough beef on the DL.

[Jim French Stepstool]

9 hours ago, nate82 said:

 

Ohio State’s TE also was a non factor all game another impressive feat by the defensive unit.

 

Great point. I thought Stover was going to be a big problem, especially on 3rd down. To keep him under wraps while having to contend with Harrison was totally unexpected.

[Jim French Stepstool]

6 hours ago, LouisEly said:

The defensive coaching staff made one bad decision in the 4th quarter and that was use a 2-4-5 instead of 3 DL when you knew that OSU was going to run the ball.  Henderson had 71 of his rushing yards in the 4th quarter.  Happened to Leonhard's defenses too when he used the 2-4-5 against OSU.  Offensive line got too much push from not enough beef on the DL.

True. But they were short a couple linemen (Thompson, Rodas Johnson) & went a little further down the depth than they otherwise would have. I wonder if that had anything to do with it.

The LBs certainly didn't step up though, and there wasn't any success at sealing off the edges. I agree, two down linemen when OSU is in run mode isn't going to get it done.

[yourout]

To Say that I'm disappointed with the fickle era so far would be a gross understatement.

This is a poorly coached team with guys consistently taking bad angles and no lane discipline

[Fear The Chorizo]

1 hour ago, yourout said:

To Say that I'm disappointed with the fickle era so far would be a gross understatement.

This is a poorly coached team with guys consistently taking bad angles and no lane discipline

Defense isn't an issue with this year's Badger team that is undergoing a huge transition, no matter how much you have a crush on Leonard.

 

 

[wildcat83]

This team makes so many mental mistakes, penalties, drops, fumbles, missed assignments.  Defense has played well again keeping it close, but the offense can’t get out of its own way.

[HarryDoyle]

[adambr2]

Fickell is proving to be just about as gutless on the edge of FG range as Chryst was. Twice he passed on opportunities to try to tie this game.

[nate82]

28 minutes ago, adambr2 said:

Fickell is proving to be just about as gutless on the edge of FG range as Chryst was. Twice he passed on opportunities to try to tie this game.

The second one was the right call to go for the 1st down.  They had the correct play and a wide open receiver Locke just over threw the WR. 

[yourout]

1 hour ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

Defense isn't an issue with this year's Badger team that is undergoing a huge transition, no matter how much you have a crush on Leonard.

 

 

I was never pining for Leonard and was okay with the hire at the time.

But I will say now I see what some of the Cincinnati people were grumbling about in that he is a very mediocre game day coach but a good recruiter and could only win with Superior talent.

He most certainly got out coached today.

[Jim French Stepstool]

Obviously the injuries have hurt, but IMO this is their worst performance of the season. The tackling got better, but was poor in the 1st half. Both Hallman & Turner have a routine tackle opportunity late in the 1st half on 3rd down & both whiff. That cost them 7 points, and maybe more as they would've gotten the ball back with time left. Earlier, a terrific play call results in a 1st down run from Yacamelli, except 6'7", 300LB-plus Jack Nelson can't simply seal the edge w/o holding. Then there was the 3rd & 10 from the Indiana 18, which is immediately followed by the daily double--Delay of game, then a sack.

I didn't have a big problem with Fickell passing up on the two long FG attempts. Their field position was crappy most of the day, at some point you need to get a strategic punt & a stop. Of course, the one time that happened the kid kicks it about 60 yd.

I think Locke was anywhere from passable to very good his last two games. Today was obviously nowhere near that. Yacamelli & Acker gave you about what you can expect from your #3 & #4 tailbacks, but when you're lacking much balance the WRs need to do a much better job of finding open space for him.

For the most part the O-line wasn't bad.

This staff is going to recruit at a pretty high level, they already have. But obviously you need the discipline, reps, mental toughness, whatever it is to stop shooting yourself in the foot. Nothing left but to let it continue to unfold. Arguably Their best overall performance, followed by their worst. Frustrating, but kinda par for the course.

[Jim French Stepstool]

1 hour ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

Defense isn't an issue with this year's Badger team that is undergoing a huge transition, no matter how much you have a crush on Leonard.

 

 

My opinion of Tressel as a DC has risen as the season has unfolded. But the tackling leaves a lot to be desired. I've said before, I think under this staff they're going to be very tough to pass on, provided they can develop a pass rush. They really put an emphasis on the secondary in recruiting, with good results.

Huge transition? Yeah, and with each passing week that seems to become more & more evident.

[yourout]

Fickell has been correctly getting roasted by the local media for the delay of game penalty right before the sack that took them out of field goal range.

And I think that's the second time in 3 weeks that his unwillingness to take a time out before a delay of game has cost them points.

 

[Jim French Stepstool]

2 hours ago, yourout said:

Fickell has been correctly getting roasted by the local media for the delay of game penalty right before the sack that took them out of field goal range.

And I think that's the second time in 3 weeks that his unwillingness to take a time out before a delay of game has cost them points.

I think that's a fair criticism. It's been revealed that Vakos wasn't 100%, which could explain begging off the longer opportunities. But that was a potential 35 yard attempt, that 1 flag & one play later dissolved into a punt. Having that happen in week nine is hard to swallow.

[LouisEly]

Locke looked every bit of a Freshman.  Seemed like he made up his mind what he was going to do pre-snap, which led to several tackles for 3+ yard losses on runs or passes.  Forcing throws to blanketed receivers.  Five passes tipped or batted down - not sure if that's bad mechanics, bad decisions, or bad luck.  Took two sacks when he absolutely couldn't have taken them and should have thrown it away when the first two options weren't available.

Third quarter they had over 70 yards rushing, then seemed to forget about the run.  21 run plays to 41 pass plays when you're within one score isn't good when you have a freshman QB in a new system.  Both Yacamelli and Acker had >4.4 ypc; the OL was finally doing their job with run blocking.

I had a feeling that Vakos wasn't 100% and that was the case; no way they pass up 50 yard FGs if he's healthy.

Whatever play that is where the WR loops back around behind the QB and RB needs to be ripped out of the playbook and burned.  It's primary purpose is a fake to draw defenders away from the middle of the field, but you have to make it look like a fake and not jog after you get past the QB.

When did an "uncatchable ball" get removed from consideration for pass interference?  The PI call in the first half on UW was even worse than the one in the second half - that receiver caught the ball out of bounds.  How the hell can it be catchable if the receiver caught it out of bounds?

[Samurai Bucky]

19 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

I think that's a fair criticism. It's been revealed that Vakos wasn't 100%, which could explain begging off the longer opportunities. But that was a potential 35 yard attempt, that 1 flag & one play later dissolved into a punt. Having that happen in week nine is hard to swallow.

Lahm is available.  Although he is a sophomore, he has a pretty good leg from what I understand.  He can drill it on kickoffs when he wants to.

[Jim French Stepstool]

4 hours ago, Samurai Bucky said:

Lahm is available.  Although he is a sophomore, he has a pretty good leg from what I understand.  He can drill it on kickoffs when he wants to.

He does. There was also Van Zelst, who doesn't have an unusually strong leg but was their primary FG guy last season. I agree either would've been preferable to throwing the Hail Mary at the end of the half. AFA the other situation, I was less concerned about the decision not to kick & more about having a 35-yard attempt in your hip pocket, then the penalty followed by the sack. The mental pratfalls have to stop, and yeah, that includes the guys on the staff.

[Jim French Stepstool]

11 hours ago, LouisEly said:

 

When did an "uncatchable ball" get removed from consideration for pass interference?  The PI call in the first half on UW was even worse than the one in the second half - that receiver caught the ball out of bounds.  How the hell can it be catchable if the receiver caught it out of bounds?

I don't know what the rule states, but from what I've seen in games it appears that if the interference occurs before the ball gets there it's usually called, catchable or not. I'm not claiming that makes any sense because I agree, it doesn't.

As to not running the ball in the 2nd half---I'll never forget the game a handful of years ago when UW went into Ann Arbor & just manhandled Michigan, and IIRC they didn't throw a pass the entire 2nd half. One of the most satisfying, beautiful things I've ever seen. I assume we'll never again see anything even closely resembling that because even if we're picking up yards on the ground, after 3 or 4 running plays in a row I'd picture Longo standing on the sidelines like a drug addict in need of a fix, shaking, twitching, needing to justify Air Raid.

[Samurai Bucky]

8 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

I don't know what the rule states, but from what I've seen in games it appears that if the interference occurs before the ball gets there it's usually called, catchable or not. I'm not claiming that makes any sense because I agree, it doesn't.

Not quite the same thing, but it does touch on "uncatchable balls."

I was watching the Sunday Night Football game, and Josh Allen threw a go route on the sideline and the receiver (maybe Davis) clearly cut off the route and squared to the sidelines.  The ball was thrown 20 yards past where the receiver was and a flag was thrown for intentional grounding.

Cris Collinsworth and the Terry McAuley (the expert referee on standby), got into a discussion where McAuley was trying to defend the rule while Cris Collinsworth explained the route was a "choice route."  Allen threw the ball before Davis cut off the route.  It was obvious what had happened, but the referees "had to throw the flag."

I understand that there is judgment involved.  However, there are certain things that are way too obvious and should not be called.  I suppose that is the human element of the game.

[Oxy]

2 hours ago, Samurai Bucky said:

Not quite the same thing, but it does touch on "uncatchable balls."

I was watching the Sunday Night Football game, and Josh Allen threw a go route on the sideline and the receiver (maybe Davis) clearly cut off the route and squared to the sidelines.  The ball was thrown 20 yards past where the receiver was and a flag was thrown for intentional grounding.

Cris Collinsworth and the Terry McAuley (the expert referee on standby), got into a discussion where McAuley was trying to defend the rule while Cris Collinsworth explained the route was a "choice route."  Allen threw the ball before Davis cut off the route.  It was obvious what had happened, but the referees "had to throw the flag."

I understand that there is judgment involved.  However, there are certain things that are way too obvious and should not be called.  I suppose that is the human element of the game.

That was a terrible call last night, and consequential as it took Buffalo out of FG range.  I always thought that the QB had to be in danger of being sacked...otherwise quite literally every time a QB kills the clock with a spiked ball he should quite literally be called for "intentional grounding" (although it wouldn't really be much of a penalty since they'd only lose a yard or two),

[yourout]

This is a bad poorly coached team.

[HarryDoyle]

14 minutes ago, yourout said:

This is a bad poorly coached team.

I don't know if they're poorly coached, but they sure are bad.

[yourout]

1 minute ago, HarryDoyle said:

I don't know if they're poorly coached, but they sure are bad.

I swear they are getting worse by the down.

 

[yourout]

Over under on wins next year is 3.