With Wisconsin football on a bye this week, yesterday I shared some of my early thoughts on the state of the offense. Today, I switch over to the defense. This is the unit I believe that has played better. Despite giving up 42 points to Alabama last week, most of these points were scored on short fields after the offense turned the ball over. Here are three of my early thoughts on the Wisconsin football defense.
Still Struggling to Pressure the Quarterback
When Luke Fickell loaded up on defensive line and linebacker in the transfer portal this offseason, the front seven was to be brand new and make life tough on opposing quarterbacks, It was a group in 2023 that only averaged two sacks and game and put little to no pressure on quarterbacks. That was suppose to change this year.
Currently? They only have six sacks through three games. The loss of James Thompson Jr is a big one for the Wisconsin football defensive line, but there are still plenty of players that can generate a pass rush, either on the line or at linebacker.
At linebacker, this is a veteran group with a ton of college football experience. Jaheim Thomas, Leon Lowry, and John Pius are all seniors that were brought in to fix this. Add in Jake Chaney and you have four senior linebackers you can put on the field at once. This group has a ton of talent. It’s just not showing to this point.
The Secondary Has Played Pretty Well
The home run balls Alabama hit on Saturday were tough to watch. It was the first time the Wisconsin football secondary was targeted a ton.
Western Michigan and South Dakota had similar game plans to run the ball and win time of possession, but even when they tried to throw the ball, there wasn’t much success down the field. It makes sense when you have two All-Americans in Hunter Wohler and Ricardo Hallman hunting back there. Despite getting hurt bad by Alabama, I think this unit has played pretty well to this point.
Wisconsin Football has some Really Talented Young Players on Defense
Three young players on the defensive side have had limited reps, but have made the most of them. That is true freshman corner Xavier Lucas and sophomore linebacker Tackett Curtis and Christian Alliegro.
Lucas was a bright spot in fall camp,making play after play. Those who were able to watch practice kept mentioning how he was likely going to see the field right away. He has and already has in interception to his name on the young season. If Hallman enters the NFL Draft, Lucas is CB1 headed into 2025.
Curtis was arguably the biggest win the transfer portal for Fickell and he has not disappointed. After Jake Chaney was ejected for targeting in the second half against South Dakota, it was Curtis was led the defense in the first half of the Alabama game, He is quick to the ball with great instincts and wraps the ball carrier up right away. There is a lot to like about this player.
When things were going bad near the end of last season, Alliegro took adavantage of the opportunties he was give, Like Curtis, he is all over the field and always seems to be a part of every play he’s in. Alliegro also has two of six sacks for the Wisconsin football defense. While it’s a loaded room, Alliegro deserves more reps. I think he’ll get them too.
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