This week is one of two bye weeks for the Wisconsin football program. Boy, do they ever need it. After getting crushed 42-10 to #4 Alabama at home last week, the Badgers also lost starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to a torn ACL. This was confirm yesterday. In my opinion, the offensive side of the ball has been more of the issue through 16 games under Luke Fickell. It’s really offensive coordinator Phil Longo who runs the show on this side. With Brayden Locke likely to be the starter for the foreseeable future, here are some of my early thoughts ont he Wisconsin football offense at the bye week.
Wisconsin Football Will Have to be a Run First Offense
Through two games, I thought Tyler Van Dyke was more mobile than I originally thought. You don’t get much, if any, mobility with Brayden Locke. Locke takes care of the football pretty well and won’t put it in harms way. With that, you won’t see many chances taken.
I have been pleasantly surprised with the running back room. Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker are running backs 1A and 1B, but it’s been Cade Yacamelli who has given this offense some good reps and runs the ball hard. Jackson Acker has been used more of a receiving back and has provided good reps as well. This group will have to be used heavily here the rest of the season.
There Doesn’t Appear to be a Consistent Flow
16 games isn’t a ton of games, but there isn’t much improvement from a season ago. I understand 2023 when this was a new system and a good number of Paul Chryst guys stayed. There is a pass given for that.
It didn’t take long in the Western Michigan game to see this was the exact same flow of last year, There is a ton of runs up the middle and passes to the running back our the backfield that go nowhere. Outside of a few times, there hasn’t been many shots taken down the field either. This offense was meant to push the ball while establishing the run game. Wisconsin football has done well at keeping with the run game, but the passing game is still choppy at best.
It’s Not the Air Raid Offense We were Promised
Maybe part of this has to do with Phil Longo being able to coach players like Sam Howell and Drake Maye, both who became first round NFL Draft picks. I just think this air raid offense that was suppose to change Wisconsin football has not worked to this point.
Longo also deserves a pass on quarterback injuries. Tanner Mordecai missed three games last year with a broken hand and now Van Dyke is done after only two games and one drive. It does matter and is worth noting.
For now, it’s the Brayden Locke show. There didn’t appear to be much improvement from last season. He does have two weeks to get ready for a huge road game at USC.
Maybe some of this has to do with Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh. He was the one who was confident this program would pick its feet up right away. Instead, it’s trending toward this will be a 4-5 year project before we really start seeing results.
Through 16 games, this tenure and the offensive side of the ball is not where we thought it would be or should be. It’s a brutal schedule for this Wisconsin football team in 2024. They will have to scratch and claw to get six wins and keep their bowl streak alive.
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