Don’t look now but here come the Wisconsin Badgers. After a 27-7 win over #9 Iowa last Saturday, the Badgers seem to be in the driver’s seat to win the Big Ten West. If they win their remaining four games, the West will be theirs. No one thought this would be possible a month ago. Here are three players that are behind the turnaround of this season.
Braelon Allen
Braelon Allen in his last 4 games
• @ Illinois (18 rush, 131 yards, TD)
• vs Army (16 rush, 108 yards, TD)
• @ #25 Purdue (12 rush, 140 yards, 2 TD)
• vs #9 Iowa (20 rush, 104 yards)That’s 120+ yards a game // @BraelonAllen pic.twitter.com/gSCot59kPP
— IKE Badgers Podcast (@IKE_Badgers) November 1, 2021
This is an obvious choice. Over the last four games, Braelon Allen has rushed for over 100 yards in each of those games. Along with Chez Mellusi, the Badgers have their 1-2 punch. They have been dominate ever since.
At only 17 years old, Allen should be playing in the playoffs at Fond Du Lac High School. Instead, he’s become a big contributor to this Badger roster. If he can continue playing at the rate he is now, he’ll end his career in 3-4 years as the next great Wisconsin running back. Allen is huge reason behind the turnaround of this season and this roster.
Leo Chenal
Jack Sanborn and Leo Chenal are on Mel Kiper’s most recent best by position big board. Both having monster seasons for the #Badgers. https://t.co/mU54IHWwbF pic.twitter.com/YWaXhNKzzj
— Michael Hogan (@MHoganReports) October 26, 2021
No one in college football has been playing better at inside linebacker over the last few weeks than Leo Chenal. We all knew him and Jack Sanborn were a great duo at inside linebacker. Let’s not forget about Jack Sanborn. He’s been playing really good this year and playing exactly the way we expected him too.
However, Chenal has been playing out of his mind and deserves a ton of credit for turnaround. It all started against Army when Chenal recorded 17 tackles, one sack, and 2.5 tackles for loss. He was the best player on the field that night. The duo of Chenal and Sanborn is the best inside linebacker duo in the country.
Collin Wilder
I think people forget about the leadership that Collin Wilder possesses. After the Notre Dame loss, Wilder was emotional and even apologized to Wisconsin Alumni. He knew that this team should be playing better. I really believe this woke up the team. This has been a better team since.
After Saturday’s win, we saw Collin Wilder rocking the “The Grit Factory” hat. Just recently, Barstool Sports and BreakingT have partnered with him on some awesome merchandise. It’s been an awesome thing to see the Badger defense rocking this and playing great on the field.
🧢GRIT FACTORY HATS🧢
They have arrived! @stoolathletics and @BadgerFootball member @WilderCollin gets 80% of all profits on hats sold.
BUY: https://t.co/ruU3bMMuLa pic.twitter.com/YJzyW7Vtfj
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) November 2, 2021
Not only has this changed the way this team has played, Wilder has also been playing great on the field too. He’s recorded 28 tackles as well as an interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery. He is a part of a great Wisconsin secondary that have been up to the challenge. I think Wisconsin needed a vocal leader on and off the field. Wilder has been that and been great at it.
Huge shoutout to Collin Wilder for embracing a leadership role this year. You can see the positive ripple effects of it each week #OnWisconsin @WilderCollin pic.twitter.com/OyOcImnUm4
— IKE Badgers Podcast (@IKE_Badgers) October 25, 2021
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