The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Buffalo Bison in Week 1 at Camp Randall Stadium. New head coach Luke Fickell is sticking to the run game as the Badgers identity on offense. This has been what Wisconsin fans have been used to throughout the history of the football program.
Now that the Badgers are going into Week 2 against Washington State, their running back duo may be better than any other team in the country, according to head coach Jake Dickert.
Washington State HC Comments on Badgers Running Back Duo
Greg Woods was the first to report on the Washington State head coach’s comments about the Badgers running back duo:
Washington State coach Jake Dickert on Wisconsin RBs Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi: "I don't think there's two better tailbacks on the same team than what Wisconsin has."
— Greg Woods (@GregWWoods) September 4, 2023
These comments will make some cross-divisional team fanbases furious. The Big Ten East is up for grabs this season, with Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State possibly being in the top three of the East division. Of course, each fanbase believes that their running backs are all the best, not only in the Big Ten but in the country as well.
Badgers Running Backs: Chez Mellusi and Braelon Allen

The Badgers running back duo could continue to impress the fans as they head to Washington State in Week 2. The Cougars allowed 357 total yards of offense, only allowing 37 rushing yards in Week 1 against Colorado State. Wisconsin is looking to redeem the loss that they took at the hands of Washington State last season by a score of 17-14. The Badgers combined for 40 carries with 314 yards rushing yards in their home opener against Buffalo.
Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State Running Backs
The Michigan Wolverines are looking to repeat as Big Ten Champions for a third straight time this season. Their running back duo consists of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards in the backfield. Corum ran for over 1,400 yards in 2022. While Edwards came just shy of reaching 1,000 yards, having big games against the Ohio State Buckeyes, and in the Big Ten Title Game against the Purdue Boilermakers last season. The Wolverines use power, shiftiness, and speed to escape defenses and reach the end zone.
Ohio State also has an effective ground attack with running backs TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams, and Arizona State transfer DeaMonte Trayanum. Some Ohio State fans want to see the new transfer become the starter for the Buckeyes as he had eight carries for 57 yards in Week 1 against Indiana.
He had more rushing yards than the other two returning running backs. Henderson had just 12 carries for 47 yards, while Williams only carried the ball seven times for 25 yards, and two touchdowns. It is hard to say who is more shifty or who has more speed than the other with the three running backs for Ohio State.
Penn State is coming off a 38-15 win against West Virginia in their traditional White-Out game at home last Saturday. The Nittany Lions running back duo of Nicholas Singleton, and Kaytron Allen are currently sophomores. They did not have high rushing numbers in the game against West Virginia, but they each split carries. They combined for 121 rushing yards on the ground. Allen had 10 carries for 70 yards, while Singleton managed to score one rushing touchdown on 13 carries for 51 yards.
Big Ten East School Fanbases Will Be Furious
Fans will go on all season long about who has the better running back duo between the Badgers, Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. Each team will rely heavily on the rushing attack with the style of running backs that they all possess. Most will use what is working, based on opposing defenses that they will face in 2023. As time moves forward, fans will see who progresses and improves sooner.
One thing is for sure, each school has its own opinion on who they think has the better running back duo in the conference, and in the entire country. Let’s just say that the Washington State head coaches’ comments will be on the minds of the Big Ten East fans every single Saturday this fall.
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