What a year it’s been so far for Badgers Football. The team sits at the bye week with a 4-4 record. Paul Chryst was fired after an embarrassing loss to Illinois. Both sides of the ball have also been inconsistent. It’s safe to say it’s been a year we didn’t expect. As we sit with four regular season games left, this is what we know about the Badger at this point.
Badgers Football Responded Well To Jim Leonhard
Jim Leonhard was named the interim head coach on Oct. 3. It was obvious the players were shaken up and shocked by the news. Graham Mertz, Braelon Allen, Chimere Dike, Keeanu Benton, Nick Herbig, and John Torchio represented the players the following day. The players tried to take ownership, but also expressed belief in Jim Leonhard.
Through the first three games under Leonhard, the players seem more vocal and are playing the kind of football we expected them to play this season. While it probably might be too late at this point, it’s clear Jim Leonhard has made a strong case to be the full-time Badgers Football coach moving forward.
Badgers Football Offense Is Playing Better
I don’t include the non-power five teams, but Wisconsin has played six power five teams. Three under Leonhard and three under Paul Chryst. In three games under Chryst, they averaged 15 points a game. Under Leonhard? 35. The competition was better when Chryst was at the helm, but a 20-point difference is a ton regardless of the opponent.
We don’t know how much of a hand Bobby Engram had in this offense before the firing. We now know that he has the reigns of this Badgers Football offense. I like what I see with this offense now. Michigan State and Northwestern are no easy road games to play at and the Badgers scored 42 and 28 points, respectively. It’s starting to become a more confident offense and an offense fans have been waiting for.
A Ton Of New Faces Have Had To Step Up for Badgers Football
We knew there would be a ton of new faces, especially on the defensive side. That side of the ball had to replace seven starters. There have been some growing pains (as expected), but there have been some bright spots too for Badgers Football.
The offensive line has been a mess since Week 1. Riley Mahlman injured his knee in Week 1 and players such as Trey Wedig have had to step in and make an immediate impact right away. There’s been some shuffling as well and that can’t be easy for a first-year line coach and an overall young group. Again, there have been some growing pains, but also bright spots.
Winning the Big Ten West Will Take A Miracle
Not only does Wisconsin have to win out, but they’ll need a lot of help. They sit three games back of Illinois for the Big Ten West lead. Winning the west now is unlikely at this point, but there’s still a chance this team can make a run. They are playing for something next year and potentially Jim Leonhard.
It’s not the season we expected as Badger fans, especially in a very winnable Big Ten West. However, we’ve seen many new faces and young faces that will contribute for the next few seasons. I tend to say this a lot, but going into 2023, I like where Badgers Football will be at.
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