The Wisconsin Badgers were able to pull away in the second half to defeat the Buffalo Bulls on Saturday in their opening game of the college football season. Despite scoring 38 points, the Badgers’ offense did not look good for most of the game. In typical Wisconsin fashion, the team put up over 300 yards rushing, but failed to reach 200 yards passing.
While a win is a win, the struggles by the offense, particularly in the passing game, were disheartening because of how much the “Air Raid” offense was hyped up during the offseason. However, it should have been expected that a new-look offense would not looked polished, and the PFF grades on offense sure do reflect that lack of refinement.
The Wisconsin Badgers’ Top 5 PFF Grades on Offense
Perhaps not surprisingly, the top five highest PFF grades consist mostly of the Badgers’ top two running backs and two offensive lineman. However, some may be surprised to see a wide receiver at the top of the list:
- Will Pauling (WR)- 77.3
- Chez Mellusi (RB)- 76.9
- Braelon Allen (RB)- 76.1
- Joe Huber (OG)- 70.0
- Tanor Bortolini (OG)- 66.6
Technically speaking, wide receiver Keontez Lewis could be included on the list as he had a grade of 75.4. That being said, he only played six snaps while everyone else listed played between 20 and 72.
Pauling led the Badgers with 55 receiving yards on five receptions. Most notably in his grade, though, is his 83.9 run blocking grade. Both Mellusi and Allen had some pretty big runs on Saturday, and Pauling’s downfield blocking was a big reason why.
Interestingly, Wisconsin had much better run production than pass production despite the fact that their two top graded offensive linemen (and all but one of their linemen, for that matter) were above average in pass blocking, but average to below average in run blocking.
Huber had a pass blocking grade of 73.3 and a run blocking grade of 69.1. Bortolini had a pass blocking grade of 80.0 and a run blocking grade of 61.9.
The Wisconsin Badgers Lowest 5 PFF Grades on Offense
If one was surprised to see a wide receiver at the top of the list for the best PFF grades, one may not be too surprised to see the bottom five riddled with pass catchers. And no, quarterback Tanner Mordecai did not have one of the worst five PFF grades (of the 20 offensive players graded, Mordecai ranked 12th).
- CJ Williams (WR)- 45.2
- Skyler Bell (WR)- 50.2
- Hayden Rucci (TE)- 51.5
- Chimere Dike (WR)- 52.1
- Trey Wedig (RT)- 56.0
Bell obviously didn’t do himself nor the rest of the team any favors by dropping that beautiful early throw from Mordecai.
Both Williams and Dike were atrocious run blocking, earning grades of 42.7 and 39.9 respectively.
Wedig, like the offensive linemen above, had a better pass blocking grade (80.9) than run blocking.(52.3).
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