It;s going to be another tall task for Wisconsin football this week. After getting blown out two weeks ago against Alabama, the Badgers now go on the road take on #13 USC. They will also be without starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke for the rest of the year after he tore his ACL in the Alabama game. It will be redshirt sophomore Brayden Lock who will take the reps the rest of the way. Here is what Wisconsin football needs to do if they are going to pull off a big road upset on Saturday.
Brayden Locke Has to Show Command of the Offense
The talk about Brayden Lock in spring and fall camps has been his poise and how well he runs the Wisconsin football offense. I see it. After making three starts and four appearances last year, Locke takes care of the ball pretty well.
Here is what concerns me. Locke does struggle to get air on the ball off his arm. Too many times we have seen the football deflected at the line of scrimmage. I also think the decision process is there, but it’s a second too late. That can result in accuracy issues, which also tends to be an issue with Lock so far.
On Saturday, I want to see Phil Longo make this as simple as a three step drop and the ball is out. It doesn’t matter if is a four yard completion. Just something to make him comfortable. It took Locke way too long to get into the a flow in the Alabama game. That needs to change this week.
Wisconsin Football Needs to Win this Game on the Ground
Locke can’t throw the ball 40 times this week and expect Wisconsin football to win, It’s not going to happen. Overall, I like the makeup of the Wisconsin football running back room. There is a goo mixture of veterans and young players with a ton of upside.
Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker will need to play like seniors and put this offense on their backs. If they are able to find the open holes and bust a few runs, I think the passing game will slowly open up. Locke will also have to make some throws early too as I am sure USC will be coming with stunts and blitzes early and often.
Run first is likely what the offense will hang its hat on the rest of season or at least for the time being. This might be a game where we see the old Wisconsin football come back out.
The Wisconsin Football Secondary Needs to Bounce Back
It was a rough showing for the Wisconsin secondary in the Alabama game, especially the corners. They were burned on multiple home run balls from Jalen Milroe. It isn’t all that surprising as they were not really tested the first two games of the season. It’s hard for your first test to be Alabama. This is a veteran group that will need to have a better outing Saturday.
Miller Moss, the starting quarterback for the Trojans, despite lower passing numbers than I thought he would have to this point, can sling the ball and will likely take some chances as well. An early turnover form this group would be huge in building momentum. It will be a sell out on Saturday, but I expect a god showing from Badger fans as well.
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