The bye week is already here for Wisconsin Football. The Badgers currently sit at 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten. They’re also the only team in the Big Ten West that has not lost a conference game yet.
Throughout the first four games, the potential and the flashes have been there for the offense. However, it’s safe to say most fans thought the offense would be ahead of where it’s at right. Despite the early bye week, I think it comes at a perfect time. Here’s what know about the Wisconsin Football offense right now.
The Wisconsin Football Offense Has Not Played a Full 60 Minute Game Yet
I don’t want this to sound bad because the offense has put up an average of 33 points a game and 427.5 yards of total offense in four games. They are able to run the ball when they need and have shown they can pass the ball when needed as well. Even in the air raid offense, the Badgers are still running the ball for 201 yards a game.
At the same time, there’s been a stretch in every game where the offense has gone silent with a number of drives going three and out. It was a problem especially early in the first three games. Wisconsin did not start games fast and it was a reason why they lost to Washington State. Against Purdue on Friday, they started out fast but wasn’t able to turn three points to seven points in the second half.
I believe there is still more we can get out of from this offense. If they can tap into that some more, I think we’re looking at one of the best offenses in the Big Ten and maybe the country.
We Know The Wisconsin Football Offense Needs a Second Running Back Moving Forward
The injury to Chez Mellusi Friday night was a devastating injury. First off, it’s terrible for Mellusi. It’s his third season ending injury with Wisconsin. You hope that he’s able to recover fully moving forward.
For the team? It’s a crushing blow to their depth chart. The Badgers were not deep at running back coming into the season. After Braelon Allen and Mellusi, there is not much experience. Right now, it would seem Jackson Acker would take over the second running back duties.
Acker is a similar build to Allen so the lightning part of that duo is missing. Wisconsin has to be careful over-using Braelon Allen as he has dealt with injuries in the past as well. It’s going to be very interesting to see how Luke Fickell and Phil Longo attack this during the bye week.
We Know The Wisconsin Football Wide Receiver Room is Full of Depth
No wide receiver stats to this point will blow you away. Currently, Chimere Dike leads the team with 288 yards on 11 receptions. However, at least five receivers have 80 yards so far. We have seen games where Will Pauling has been the man and then Skyler Bell the next game.
Going into the season, we were interested in seeing how Phil Longo would split the reps. I think this is where we saw it coming. Not just one player, but a group splitting the wealth and each having their moments. I think this is good to have because a defense can’t take away just one player. There’s a ton of weapons on the field. They are looking more comfortable with quarterback Tanner Mordecai as well. With the injury to Mellusi and the lack of running back depth, this group might have to be the ones that get this Wisconsin Football team over the Big Ten West hump the rest of the way.
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