Sitting at 2-2 and a two game losing streak, Wisconsin football returns home this weekend to take on Purdue. The Boilermakers are coming off a 28-10 home loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers last week. Their defense is struggling big time against FBS opponents. This should be a get right game for the Badgers, but nothing is a guarantee right now. They need every win they can get. Kick off is 11 AM CST on BTN. Here are the keys to Wisconsin football getting their third win of the season.
The Wisconsin Football Offense Needs to Generate Momentum
Purdue might be the worst team in the Big Ten and one of the worst teams in the FBS. After shutting out Indiana State in their season opener, they have given up an average of 44 points a game in the last three games, two of those at home including 66 points to Notre Dame. It is not a good defense that has only generated two turnovers.
If the Wisconsin football offense can’t get anything going against the Purdue defense Saturday, it is a really bad recipe for the rest of the season. It doesn’t matter if they run the ball or throw it. If they can get something going and something they can rely on, it will suit them better moving forward.
Find Anything to Feel Good About
Both sides of the ball for this Wisconsin football team needs something to feel good about. The secondary has been cooked two games in a row and the offense has zero consistency. This is a game where I think both sides of the ball can take advantage against what appears to be a bad Boilermaker team.
Defensively, we need to see a pass rush. Luke Fickell attacked the portal to do that, but it has not worked a third of the way through the season. Multiple sacks and pressures can be contagious and can go along way for a front seven that needs it and a secondary that needs to be protected.
Make Hudson Card Beat You
I like Purdue running back Devon Mockobee. He’s a physical runner and someone that can cause headaches for opposing defenses. Quarterback Hudson Card and thrown for seven touchdowns, but has thrown four interceptions and has taken 10 sacks. He is a dual threat option, but someone that can turn the ball over when under pressure.
Last season, Card did not throw a touchdown against the Badgers and threw two interception. He did run the ball 13 times for 54 yards and a touchdown, but the Wisconsin football defense made him beat them and they generated turnovers as a result. I am expecting a similar outcome this Saturday and hope the Badger defense can generate pressure while maintaining gap assignments.
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