BadgerExtra columnist grades the Wisconsin Badgers’ performance in their 27-13 victory over South Dakota on Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium:
Offense: C
The Badgers got off to a great start, producing four explosive plays by the midway point of the second quarter. But they only had one the rest of the way, and managed six points over a stretch of five possessions in the middle of the game. Tyler Van Dyke’s performance was better than the opener but needs to take a jump now that the Badgers have hit a difficult stretch of their schedule. Cade Yacamelli averaged 9.1 yards per carry after getting more opportunities due to Tawee Walker missing the game with an injury. The hope here last week was that offensive coordinator Phil Longo would get a bit more creative, and Van Dyke’s 50-yard touchdown pass to CJ Williams on a run-pass option was a clear sign of progress in that department.
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Defense: C-minus
The Badgers had three sacks, including defensive tackle Elijah Hills’ second of the season. But take out that sack yardage, and the Coyotes averaged nearly 6 yards per rushing attempt. Wisconsin’s inability to clog up running lanes on the line of scrimmage needs to get fixed in a hurry, or Alabama is going to run right through the Badgers. Sophom*ores Tackett Curtis and Christian Alliegro are showing Wisconsin has some depth at inside linebacker.
Special teams: D
It had been a pretty quiet game for this unit until Vinny Anthony II’s fumble on a punt return. That big mistake gave South Dakota the ball inside the Wisconsin 10-yard line. Nathanial Vakos, who missed a short field goal attempt last week, nailed a 50-yarder in the third quarter.
Overall: C-minus
The Badgers kept their penalty yardage total low for the second consecutive week, finishing at 19 vs. South Dakota. Luke Fickell’s decision to go for it from the 1-yard line on the Badgers’ penultimate possession rather than take the points that would have given them a two-score lead was gutsy. But he’s right: If Wisconsin can’t get that yard, it doesn’t deserve to win. For what it’s worth, the Badgers have done a good job of finishing games in each of the first two weeks. But they let two inferior opponents stick around too long each time.
Program doubt sets in as Wisconsin football fans find holes in 2-0 start
I concur, Elmo
— Travis Lannoye (@tlannoye11) September 7, 2024
Doh!
Great game! Hopefully we’ll see a rematch in the playoffs. ….. oh wait, Wisconsin is an FBS team.
— Randall Kohl (@crandallkohl) September 7, 2024
Hey Siri, how are we feeling?
Meh
— Sete (@sete1331) September 7, 2024
Hey Alexa, how are we feeling?
The 2nd meh win in a row.
— Kurt (@ksagendo) September 7, 2024
Heavy sigh
— Dan McIntyre 🇺🇦🌐🥑🗽 (@DanMcIntyre5) September 7, 2024
Meanwhile in Nebraska ...
This is very hard to watch. We should be dominating against teams like this. Were we sold a bill of goods in Fickell?
— Just Tim (@blueflame60) September 7, 2024
Big picture: It's still early on
I expected more from fickell going into his second year. Starting to have my doubts he can build a championship team. Still hope, but doubts setting in
— Guy Wojta (@GuyWojta) September 7, 2024
Football is hard to solve overnight
How long does he realistically get to turn this around? Expected more this year and so far, not as much progress as I would have expected.
— kb1236ogy (@kb1236ogy) September 7, 2024
But what about Notre Dame?
Rutgers put up 49 on a scrappy Mac team and we can barley beat a 1AA team. It’s going to be a long year.
— Mark (@badgerfanaz) September 7, 2024
Two thumbs up!
When you have Northern Illinois beating #5 Notre Dame, maybe we should just be thankful for the win.
— Lambeau West🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@KwaiChangCaine) September 7, 2024
Counting blessings!
A closer than expected win vs South Dakota is better than being the 5th ranked team in the nation losing to Northern Illinois. College football is weird. On to Alabama. 🤷♂️
— Jordan Love Bookmarks (@BookmarkerLove) September 7, 2024
That 2-0 feeling
2-0
— StreamingRadarDaily🖥 | 5 Star Marketing Advisors (@badgerhugh) September 7, 2024
2 sellouts in nice weather
No real injuries
Not many penalties
Not many turnovers
Lots of 🍺
Some nice plays
Some not so nice
Just not dominant vs non B1G 👀
A long way to go
Positive development: Program is finishing games
Take the W. Seems like Curtis and allegro should start regardless. Liked playing the freshman and another good 4th Q to end the game.
— Michael Burger (@Burgscom) September 7, 2024
It is a little suspect, isn't it?
Best team ever but seems like wrong guys are playing…seems like better guys are on bench…
— aarondentz (@aarondentz) September 7, 2024
Needs to come together a little quicker
Run defense is bad. Longo is still trying to make the players fit in his scheme rather than build an offense around the guys he's got. Jones and Dupree looked good. The offense didn't open up until the bowl game last year, let's hope it's not another repeat
— Swagula420 (@LordFrakula) September 7, 2024
Looking for a solution?
The Luke fickell experiment needs to kick in between now and next Saturday at 11 am
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) September 7, 2024
Need improvement next week
Win is a win but not sure we looked better than last week. Trenches are in need of some help bad.
— Brian Lawler (@BrianLa89591885) September 7, 2024
I'm sensing a theme
Troubling to put it mildly. O and D lines are below average.
— RealRiggins Dad. (@factsonly_34) September 7, 2024
Pretty fair assessment
Something is wrong with the defense. Either it's coaching or scheme, but linebackers are constantly out of place and Dline is nowhere to be found all game. The offense could be better, but I like what I'm seeing so far.
— C (@cpidd794) September 7, 2024
Ahhh
The Badgers are the Larry David of football. pic.twitter.com/5Ns1caqbK2
— Eric M. Tostrud (@EricTostrud) September 7, 2024
There are 10 games ahead of us, Branden
I've seen enough of whatever Phil Longo's offense is.
— Branden Timm (@BrandenTimm) September 7, 2024
It's like I've read that somewhere
The offense needs more playmakers, our WR can't get open even when the OL gives the QB time. Run defense is still subpar and gets gashed easily. A lot of work needs to be done in Madison.
— Mark (@DUD6887) September 7, 2024
Wanting a true Air Raid
Mid. Throw the ball 40+ times.
— Carsten Meyer (@C_arstenMeyer) September 7, 2024
Now that would be fun!
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) September 7, 2024Just once, I want to see the Badgers dominate an inferior opponent and win by 40+ points. I'm old enough to remember when we used to do that.
The third quarter was horrific. The rest of the game was ... fine.
No bueno!
Was disappointed that we got under center twice with a fullback in the I and neither play was run cuz of penalties.
— Double Deuce (@mustang1brady) September 7, 2024
Part of the extra DB
Run defense is still bad. Please ask Fickell why it isn’t getting better with all the transfers talent they supposedly got
— BadgerFan (@divot516) September 7, 2024
Might not be the league for the 3-3-5?
Defense needs a ton of work. Offense slow to take flight since its inception. Scrap that 3-3-5 tonight as well. It is awful schematically. Trying to stay patient with the process, but I thought they be a bit further along
— Jack Pine Express (@kwzanella) September 7, 2024
1-0 each week, right? Riiiighhtttt!?
Beating an FCS school in a sloppy manner is better than losing to an FCS school in a sloppy manner. But boy, does this team not instill confidence in me when they start conference play, and certainly not for next week
— Eli (@EasyE6273) September 7, 2024
*checks record books*
Bama will rush for 400
— TRS598 (@trs598) September 7, 2024
A positive development
Pass protection has been good. Would love to know if our receivers aren't getting separation or if Van Dyke isn't pulling the trigger.
— x - Travis Thompson (@PhoenixSTLRams) September 7, 2024
Wait, what?
As a USD fan I’m fairly pleased but as a Badger fan I am not
— Jared (@_WeezyWrld) September 7, 2024
I reckon we'll find out if it'll be a Dixieland Delight
A win is a win, but obviously more is needed to be competitive in conference. Next week? Let's hope they're at least competitive. Nobody wants to see 41-10.
— Scott L (@CCSO228) September 7, 2024
A conspiracy Badgers fans won't believe, I figure
Bold strategy - playing like a mediocre team first two weeks to lull bama into complacency. But, then wisky ready to open up a can of whoopass when they roll out their real starting defense and spread the ball with the veer offense. Brilliant, Bucky, just f’ing brilliant!!
— MJCCFA (@MikefromWisky) September 7, 2024
Lawd
Alabama is going to demoralize us.
— Pam Murray (@puhmella57) September 7, 2024
Ugly like, nope, won't say it
Underwhelming. Next week could get ugly.
— Brian Eich (@BrianEichMKE) September 7, 2024
Maybe when Jalen Milroe runs by them
DL is non existent when it comes to pressure, and thats against 2 sub par opponents. They wont sniff the qb next week
— noisy70 (@wiscofan5) September 7, 2024
Tide going to roll over the defense?
Uhhh…if we can’t slow down the Coyote running attack, the Crimson Tide might pose a predicament
— Brian S (@BrianSm71994635) September 7, 2024
I now want moon pies
My thought is an absolute moon pounding is incoming next week
— Brian Miller (@BMillerx31) September 7, 2024
Bowl streak in jeopardy?
Worried about bowl streak. Gotta be a lot more sharp for Rutgers Northwestern Purdue. Already writing off our chances in more games than I’d like to admit
— Robinson Muff-Potter (@RMuff_Potter) September 7, 2024
Let 'em know, Bret
1-0 two weeks in a row. I know a couple prominent programs to the East that can’t say the same thing! pic.twitter.com/3FIuWZ8Vxi
— Rob Hernandez (@RobHernandezGLF) September 7, 2024
Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com.
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