Nebraska Football has had a rough couple of weeks, but it’s next opponent, the Wisconsin Badgers seem like an actual mess of a squad.
Coming in at 5-5, both Nebraska Football and Wisconsin are looking to limp into their sixth win of the season this year. Both first-year coaches, Matt Rhule and Luke Fickell, are looking to take advantage of a schedule in the Big Ten West to develop their program. What is the current state of Wisconsin, and how will they match up against the Huskers in Randall?
Injuries
Every team goes through injuries throughout the season. Unfortunately for Wisconsin, this has happened to their two most important players on offense.
Braelon Allen is certainly a powerful runner who can, on any given play, burst through the line for a big gain. While expected to start, expect him to be on a pitch count. Without his usual burst, against this Husker run defense, his impact is likely to be limited.
Quarterback Tanner Mordecai, behind the Wisconsin offensive line, has been given time to throw, and is accurate with the football. He is very capable of taking deep shots down the field. However, since breaking his hand against Iowa, the offense has not been the same.
Source: Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai broke his hand against Iowa and had surgery on Sunday. He had a pin put in his hand and he’s expected to be out for the immediate future. A specific timetable on his return is unknown. pic.twitter.com/h3C3sgRA0J
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 16, 2023
Wisconsin offense vs. Nebraska Football defense
The strength of this team is through their quarterback play of Mordecai. Having six receivers with ten or more receptions this season, this will be the avenue Wisconsin looks to exploit, against a Nebraska secondary, while solid, that has given up plays in coverage.
Running against the Nebraska front seven, the offensive line has not been able to get a push, or up to the second level on a consistent basis. Wisconsin will not look to game plan into one of the strengths of this Nebraska team.
Wisconsin defense vs. the Nebraska Football offense
Wisconsin has had a decent ability to defend the run up the middle. RPO and option plays could be where Nebraska looks to take advantage. This defense pursues the football well as a team, leaving an opportunity for Nebraska to use their flow against them, outside of the tackles.
The pass defense is a classic bend don’t break system. Their secondary is comfortable giving up completions on softer coverage, while protecting against the deep threat.
Miscues
Being up with Nebraska Football, leading the nation in fumbles and going 4-for15 on fourth down has ultimately doomed Wisconsin throughout the season. Something will give, as one of these sloppy teams will become bowl-eligible Saturday night.