Wisconsin Badgers are expected to be without a quarterback Braedyn Locke against the USC Trojans to give him another chance.
Badgers fans are divided on the situation, though, with some believing Locke has reached his limit. With expected starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke out this season with a knee injury, Locke will once again step into the starting quarterback position due to injury.
Last season, Locke had 777 passing yards, five touchdowns, one interception and minus-2 rushing yards in five games. The quarterback struggled in coverage, but he also had injuries in the defensive backfield and a receiving core that struggled with drops. Both running backs Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi were constrained last season with various injuries.
Despite his struggles, Locke has been praised by the Wisconsin Badgers coaching staff as a “second-strength quarterback,” a trait that will now be put to the test.
Locke struggled through a tough training camp that included a positional battle between Locke and Van Dyke for the starting role. While Van Dyke inevitably won the role, Locke proved his potential on the field to the Wisconsin football staff. Locke now has another chance to prove his worth as the starting quarterback against a tough USC defense.
Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke faces tough test against USC
Regardless of the location, which will also be crucial in the game, Locke will have to face a fairly forceful defense.
While the main storylines for USC include defensive lineman Bear Alexander leaving the team, the defense has been solid without Alexander. Former Wyoming starter and current defensive quarterback Gavin Meyer has been the team’s primary run stopper. Linebacker Eric Gentry has also been a key part of the defense, recording two sacks and a forced fumble in three games.
USC currently has five sacks on the season, but has struggled to pressure the quarterback against LSU and Michigan. That could be a personnel issue involving Alexander and other defensive linemen, but it also appears to be a speed issue. LSU and Michigan have had a lot of success running the ball against the Trojans when the running backs are running into holes at full speed.
The Wisconsin Badgers will need to take a cue from the Tigers and Wolverines’ offenses. The Wisconsin Badgers have struggled to find an identity on offense this season, and at times it seems like the offense is forcing the ball through the air.
While the air raid offense is a great concept, many fans want to see the Wisconsin Badgers regain their dominant ground game in the future. Wisconsin has an engaging duo of freshman running backs that could be utilized in Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones.
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