After a brutal second half in which Wisconsin football was outscored 28-0, the Badgers return home this weekend to face Purdue. The Boilermakers lose at home to Nebraska 28-10. It was a match in which they had a good chance of winning. Purdue has had a gritty start to the year and they look like one of, if not, the worst team in the Big Ten. Here’s an early look at the Boilermakers.
The Wisconsin Football Offense will have a up-to-date offensive coordinator
It may not matter much on Saturday, but Purdue fired offensive coordinator Graham Harrell on Sunday. After a stellar college career at Texas Tech and a stint with the Green Bay Packers, the Boilermakers will move on without Harrell.
I don’t see too many differences since it’s game week and there’s no bye week, but the Wisconsin football defense will have to respect all parts of Purdue’s offense. They had a chance to see quarterback Hudson Card in West Lafayette last season and he will run if he wants to. Running back Devin Mockobee, who had a ponderous start to the season, can still take over the game.
The defense has substantial problems
If the Wisconsin football offense will have a nice day at the office. Saturday might be a good day to do this. After blowing out Indiana State 49-0 earlier in the season, Purdue has given up an average of 44 points per game over its last three games. That included giving up 66 points at home to Notre Dame. They have only forced two turnovers so far.
Brayden Locke in particular is playing probably the worst defense he has seen in his career. This could be the game where he finally feels comfortable and starts throwing regularly. He needs to do this if Wisconsin football is to be around for the rest of the season. A little momentum can go a long way to helping the redshirt sophomore point guard.
A chance to gain coherence and dynamics
After 17 games, it’s clear that we have no idea what the Wisconsin football team can hang its hat on. Luke Fickell mentioned earlier this week that fewer defenders will move the ball and stick to one or two. I think it makes sense because players get energy and momentum. This is complex to achieve when you carry the ball less than 10 times. This should still be Wisconsin’s football offense that goes first.
Defensively, this group needs to regain its motivation. Miller Moss and Jalen Milroe performed very well and are the best quarterbacks you will face, with the exception of Dillon Gabriel from Oregon, who will not arrive at Camp Randall until November 16. I still think this could be an above-average defense that just needs some momentum. This could be the perfect week for that to happen.
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