“I think everybody understands what is at stake for us and what this game means.”
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell said this mere days before his lifeless and undisciplined squad was brutalized
by the Iowa Hawkeyes in Camp Randall on Homecoming night, 37-0. Yes, the score was exactly how the game played out. It was shocking and horrific in equal measure, and the home fans in attendance deserved far better.Let’s get right to the carnage.
Offense
While there were brief moments of competence–especially
from RB Dilin Jones, who probably played his best game as a Badger with some very hard running–the Hunter Simmons-led Wisconsin offense was generally incompetent.
Whether missed blocking assignments, puzzling interceptions, or drops, the Badgers were ghastly and rightfully got shut out. Just absolutely abysmal.
Simmons’ final line was 8/21 for 82 yards, two picks, a lost fumble, and no TD. Yikes.
Grade: F
Defense
While the offense and special teams did this unit no favors, a middling Hawkeye attack with a gimpy QB efficiently bludgeoned the Badgers into submission, led by a 200+ yard, hot knife through butter rushing night.
But the worst part of the evening was Wisconsin’s stunning lack of effort and fundamentals. Missed tackles were plentiful, but more troubling were the numerous instances where a Badger clearly didn’t want to make a hit or play on the ball. There were quitters out there, and it was obvious to anyone watching.
Christian Alliegro definitely wasn’t one of them and seemed confused and crestfallen postgame, much like Hunter Wohler looked too often last season.
Grade: D-
Special Teams
Nothing really happened here of note beyond the punting being middling and Vinny Anthony looking solid.
Grade: C-
Coaching
As most of you know, I’ve transitioned from a relative Fickell apologist to “Fickell must go” fairly recently, but this game underscored the fact that he is unequivocally finished as Wisconsin’s coach. He didn’t get it done, has lost this team, and must be fired, however pricey. That’s big-time college football, and if Athletic Director Chris McIntosh is unwilling to do it, it needs to come from over his head.
The game was a stunning indictment (and microcosm) of everything wrong with his tenure. It’s over, folks.
Grade: F
Overall
Wisconsin is last in the Big Ten and probably the worst team in Power 4. I’m trying to think of a more horrific and lackluster game in modern Badger history, and I can’t.Wisconsin vs Michigan Report Card: What were the positives and negatives from Week 6?
Grade: F
