There has been an interesting phenomenon that has stretched all the way from articles, to social media, to the comments on my podcast: Some Wisconsin Badgers fans are back on the Fick Train seemingly because
of a closer-than-expected 21-7 loss in the wind and rain against the No. 6 Oregon Ducks.
While I was impressed with the grit shown on defense by the Badgers, there was nothing I saw Saturday night that has dramatically altered my perceptions on how the season will go/how I feel about Luke Fickell.
I realize that not everyone thinks like I do, but getting called out for being too negative? I didn’t have that on my Badger Football Bingo Card.
Offense
Yes, they scored a touchdown for the first time in three games, but the offensive attack was frail and conservative. Post game, Luke Fickell admitted that his quarterback choice was probably incorrect after a 7 for 21 performance was saved from total oblivion by a wild Eugene Hilton grab. Huh, you think so?
The MVP was Gideon Ituka, who ran hard and with purpose, piling up 85 yards. The fact that it took until late October (and several injuries to other running backs) for Fickell/Grimes to give him meaningful totes is a coaching data point.
Grade: D
Defense:
Not to beat a dead horse, but the wind and rain in Eugene were like adding a 12th defender.
But make no mistake, the Wisconsin defense played tough and gritty and kept Oregon off balance all night. Mason Posa and his 13 tackles (and one broken quarterback nose) offered a tantalizing glimpse into the future. That’s worth something.
Grade: B
Special Teams
Punter Sean West was, again, a baller with a 47.7 average. Not a whole lot else to note here on a night where mistakes would have been expected. Vinny Anthony was solid on his kick returns. There were field goals attempted.
Grade: B
Coaching
While I’ve noted that nothing from Eugene changes my Fickell calculus, it was still a better-than-expected Wisconsin performance, especially on defense, although it wasn’t without coaching errors.
Fickell was, again, ultra conservative late in the first half and inexplicably stuck with Simmons (again).
But staying within 14 points of the No. 6 team is a whole lot better than the previous three games.
Grade: C+
Overall
It was a step in the right direction, but still not good enough. I’ll remind people that a closer-than-expected game versus Oregon in 2024 was bracketed by three horrific blowout losses to Big Ten West rivals, so my perceptions on this team and coaching staff have not changed much.
Grade: C
