If the cup is half-full, you will note that the next three games are against Rutgers, Maryland, and Purdue. That's the good news, but the bad news is that the Badgers played so poorly against Iowa; none of those are guaranteed, and Luke Fickell still can't solve Iowa.
While the season may still end up around eight wins even if Luke Fickell changes nothing, that's not good enough considering it would most likely mean losses to our rivals. It would also mean watching a miserable product for four more weeks. Fickell must bring some changes to the team, and there are two very obvious things to do, but knowing Fickell, he won't do either. Not mid-season.
1. Fire Jeff Grimes
Grimes has been a poor offensive coordinator this season. Sure, he's nowhere close to Phil Longo, but the offensive game-planning hasn't been great. Wisconsin seemingly can never find a rhythm, and it's across the board on the offense. The offensive line hasn't been that great; the running attack has been well below par; the quarterback play has been abysmal; the wide receivers aren't creating separation; and the play calling stinks.
That's all on Grimes. Or at least he's the one who should be accountable for it. He hasn't really established an offensive identity, and he has weapons to play with. Add in the fact that the offense took a 3-hour nap yesterday against Iowa, and Badger fans should be irate.
Luke Fickell should be furious and should be demanding something more from Grimes or his resignation letter. There's maybe a reason he's been run out of all the other offensive coordinator jobs he's had. His offense lacks identity and inspiration. It's not been fun to watch.
2. Bench Colton Joseph
The one that most of the fans are calling for is Colton Joseph to ride the pine. He's been bad all season, but especially since Big Ten play began. His best yardage performance was against Penn State with 235 yards, but that was the game in which he threw three interceptions and had to dig himself out of his own hole.
Against Michigan State, he bounced back, sort of; he had three touchdowns but only completed 45% of his passes, with only nine total completions for 145 yards. It was fine because the Badgers handled the Spartans. Yet, since then, Joseph has thrown for 214 yards TOTAL... in three games. He was 5-for-14 against Iowa before being benched.
He's pretty one-dimensional and can't hit his receivers consistently. The receivers need to take some blame for not creating separation, but even when they do, as a fan, you have to hold your breath that Joseph won't absolutely miss the open guy.
Backup Ryan Hopkins is the future; it's time to let him have a run at it. He got to play yesterday, and with zero prep with the ones, he went in there and went 8-for-13 for 90 yards and an interception. Give him some reps this week, and turn him loose against Rutgers.
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