Badger of Honor
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Wisconsin Football: Five team weaknesses for 2018

By Tanner Nestle

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Quarterback Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to pass against the defensive lineman Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: Quarterback Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers looks to pass against the defensive lineman Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin Football Head Coach Paul Chryst
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers looks on against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first quarter of the game at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 19, 2016 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Conservative playcalling

This might be the most nitpicky of the bunch, but I think it’s worth pointing out. Wisconsin’s talent and strengths warrant a more conservative style of play. It just gets to be too much at times.

The Badgers have more weapons available to them in 2018 than in recent years so the super safe playcalling could be a thing of the past. Paul Chryst showed signs in the Orange Bowl that he trusted Alex Hornibrook and his receivers to make plays. I hope to see more of that this season. It just isn’t in Wisconsin’s DNA.

Wisconsin is great at picking up yardage and is one of the best teams in the country on third downs. The offense can run great with a few chunk plays thrown in here or there. I just think it’s tougher for a defense to gameplan against Wisconsin when there are more big-play attempts on film.

In the Big Ten Championship game, it was tough for Jonathan Taylor to really get into a groove because the Buckeyes knew Taylor was a big part of the offense. If they sold out on Taylor, the Badgers didn’t have many options to beat the Buckeyes over the top. If Chryst works just a few more explosive plays into the offense it could ensure that doesn’t happen this year. The Badgers don’t need to be a threat on every play to go deep, but a few more here or there can’t hurt.