Wisconsin Football: Grading group performances from week one

MADISON, WI - AUGUST 31: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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MADISON, WI – AUGUST 31: Drew Eckels #4 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers throws a pass in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

B-. . . Wisconsin Badgers. DEFENSIVE LINE

The defensive line is the group heading into next week with the most question marks for me. I maybe had more concern for other groups going into the Western Kentucky game, but the dull performance by the defensive line changes that moving forward.

This group didn’t do anything bad, it just really didn’t do anything spectacular either. Western Kentucky posted 134 rushing yards as a team, and every sack, tackle for loss, and QB hurry was posted by somebody from the linebacker group or the secondary.

The defensive line wasn’t going to come out and dominate. There are just too many newcomers to the line for that to be the case. But against an outmatched opponent I was expecting at least a bit more than I saw.

I’ll give credit to nerves and rust, especially considering one of the starters, redshirt freshman Kayden Lyles, changed sides of the ball only weeks ago. This unit doesn’t need to be a strength with how talented the linebackers are. It would be nice to see some pass rush stats tallied up next week against a similarly outmatched New Mexico team though.