Wisconsin Football: Grading position groups from week two

I’m going to hold the linebackers more accountable than the other groups on defense because they’re the most experienced and talented by a long shot.

The good things the linebackers did were plentiful. Zack Baun was second on the team in tackles with six and he got in on half of a tackle for loss. Andrew Van Ginkel had 1.5 tackles for loss of his own and found the quarterback for his first sack of the year. T.J. Edwards and Ryan Connelly both played well too recording multiple tackles.

The reason this grade isn’t an A is that of the first drive. New Mexico ran a quick-hitting read option offense down the field for a score that a more disciplined linebacking corps would have been able to shut down. It did most of the rest of the afternoon, but the opening drive was troubling.

It wasn’t troubling because I expected it to continue through the rest of the game, it was so because the linebackers, much like the offensive line, are supposed to be the guys Badger fans don’t have to worry about. The group is so decorated and so talented and so experienced that whatever you throw at it, it’s going to handle with ease.

Seeing New Mexico take advantage of a defense that looked a few steps too slow wasn’t ideal. The linebackers answered the call and played better the rest of the game. Next week I expect a sharper start.