Badger of Honor
Fansided

Wisconsin Football: Analyzing the Badgers through four weeks

By Tanner Nestle

MADISON, WI - AUGUST 31: Ryan Connelly #43 of the Wisconsin Badgers sacks Drew Eckels #4 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - AUGUST 31: Ryan Connelly #43 of the Wisconsin Badgers sacks Drew Eckels #4 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Wisconsin football
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 22: Fullback Brady Ross #36 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field during the second half against safety D’Cota Dixon #14 of the Wisconsin Badgers on September 22, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

The Bad

Most of what has been bad for Wisconsin is the slow starts. In the first four games, Wisconsin’s point totals after the first quarter have been 7, 3,7, and 0, respectively. Being put in a hole early like that isn’t how you win football games, especially when the offense isn’t as explosive as fans had hoped.

Which leads me to my next point. The Wisconsin offense isn’t that explosive. The biggest plays so far have been Jonathan Taylor runs, mostly against Western Kentucky and New Mexico. The Badgers couldn’t manufacture any big plays against BYU, and it took until the fourth quarter to really see any against Iowa.

If the team is going to start slow, it has to have the ability to make up those differences somehow. Big plays aren’t what Wisconsin usually relies on, but it might have to start. The receiving talent is finally present to help make it happen.

I’m reluctant to mention Alex Hornibrook here after his great game against Iowa. He’s been solid but he hasn’t shown that he’s taken that significant step forward fans were eagerly looking for. His performance against the Hawkeyes was fantastic. The Badgers weren’t winning that game on the ground, though they could have, and relied on Hornibrook to get the job done. His three touchdown passes all showed great poise and accuracy. If he improves from here or just continues to play more as he did against Iowa, consider this a non-issue.