Badger of Honor
Fansided

Wisconsin Football has new season goals after loss to Northwestern

By Tanner Nestle

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 13: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers throws a pass during warmups prior to playing the Michigan Wolverines on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 13: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers throws a pass during warmups prior to playing the Michigan Wolverines on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin Badgers - Isaiahh Loudermilk
MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 30: Isaiahh Loudermilk (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Finish the season healthy

The worst part of football is how easy it is to get hurt. Wisconsin is experiencing this first hand with all the injuries on defense. What makes injuries worse is when they come at a time when there is very little to play for. An injury in the fourth quarter of a blowout is more devastating than one that comes in the first quarter of a game that matters.

Wisconsin has to finish the season without taking on any more significant injuries. Not just for guys like Jonathan Taylor who will be significant pieces of next year’s team, but for guys like David Edwards who will be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft next spring.

You can take this a step further and apply it to guys like Ryan Connelly. He won’t be a high draft pick, but he’ll likely still compete for a roster spot. If he isn’t healthy and able to compete, it could be the end of his football career.

The Badgers do still have things to play for, and even if it is the smart decision to do so, it isn’t like them to have players dropping out or quitting to protect themselves for the future. An injury at this stage of the season is crushing. Player safety is the primary concern moving forward. There isn’t much you can do preemptively due to the nature of the sport, but it’s something to watch closely.