I posed a question on Facebook that reads, "What does Wisconsin need to show against EMU to prove they're ready for Penn State?"It created a decent amount of engagement, as fans aren't quite settled with this 2026 Wisconsin Badger team. There hasn't been a game this season in which fans walked away going, "We can win with this squad." Yet, every Badger fan wants to feel that way.
So what would it take for Wisconsin to put you at ease before Big Ten play? What are the things you want to see against Eastern Michigan that will make you feel better about Penn State (and beyond)? If you want to answer that, feel free to head over to the Badger of Honor Facebook page and jump into the discussion.
Let me answer the question for myself. Here are the four things I want to see to feel better about the 2026 Wisconsin Badgers.
1. An offense that can consistently sustain drives
The offense has been a disappointment so far this year in terms of consistency. We have seen some explosive plays, we've seen big runs, and even an offensive line that's keeping the quarterback clean. What we haven't seen is an offense that can march down the field on a semi-regular basis. It's never fair to expect any team, even National Championship teams, to do this every drive, but the best teams sustain drives on a regular basis.
With that comes better quarterback play, which leads us into number two.
2. Colton Joseph needs to look like the quarterback Wisconsin needs
Joseph even called his own play through two weeks "mediocre." Honestly, that's probably fair, though some fans may say it's still too kind. He simply wasn't good against Western Illinois, and it's a good thing the opponent was an FCS team because it didn't matter in terms of winning and losing. But it will soon, and Joseph has to be better. Joseph needs to look like the quarterback Wisconsin needs.
That doesn't mean he needs to be a magician, but he has to be able to play his role and play it really well. To help sustain drives, to create plays with his feet, to find and hit the open receivers. Against Eastern Michigan, I want to see a better version of Joseph.
3. Wisconsin needs to finish a game
The Badgers may be the best team in the nation at starting football games. For about eight minutes, there may not be a better team. Against Notre Dame, the Badgers looked like a CFP team going toe-to-toe with another CFP team. Against Western Illinois, Wisconsin was up 17-0 after just a few minutes. And then in both games, it was like the Badgers hit a wall and started playing poorly.
For 60 minutes on Saturday, we want to see a team that starts, sustains, and finishes a game. A team that stays physically dominant the whole game.
4. A defense that can get off the field
It's hard watching Wisconsin put together a "bend but don't break" strategy against an FCS opponent. Western Illinois found ways to march down the field and keep drives alive, and while they were unsuccessful in scoring every time they got the ball, it was exhausting to see Wisconsin get dinked and dunked on by the Leathernecks.
Wisconsin has to find a way to get off the field. That will come with turnovers (Wisconsin hasn't had any) and sacks (barely any).
This is the way to make me feel better heading into Big Ten play, how about you?
Add us as a preferred source on Google