It has become a trend and bordering on becoming a nasty habit. Through the first three games of the season for the Wisconsin Badgers, they have put forth six rather pitiful quarters in the first half. They could not do much offensively vs. whoever they were playing. Whether it was Week 1 at home vs. Miami (OH), Week 2 at home vs. Middle Tennessee or at Alabama in Week 3, it has not mattered at all!
If Wisconsin has any aspirations about starting the season out 3-0, Luke Fickell needs to do a better job of motivating his players. Whatever game plan the Badgers have put forth each week has gone kaputt shortly before halftime. While the Badgers responded in the second half of their first two games of the season, playing in hostile territory at Alabama seems like it might be too tall of an ask.
The big key here has been the pace and overall ineffectiveness of Jeff Grimes' offense. This may be his first season on the job in Wisconsin, but the results have not been up to par in the early part of any of the Badgers' first three games this year. If Wisconsin is a second-half team, the Badgers are going to have to show it right away because this thing in Tuscaloosa may get out of hand in the third quarter.
It is not about Alabama having better athletes over Wisconsin, this is about something much deeper.
What is causing Wisconsin to be lethargic in the first half of these games?
Heading into halftime down 21-0 to No. 19 Alabama, one thing has become apparent with this Badgers team. The offensive line is going to be a yearlong problem for Fickell, Grimes and the rest of the coaching staff. Starting center Jake Renfro coming in hurt, and then getting hurt again, is not going to help Danny O'Neil and the rest of the offense operate on any real schedule moving forward.
O'Neil did not have much time to work with on offense. He was sacked three times by the relentless Alabama pass rush. While his poorly-timed interception after a turnover on downs midfield by Alabama flipped the game in the Crimson Tide's favor, what else can he do when the offensive line is giving him nothing? Wisconsin was averaging just over one yard per rushing attempt in the first half...
Overall, it is not out of the realm of possibility that this game turns ugly, based on a confidence shift into Alabama's direction. Ty Simpson has been pressured, but he has been able to throw the ball downfield with conviction, while O'Neil has been mostly scrambling for his life back there. The worst thing that could have happened for Wisconsin did in the first 30 minutes. They are down bad already...
It will take a second half for the ages for the Badgers to have any hope to stun the Crimson Tide.