Through their first four games of the year, the Wisconsin Badgers have largely gotten some no good, very bad quarterback play. It did not help that presumptive starter Billy Edwards Jr. has played in essentially two quarters and two additional drives up to this point. Danny O'Neil has been trying really hard backing him up in the first third of the season, but there is a reason why Edwards was the starter.
In Bill Connelly's rankings of the Power Four quarterback rooms through the first month of the season, he had Wisconsin slotted in at a disastrous 62 out of a possible 68 Power Four teams. Only Syracuse, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Northwestern and Kentucky have been worse through the first five weeks of the season than the Badgers. They can only go up from here.
Here are the combined quarterback stats of note Connelly used to make his claims about Wisconsin.
- Total QBR: 36.2
- Passing Yards: 753
- Rushing Yards: 138
- Total Touchdowns: 6
If there is anything to hang their hat on, it is that Wisconsin has been great on run defense. While the pass rush has been there at times too, the Badgers really need for something to click on offense. Although the offensive line may continue to resemble a wet paper bag for the duration in Madison, there is a chance that a healthy Edwards could be some variation of masking agent for the offense.
Perhaps he could be the saving grace to potentially save Wisconsin's season and Luke Fickell's job?
Billy Edwards Jr. has to be a catalyst for change in this Wisconsin offense
Whenever that day comes where Edwards can start a game and finish one in Wisconsin, that sure will be sweet. What is important to know is if the drop-off from Edwards to O'Neil is as steep as it appears to be, then getting a healthy Edwards back could drastically improve Wisconsin's offense and the season's fortune. Of course, players who get will continue to get hurt, so this may be wishful thinking.
In the end, Wisconsin landed Edwards in the transfer portal to be a catalyst for change for them offensively. Wisconsin is not often a bastion for great quarterback play, but there have been a few good ones to come through the door not that long ago, namely Russell Wilson and Scott Tolzien. Edwards was thought to be cut from a similar cloth as them, but he remains so largely unproven.
Ultimately, the only way for Wisconsin to get back to respectability this season is to have a healthy Edwards carving up the Big Ten secondaries on the Badgers' schedule. After an 0-1 start to league play, the Badgers must play .500 football to go bowling. Maryland was their easiest game and lost it. Perhaps Edwards could help them win vs. Iowa, Washington, Minnesota and then maybe one more?
The stats suggest that the longer O'Neil plays and starts for the Badgers, the worse off they will be.