Wisconsin's offensive coordinator isn't shy about the fact that last year's offense was miserable. It was the laughing stock of the Big Ten, and while a lot of it was outside of his control in terms of roster management and injuries, he is willing to own that he has to improve for 2026 too. Yet, the offense was such a joke that he used jokes to talk about how much better the team will be this season.
When asked by reporters what a couple of ways that the Badgers can be better on offense this season, he laughed and said, "Only two?! Run the ball better and throw it better. How about that?" Which was met with the laughter he intended. Which is as accurate as you can be, but he does talk about what that looks like and explains why the 2026 offense will be remarkably different.
OC Jeff Grimes was asked for a couple ways the offense could be better this year. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/MLQHZh4hNG
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) August 5, 2026
Jeff Grimes explains the offensive improvement he is fully expecting for this season
Related: Kevin Heywood just explained why Wisconsin's offensive line feels completely different
Grimes went on to say that he hates to talk about last season, as his full focus is on 2026 and the new roster, players, and schemes he has for the season. The reality is, he, like everyone, would like to toss 2025 out the window and pretend it never existed, but it's not a run-and-hide; it's more of a turning a new page. The 2026 chapter is upon the team, and he's looking forward to that.
He said a couple of key stats that they want to highlight are running the football better. This last year, Luke Fickell had a bunch of alumni come in, and most, if not all, of them talked about the history of Wisconsin football and the run game. That's going to be a key to success this season and why that room and the offensive line room are so loaded.
Grimes mentions the dual-threat ability of Colton Joseph as being part of the improvement and how the offense is way more complete this season. But maybe most importantly, and it's really a throwback, and yet a modern spin on Wisconsin football, is that Grimes said, "We want to be the toughest team in the Big Ten. And if we're going to be the toughest team in the Big 10, it starts with our offensive line, and it starts in fall camp."
The defense last year for the Wisconsin Badgers was solid and kept the team in games, but the offense couldn't get anything going. The offensive line, the injuries at quarterback, and the inability to make plays cost the team in each and every game. This season, Grimes and Fickell have built a way better offense with a deeper and more physical offensive line and a running back room that is deeper than it's ever been. Add in a healthy quarterback and some playmakers at wide-out, and this team really could be humming in 2026.
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