The non-contact injury to starting Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. was alarming. Wisconsin fans everywhere were holding their heads in disbelief. Year three of the starter going down early in the season to injury. However, after the game, Luke Fickell and even players felt positive that Edwards was going to be fine. He wasn't in a boot; he was on the sideline, and now Luke Fickell has an easy decision for next week.
Luke Fickell needs to rest him against Middle Tennessee. Let Danny O'Neil get all the first-team reps this week. He already has moxie; give him a little bit more. Give Edwards a full two weeks to rest whatever it is that sent him to the turf and get ready for Alabama.
The Badgers just beat the Miami (OH) Redhawks basically without Edwards, and the Redhawks could do laps around Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders are not nearly as quality an opponent as Miami (OH). It's literally the only easy game the Badgers have all season. They need to let O'Neil get more Wisconsin experience and give Edwards time to heal.
Billy Edwards needs to rest, Danny O'Neil needs the reps: Win-Win
Related: Slow-motion clip of the Billy Edwards Jr. injury has Wisconsin fans fearing the worst
Honestly, O'Neil's performance was pretty inspiring. Sure, he made a couple of bone-headed decisions, and Luke Fickell actually mentioned both in his press conference after the game. But O'Neil is only a sophomore, and he's still learning that he can't get away with the same stuff he could in high school or even at San Diego State.
Throwing a quick out all the way across the field isn't smart and usually leads to a pick-six; he's lucky it didn't. And then the forced throw into the endzone on 4th down was another overly confident call that led to an interception. Those are the two poor decisions, and Fickell said he will be learning from them.
That said, O'Neil played with a ton of moxie. He was confident, he extended plays, and he didn't look lost out there like Wisconsin fans are used to seeing from the backup. Give him next week, bring Edwards back for Alabama, if his injury isn't long-term.