While the head coach can't control everything, some of why the offensive line is bad is directly attributed to the depth that Luke Fickell has recruited to it. It clearly has problems, especially in the rushing attack. The Badgers, with a room full of stud running backs, can barely get a yard on the ground. Luke Fickell explained in his press conference earlier this week that the problem with the offensive line is "playing redshirt freshman."
"We said it in spring ball, we said it at the beginning of the year. This is not a game meant for redshirt freshmen. In particular, on the offensive line or the defensive line...These guys are being thrust into a situation and I guess an opportunity depending on how you look at it, that they have to grow even faster. "Luke Fickell
He goes on to say how fast they are growing and that it's setting them up well to play their best football at the end of the season. The Badgers' offensive line will only get better. The cool aspect of it, for Fickell, is seeing how huge their growth jumps are.
Wisconsin has 3 redshirt freshmen along their line, and each game they are getting better
Related: PFF grades against Alabama highlight the biggest issue still facing Wisconsin
By the time a player gets to their fifth year, the growth slows down. Right now, they are taking huge steps, and these game reps are helping tremendously.
In the game against Alabama, the offensive line had three different redshirt freshmen playing a crucial role. Ryan Cory thought he was coming into the game as the third-string center, but he was quickly thrust into the spot when starting center Jake Renfro went down with a twisted ankle, and backup Kerry Kodanko struggled.
Emerson Mandell, another redshirt freshman, has now two games under his belt as the starting right tackle. The final redshirt freshman that's been thrust into the opportunity is right guard Colin Cubberly. Which, like Fickell said, is three red-shirt freshmen expected to hold off an Alabama attack in a line that only has five bodies.
To be fair to Fickell, he did try to bring in veteran help, especially at the tackle position with Davis Heizen, but that just hasn't worked out at all. The ceiling is high for these redshirt freshmen, but the struggle is real.
Next game is Saturday against Maryland at 11am CT.