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Luke Fickell wasn't the only Wisconsin coach exposed in brutal showing vs. Iowa

Where was the defense all night?
Braulio Perez
Braulio Perez

Badger of Honor

Wisconsin Badgers defensive Coordinator Mike Tressel runs through a drill during fall training camp at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. / Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Back to the drawing board for the Wisconsin Badgers. The bye week is going to feel extra long for this team, as absolutely nothing went right for Luke Fickell and Co. in their rivalry showdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City.

Countless people are furious with Fickell, blasting him on social media for the team's terrible performance. He's not the only coach that people aren't happy with, though. The Wisconsin defense couldn't stop a nosebleed in Week 10.

That's on defensive coordinator Mike Tressel. He knew that the Badgers were going to have their hands full with Kaleb Johnson and the Iowa running game, but his plan of attack couldn't have gone worse. Iowa's offense exposed him throughout the night, which was infuriating.

Wisconsin DC Mike Tressel had a night to forget in the loss to Iowa

This was an inexcusable performance from Tressel. Had you told us before the game that the Iowa offense would run for 329 yards, we wouldn't have believed you. That's exactly what happened, however, with Johnson leading the way with his 135 yards and three touchdowns.

Quarterback Brendan Sullivan also delivered running the ball, rushing for 58 yards and a TD. Kamari Moulton added 74 yards, while Jazuin Patterson posted 56 yards and a touchdown. It didn't matter who was running the ball for Iowa, as whoever had the ball in their hands was ready to break free for a solid run.

The passing game was non-existent for the Hawkeyes, with Sullivan completing only 7-of-10 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. We all knew Iowa was going to focus on the rushing attack, but Tressel still wasn't ready. He got his lunch money taken from him by the Iowa offense, which is unacceptable.

This was a big-time rivalry game, but too many people on the Wisconsin sidelines didn't show up with high energy and they simply weren't prepared. Tressel is certainly on the list of people who let Badgers fans down.

Braulio Perez

Braulio Perez

Braulio Perez is an NCAA Content Director for FanSided, joining Minute Media in 2017 after 2.5 years at the Newark Star-Ledger as a high school sports reporter and 2.5 years at the Lynden Tribune as sports editor. While with the Lynden Tribune, Perez was named the Sports Writer of the Year in 2012 for his division by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. At the Star-Ledger, he also assisted in coverage of college football recruiting. Perez's focus has been on college football recruiting, high school sports, the NFL, NCAA and English Premier League. He is also a regular contributor for 247Sports' Cougfan.com.