Even though the betting odds coming in are very much in Wisconsin's favor, Saturday would be an awful time to overlook the promising quarterback for the opposition. ESPN has Wisconsin favored by 9.5 points over Maryland at home on Saturday. It is giving the Badgers over a 69-percent chance of winning the game. For as nice as that may be, Malik Washington is on the verge of becoming a star.
In his first three games with the Terrapins, Washington has completed 62 percent of his passes for 773 yards, six touchdowns and only one interception. On the ground, he has five carries for 28 yards and a touchdown. While the Terrapins played next to nobody in the non-conference, they are one of 30-something undefeated teams still left in FBS. Wisconsin just got its teeth kicked in by Alabama...
A big reason for this is the Badgers' porous pass defense. For as good as they have been on the ground so far (46.3 rushing yards allowed per game), the Badgers have allowed 224.3 per game through the air. It should be noted that vs. Power Four competition, Wisconsin surrendered 382 passing yards to Ty Simpson and the Alabama offense last week. What if Washington feasts here?
With Washington averaging over 257 passing yards per game, Luke Fickell better watch out for him.
Luke Fickell cannot afford for Malik Washington to go off for Maryland
Slowly but surely, Fickell is falling out of favor with Badger Nation. He puts his foot in his mouth at least once a week in every press conference. This defensive-minded head coach is not recruiting to the standard Wisconsin grew accustomed to under his predecessors. While the team has shown ability to adjust at halftime, these slow starts out of the gate in the first half are becoming so old...
To be quite frank, for as challenging of a Big Ten schedule as the Badgers face, what would happen if they were to be upset at home by Maryland? This is arguably the easiest game they have left to play!While much will be made about the idea of if Billy Edwards Jr. will or will not play against his former team, Maryland's new quarterback appears to be a stud. He may be able to save Mike Locksley's job.
Overall, Wisconsin needs to play within itself in all three phases, especially on defense. To expect them to completely shut down Washington and the Maryland offense is a bit too farfetched. He may still get his yards anyway. What is important is to keep Maryland for scoring at will on the Badgers defense. If the Terrapins can settle for field goals, the Wisconsin might be able to improve to 3-1.
For now, Fickell has to prove his worth as the Wisconsin head coach by stifling this true freshman.