The Badgers won in their season opener, but it wasn't a perfect game by any stretch of the imagination. Up until a botched punt return, Western Michigan had the lead and the momentum in the second half and might have won the game without a lucky Wisconsin bounce. And as of right now, there are a lot of genuine concerns for a team who struggled against a MAC opponent. So what do we need to see from the Badgers in week two against South Dakota to change the narrative?
1. More Big Plays from the Offense
The longest pass of the night was 17 yards and the longest rush was 12. That's fine if the offense is rolling along, but the Badgers had only mustered up 13 points until 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. All summer long fans had been told that offensive coordinator Phil Longo's Air Raid offense would be much improved in 2024 after another year in the system and a new quarterback behind center. The fact is, last week's game didn't look any different from the offensive struggles of 2023. If the Badgers don't take shot shots offensively and look for the explosive plays this week, I'd say the concern is real.
2. More Involvement From Trech Kekahuna
Freshman wide receiver Kekahuna made the most of his limited opportunities, hauling in three catches in just 13 snaps. He was one of the few bright spots on offense, and now fans are calling for the team to run more three and four wide receiver sets to get him on the field. The Badgers run a decent amount of two tight end sets, but maybe a shift away from that could be the best move for the offense.
3. Better Defense Up Front
We all knew the defensive line would be a problem, especially after the James Thompson Jr. injury, but it may a bigger issue than we initially thought. The front was gashed for 120 yards on the ground, which could've been more had Western Michigan not had to play catch-up after their muffed punt. The Badger front also essentially generated no pressure on the quarterback, something that the team struggled with last year as well. I want to see several sacks and tackles for loss this weekend to feel at least a little better about this unit.
4. A Blowout
Let's be honest, if the Badgers don't win by at least 20, the same concerns from week one will only get amplified. Heading into week three against Alabama, anything short of a blowout against FCS school South Dakota will plummet fan's confidence in the team. The Badgers need to get aggressive and win with authority.