The Badgers Are Close, But Unfortunately They Aren't Playing Horseshoes

For the third time this season, Wisconsin was winning at halftime against an AP Top 25 team. And for the third time this season, the Badgers ended up losing the game. Wisconsin held late leads against USC, Penn State and Oregon this year, but ultimately failed to finish. In the Badgers' five losses this season, they have been outscored a combined 108-20 after halftime.

It's encouraging that the team has been close to upsetting top-five teams, but also discouraging that they can't get over the hump. With just two games remaining, and needing to win at least one to be bowl eligible, where does the team go from here?

Wisconsin did hold Oregon to just 16 points, just half of their average scoring output, but the Badger offense just couldn't keep pace. It's been a troubling trend throughout the season where the offense and defense just haven't combined for a complete game. Offensive coordinator Phil Longo has been under heavy scrutiny for is Air Raid offense, or really, lack thereof. A game with only 96 yards passing certainly didn't help his case.

Quarterback Braedyn Locke has caught the brunt of the criticisms on offense, and many fans are calling for Luke Fickell to bench him for freshman Mabrey Mettauer. Keep in mind though, Locke is already the second guy after the team lost starter Tyler Van Dyke in week two. So is a third string freshman really going to save the team? Maybe, but with a 22-year bowl streak on the line, it's hard to see Locke heading to the bench.

Luke Fickell is a good coach, as evidenced by his stellar record at Cincinnati. But maybe Wisconsin wasn't the right program for him. He's tried to completely change the identity, and in the process, has turned the Badgers into an identity-less program that, after two years, is still looking to find themselves. The Air Raid isn't raiding, the defense has been streaky, and Fickell is now 0-6 against ranked teams since coming to Wisconsin. He has a lot to prove over these last two weeks.

The Badgers may not make the sweeping changes over the last two games that some fans might want, but next year is sure to look much different. At 5-5, and depending on how the last two games go, there may be some changes in the coaching staff, and there will almost certainly be a new quarterback. But in the end, the team needs to become a team that can finish, and that's on coaches and players alike to find a way to close out these games.