It has been about five years since the Badgers Football faced the Oregon Ducks, last playing them in 2020 in the Rose Bowl. The Ducks being Ranked #1 in FBS will be a test for Luke Fickell and the team. With the Badgers having a bye week last week, the team is sitting at 5-4. They are right in the middle of the Big10 conference. With the Badgers having three more games left, this game means a lot more to them. They are one win away from being bowl-eligible, and this game would put them one foot forward. It’s going to take everyone to take down Dan Lanning and the Ducks.
With the Ducks being on fire right now and at 10-0, it will be tough to stop Oregon's Offense, averaging 35.7 points per game. With the Badgers ranked 35th of 50 teams, they must focus on many things. We saw the hype going into games against Alabama and Penn State, and the outcome wasn't what we wanted. But What can we expect from the Badgers, and how can they put up a fight against the Ducks? Every Badger fan in Wisconsin wants a win, especially against a Power 5 school. Here's the breakdown of what the Badgers must focus on to bring home a win and become bowl-eligible.
Stop the Turnovers
The Badgers' turnovers haven't been the weakest part of the team, but when they played Penn State and Iowa, it showed that it could hurt the team. With Braedyn Locke throwing an interception every single game he has started, he will be overwhelmed by the Ducks' defense. The Badgers have a -2.0 and are tied for 99th in the FBS. But it is not all bad. Braedyn Locke has shown some glimpses of success and potential. Many things are killing the Badgers right now, as I mentioned, interceptions, but also making bad reads, fumbles, and even fumbling the ball. Braedyn Locke needs to be aware of the pass rushers and where he is throwing the ball; with Oregon's defense ranked #9 in scoring defense, Locke will be overwhelmed in the pocket.
Rushing Game
The Badgers will need to lean more on their running backs this game. With the Badgers using their Air Raid Offense, unexpectedly, it will turn out. Tawee Walker will be the one to look; they will need to open up the gaps, let Walker find the open field, and slowly chop down at the Duck's run defense. Running the ball doesn't always have to come to inside zones or counters. You can throw some sweeps, reverses, or trick plays in there to throw the defense off. It can be different plays over and over, not because they don't work but because you can catch onto it more and stop them. The Badgers can run the ball, as shown throughout the season. The Badgers have the talent and experience to play with any team in the FBS. They are turning into a team that isn't who they are and the organization's history. The Badgers have produced some fantastic running backs such as Melvin Gordon, Braelon Allen, Montee Ball, and Johnathan Taylor [Editors Note: and James White]. So why are we shying away from the run game this year? Suppose the Badgers want to put up a fight against the Ducks. In that case, they will need to utilize all aspects of the Defense and Offense and hammer the rushing game to give them more confidence and a higher chance of scoring.
Stopping the Ducks Offense
With Dillon Gabriel having a fantastic season, being ranked 8th in the top 10 FBS quarterbacks, and throwing for 2,848 yards, it will be tough for the Badgers' defense to stop. The Badgers defense will crumble if they cannot keep everyone in check. The Badgers need more support on the run game, but the secondary is one of the best in the Big 10. This is due to the cornerback Ricardo Hallman, a third-team All-American last season. With quarterbacks not throwing the ball on Ricardo's side of the field, it will be interesting to see how he performs. The Badgers must focus on putting as much pressure on the Ducks' run game as possible and ensure they don’t get significant gains. The Badgers' run offense has been an issue this season, and the Ducks are looking to exploit this. It will be a test to see how Luke Fickell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel's ability to call the right plays and give them a chance to stop an excellent Ducks offense.
With the Badgers' history of playing good teams even before the Big 10 brought in so many top schools, I wonder how the Badgers can adjust to this and manage the schedule leading into next season. The Badgers have the tools and the history to recruit some key stars, but what will it take for the team to get some recognition finally? They can be a good team, but we must build a foundation to attract top recruits and turn Wisconsin into a threat. It will be interesting to see how the Badgers do this Saturday at 6:30 pm at Camp Randall. The Badgers will need to rely on each other and stay calm despite the environment. If the team can capitalize on every part from start to finish, they will have a good chance of beating the Oregon Ducks at home.
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