An Inescapable Nightmare

Although Russell had a stellar fourth quarter, a lack
of offense during the second and third
might have cost the Badgers a Rose Bowl berth. 

Did that just really happen… again!?  Another weekend ruined due to the late game heroics of an opposing team's quarterback and a failed prevent defense.  How can we let this happen again?  How can we put ourselves in this situation again?  How do special teams and our defense fail us...again?!! (Seems like I am saying again a lot) Badger fans across the country are asking themselves those questions.  Some are even questioning the coaching staff.

                After two tragic finishes, those questions are legitimate ones to ask.   This is shaping up to be one of the most disappointing season’s in recent Badger history, if not ever.  Prior to Russell’s transfer, I had hopes of Rose Bowl redemption.  Now, we have dug ourselves into a hole and we need help to make the Big Ten Championship game.  Nine days ago we were a shoe-in and the discussion was who would be the opposition.  Now after last night, it has all gone astray.  

Once again, the Badgers came roaring out of the gate last night to score on their second drive and it looked like we would roll over the Buckeyes.  However we did not put points on the board again until there was five minutes left in the third quarter.  What were we doing during that 30 minute time span?  We have one of the most efficient offenses in the country with weapons all over the field.  It is inexcusable that we could not score during that time frame.  Not to mention we were able to cross the goal line twice in the last four minutes of the game.  Where was that urgency during the whole game, why were we not able to move the ball on the Buckeyes the other 40 minutes?  (It all seems oddly familiar to last Saturday)

What is lost in all of this is Russell’s performance.  He had another stellar performance on paper along with two drives in the last four minutes to give Wisconsin the lead.  The run was clearly not working at the beginning of the game.  Had we let Russell throw more, we might have been able to open it up to allow the Badgers to get more points on the board earlier on.  This is my one complaint for Mr. Wilson.  As a leader of the team, Russell needs to take over the game when he sees our offense faltering.  Russell eventually did this but it was too little to late.  We should have been up 2 - 3 scores on the Buckeyes yet were only up three points.  

 Ohio State was shutting down our run early and often.  We were about 150 yards short of our average.  This is due to our offensive line was playing with no tenacity.  They were getting dominated by Ohio States front four giving up three sacks, getting called for crucial false starts, allowing pressure on Russell, and providing no holes for our backs.  It is a young line, and that seemed to show on Saturday night. 

The Badgers only netted 89 yards on Saturday night,
well below their season average. 

 The same goes for our special teams.  You would think after last week’s disaster our coaches would have been all over them in practice.  Apparently not enough; another blocked punt lead to a Buckeye score to give them a double digit lead.  The same goes for our prevent defense.  AGAIN, we lose in a last minute play on (a now boycotted word in Madison) another Hail Mary.   This is inexcusable to happen for a second week in a row.  Now in a span of 8 days, the season is hanging on by thread. 

                After last weekend, Badger fans thought the nightmare was over only to see it re-appear on Halloween weekend.  We no longer control our own destiny which is a worst case scenario for a team heading into the final month of the season.  In order to make it to the Big Ten Championship, Wisconsin needs Penn State to lose 1 of their next 2 games and Ohio State to lose 1 of their next 4 games they play .  This scenario is possible as Penn State has to play Nebraska at home and at Ohio State.  Ohio State has a game at the Big House and the Wolverines are thirsty to end their 7 game losing streak to Brutus.  Either way, it is not a good feeling.  What looked like a year where Badger fans could be heading to New Orleans, we are now praying at an opportunity to go to Indy.

*After Thought – I still think the Badgers will make it to the Big Ten Championship game.  We will see Penn State lose at home to Nebraska and also OSU on the road.  I lastly think OSU will lose at the Big House giving the Wolverines a chance in Indy.