Look back at Wisconsin’s Week 1 win and 3 questions about South Dakota
Badgers reporter Mark Stewart looks back at Wisconsin’s win over Western Michigan and previews a battle with South Dakota on Saturday.
WISCONSIN (1-0) VS. SOUTH DAKOTA (1-0)
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison.
TV: FS1 with Eric Collins (play-by-play) and Spencer Tillman (analyst).
Radio: FM-97.3 and AM-920 in Milwaukee and a state network with Matt Lepay (play-by-play), Mark Tauscher (analysis) and Patrick Herb (sideline).
Line: N/A
Series: Wisconsin leads the series, 2-0.
Coaches: Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell (9-6, second season; 72-31, eighth season overall) vs. South Dakota’s Bob Nielson (43-38, ninth season; 229-125-1, 32nd year overall).
More: Week 2 Wisconsin football two-deep for South Dakota
FOUR STORYLINES TO WATCHCan the Badgers offense get explosive?
Wisconsin didn’t have any explosive plays (gains of 20 yards or longer) last week and rarely attempted to stretch the defense. Fickell and quarterback Tyler Van Dyke attributed the lack of downfield throws to Western Michigan’s scheme, which was bent on denying big pass plays. South Dakota might employ a similar philosophy defensively, but UW must figure out a way to breakthrough, nonetheless.
Will Wisconsin finish drives?
The reality is that if UW handled business in the red zone last week its game with Western Michigan would have been in hand midway through the third quarter rather than being decided in the fourth. Myriad issues hampered the Badgers efforts inside the 20. Let’s see what they’ve learned.
How deep will UW go into its defensive line, will the unit have an impact?
Over the course of the season the Badgers are going to need to develop depth and playmakers on the defensive line. Spreading in-game opportunities will help that process, but last week UW didn’t go as deep as expected with senior Elijah Hills, redshirt junior Brandon Lane and freshman Dillan Johnson not getting as many snaps as imagined. Fickell says that will change this week. ”It’s physical in there and whether it’s 50 or 60 plays in a game we’ve got to do a better of balancing, making sure those other guys get in there and we will,” Fickell said.
Will the Badgers give their fans something to be excited about?
The Badgers need a strong effort in all facets of the game to build momentum for what will be a major challenge to complete the non-conference portion of their schedule. Fourth-ranked Alabama comes to town next week. Now is the time for the Badgers to iron out kinks and fine-tune their play in all phases of the game.
More: Days after his mother’s death, Wisconsin’s Aaron Witt honored her with return to Camp Randall
More: Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker keeps losses to minimum, brings punch to ground game
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Publish date : 2024-09-06 03:28:00
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