Rutgers heads to Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon with a chance to do something the program has never done: beat the Badgers.
The Scarlet Knights enter at 2-6 overall and 1-4 in Big Ten play, while Wisconsin sits at 5-3 and 3-2. Ahead of the matchup, The Daily Targum spoke with Luca Muehlbauer, a sports editor for The Daily Cardinal, for a read on where the Badgers stand heading into the final stretch.
At the center of the conversation is head coach Luke Fickell, now in his fourth season. After a strong start and a finish last season that included upsets of two ranked opponents, Fickell is no longer under the same pressure he once was. Wisconsin’s current record and the shape of the schedule have changed the tone around him.
“I would think that many people would be fine with him sticking around for one more year,” Muehlbauer said. “If they can't end the season 3-1 or 4-0, I would say a lot of people are going to be disappointed.”
The offense has been the bigger talking point, and not always for the right reasons. Second-year offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes has the unit working with transfer quarterback Colton Joseph, who came over from Old Dominion and has given Wisconsin a needed spark. He has also been inconsistent.
“Consistency just doesn't exist for Wisconsin football,” Muehlbauer said of the Badgers' offense. “It's kind of just you hope for the best.”
Joseph has been productive on the ground, leading the team with 365 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Through the air, he has thrown for 1,256 yards and 11 touchdowns, but his 55.6 percent completion rate reflects the uneven nature of the passing game. In Wisconsin’s last game against Iowa, he completed only five passes and was benched in the fourth quarter.
“I feel like he will probably bounce back,” Muehlbauer said. “Joseph can, more than anything, rush the ball because, passing-wise, he's no Russell Wilson, he's no Peyton Manning.”
Wisconsin still has help in the backfield behind Joseph. Darrion Dupree and Abu Sama III have combined for 555 rushing yards on 111 carries, averaging exactly five yards per carry, and they have scored five touchdowns between them.
“I think they've had their ups and downs, but definitely solid players,” Muehlbauer said.
The receiving group has had its own mix of names. Eugene Hilton Jr. has been one of the more entertaining players to watch in his sophomore season, with 14 catches for 143 yards in eight games. Chris Brooks Jr. and Tyrell Henry have produced more yardage, with Henry pacing the group at 397 receiving yards on 30 receptions and Brooks adding 252 yards and three touchdowns.
“He's always been a fun guy to watch, even if he doesn't get the most receiving yards or anything like that,” Muehlbauer said.
Wisconsin’s defense has been the steadier side of the ball, and fourth-year defensive coordinator Mike Tressel has gotten strong work from the unit. That defense helped the Badgers knock off offensive juggernaut USC.
Outside linebacker Sebastian Cheeks has been one of the standouts, piling up six sacks, eight tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Muehlbauer called him the leader up front.
“He's definitely the leader on that D-Line,” Muehlbauer said.
Linebacker Mason Posa has also made his mark, leading the Big Ten with 40 solo tackles while adding five tackles for loss and an interception. Safety Matt Jung has become a key piece as well after making the jump from Division III to the Big Ten, and in two seasons has totaled 49 tackles, five pass deflections, a forced fumble and an interception.
With four winnable games left, Muehlbauer sees a path for Wisconsin to finish well - but also knows how quickly the mood can turn if that doesn’t happen.
“I think there's a good chance (the Badgers) have a good end to the year,” Muehlbauer said. “If not, I think it's gonna be a struggle, and I don't think people are gonna be very happy with Fickell.”
For Saturday, he expects Wisconsin to handle Rutgers by two scores at home.
“I would say probably like a 21-7 win or something like that,” Muehlbauer said. “I don't expect Rutgers to score much on (the Badgers') defense.”
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