Wisconsin escaped Penn State with a win, but the Badgers also walked out of Happy Valley carrying a warning label. Luke Fickell said after the game that Wisconsin got away with two things that are not winning recipes, and the tape backs that up. If the Badgers want to avoid getting tripped up by Michigan State, they have to clean up the self-inflicted damage.
The first problem is the one that keeps biting teams on the road: penalties. Wisconsin was flagged nine times for 52 yards, while Penn State had just three penalties for 15 yards.
Five of Wisconsin’s penalties were false starts, which makes the whole thing even more painful. Some of that can be blamed on the environment, but the Badgers cannot keep handing out free yardage like that and expect it to work every week.
The ground game is the other area that needs a real push. Wisconsin has not been a strong rushing team this season, and that is a tough look for a program built around running backs.
The Badgers technically edged Penn State on the ground, 120-119, but that number doesn’t tell the whole story. Once quarterback rushing yards are removed, Penn State finished with 96 rushing yards to Wisconsin’s 81.
If Wisconsin wants to stay out of trouble against Michigan State, getting the run game going has to be a major priority. A Badger back going over 100 yards would go a long way.
Then there’s the biggest mess of all: turnovers. Colton Joseph threw three interceptions, and one of them went back for a pick-six.
Those mistakes cost Wisconsin 14 points. By halftime, it looked bad enough that fans were ready to move on from him entirely, but Joseph settled in during the third and fourth quarters and helped the Badgers rally from 17-0 down.
Even with the comeback, the numbers are ugly. Wisconsin lost the turnover battle 3-1 against Penn State and still survived, but that kind of margin usually gets a team beat.
If Michigan State wins this weekend, it will probably be because it wins that battle. Wisconsin can’t afford to hand over points and possessions again.
In Other News...
Wisconsin Faces A Bigger Test Than Fans May Expect Saturday
Wisconsin heads into Saturday with some momentum after a significant comeback win and a 3-1 start that includes a conference victory. On paper, the matchup with Michigan State looks favorable for the Badgers, too, with advanced models and betting markets both leaning Wisconsin by a margin close to the 9.5-point spread.
Still, the Badgers are getting a tougher test than the records might suggest. Wisconsins defense has been far sturdier than Michigan States, especially against the run, but the Spartans bring a slightly more efficient offense into the game even after losing a key running back for the season. For Wisconsin, the challenge is less about whether it should win and more about whether it can keep control against a team that has enough on offense to make things uncomfortable. [Read more 🡒]
Camp Randall Has A Chance To Feel Different For Wisconsin Again
Camp Randall has spent much of the Luke Fickell era trying to recapture the old energy that once made it one of the toughest places to play in the Big Ten. Wisconsins struggles on the field have shown up in the stands, too, with attendance and atmosphere sagging as the program searched for traction. But a recent win over Penn State gave the stadium a jolt, and it has already started to show up in the form of renewed interest around the next home date.
Michigan State comes to Madison on a weekend that already has plenty built around it, with Homecoming and the start of Wisconsins mens hockey season adding to the buzz. The bigger test is whether the Badgers can keep the momentum going in conference play and give the fan base a reason to keep turning out in force. If they do, Camp Randall could start to feel different again. [Read more 🡒]
Luke Fickell Still Faces One Wisconsin Question After Huge Win
Wisconsins early-season turnaround has changed the tone around Luke Fickell in a hurry. After a 3-1 start and a standout win over No. 13 Penn State, the Badgers have given their coach something every program wants in the fall: momentum, a little breathing room, and a clearer case that the heavy investment in the transfer portal is paying off.
Still, the bigger conversation in Madison may not be settled by one strong run. With a new athletic director coming into place and other coaching names already tied loosely to Wisconsin, Fickells status could become part of an offseason review rather than a simple in-season judgment. The wins have helped, but they have not erased the possibility that the next decision about the programs direction will come with a full set of competing voices attached. [Read more 🡒]