Wisconsin is making a quarterback switch for Saturday’s game against Rutgers, and true freshman Ryan Hopkins is the one expected to take the first snap.
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, starter Colton Joseph is dealing with an injury and is not expected to start in Week 10. Hopkins, who was the backup, is set for his first career start for the Badgers.
The move comes after Hopkins already got a taste of the job in Wisconsin’s 30-0 loss to Iowa on Halloween. He entered in the fourth quarter after Joseph struggled again and failed to get over 100 passing yards. Hopkins finished that game 8-of-13 for 93 yards with an interception.
Joseph is expected to dress and be available if needed, but the expectation is that he’ll be on the bench when Wisconsin faces Rutgers.
It’s a significant shift with four games left in the season, especially after head coach Luke Fickell tried to push back this week against the idea of a quarterback controversy.
Still, this has the feel of a change in direction more than anything else. Joseph hasn’t appeared on the Badgers’ injury report all week, and the fact that he’s reportedly available Saturday suggests the issue may not be severe. If he can suit up, it’s fair to wonder how much the injury alone explains the move.
The matchup also gives Hopkins a favorable landing spot. Rutgers’ defense ranks 123rd nationally and its passing defense sits 90th. Wisconsin already knows Joseph can handle weaker competition, whether that’s been in buy games like Western Illinois and Eastern Michigan or against lower-tier Big Ten opponents such as Michigan State.
What the Badgers need now is a better read on the freshman. Joseph’s struggles against stronger defenses have become part of the conversation, and this looks like a chance for Wisconsin to see whether Hopkins can give them something more stable.
If Hopkins plays well, Wisconsin could decide to ride with him. The next three games are Maryland, Purdue and then Minnesota, and if the freshman can stack together three solid Big Ten performances before the Axe game, the Badgers would be in a much better position heading into a matchup that could have major implications for Fickell.
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