Reflections and Musings on the Wisconsin Badgers Season
With the 2023 regular season in the rearview mirror, I reflect on the Badgers' shortcomings and give some long-form opinions.
In the wake of the Wisconsin football team's 28-14 triumph over Minnesota in the regular-season finale, a few reflections emerged about the current state and future trajectory of the Badgers under Luke Fickell.
Wisconsin is entering a college football dead period, if you will, preparing for a late-December bowl game after a much-needed break.
Despite finishing 7-5 overall and 5-4 in the Big Ten, tied for second in the West, the season is undoubtedly viewed as a disappointment relative to preseason expectations. Particularly when many, myself included, thought there was a clear path to the league title game for Wisconsin.
Despite their shortcomings, there were moments of resilience and promise. The Badgers rallied in their final two games, showcasing Fickell's emphasis on toughness and resiliency within the program.
Challenges persist in the Big Ten, especially in an 18-team league. Upgrading talent and aligning skill sets with the systems at hand remains a priority for the Wisconsin football coaching staff.
The recent wins against Nebraska and Minnesota, though against 5-7 teams, signify an encouraging turning point for the Badgers' future.
That said, Wisconsin has several questions to answer this offseason to begin competing for 'championships.' Let's examine — from my perspective — what they are — and add a few musings of my own to reflect on the 2023 season.
Wisconsin’s Offensive Line Play Must Improve
Wisconsin's offensive line, a topic of discussion over recent seasons, displayed marked improvement against Minnesota. The unit's collective performance, devoid of penalties and yielding zero sacks, stood out, signaling potential amidst disappointment. Yet, impending changes loom with potential departures like Jack Nelson and Michael Furtney.
Jack Bicknell talked about wanting to rotate seven or eight players during the offseason, but that number quickly dwindled to five or six. Either way, the unit collectively played their best ball by the season's end.
So, the million-dollar question becomes, how do they build on that?
Are in-house options such as Tredy Wedig, Nolan Rucci, Jake Renfro, and Joe Brunner ready to push for starting roles? Or will the Badgers need to dip into the transfer portal to field a competitive starting five?
UW also has five incoming scholarship freshmen joining the program — and there will assuredly be offseason departures as well. The bigger picture will come into focus between now and spring ball, but improved & consistent offensive line play is a must.
The Badgers Quarterback Situation
Then, there's the quarterback situation. Tanner Mordecai exhibited leadership and grit despite an injury-riddled season. Although he didn't produce the eye-popping numbers many were hoping for, Mordecai gave the Badgers everything he had and then some.
The challenge Wisconsin football faces for the future will be filling his void after the bowl game, as other quarterbacks on the roster lack meaningful experience.
You could argue that Braedyn Locke showed enough to assume the reigns as QB1 in 2024 — but the Wisconsin Badgers would probably be wise to explore proven options in the transfer portal that can help elevate the team's offense under Phil Longo.
Despite the offensive struggles this season, Longo's play-calling against Minnesota showcased the scheme's potential when it's appropriately tailored to the personnel at their disposal.
The offensive coordinator experienced a steeper learning curve than most expected — but having a better understanding of the Wisconsin football team's culture — and adding a few hand-picked additions in the portal — should reflect a more refined approach in the future.
Call me biased, but I'm reasonably confident the Wisconsin Badgers will finish better than No. 75 in total offense (370.8 YPG) and No. 101 in scoring offense (22.8 PPG) again next season. Time will tell, though.
Wisconsin Needs More Playmakers on Defense
Defensively, the Wisconsin football program faced myriad challenges in their first season under Mike Tressel.
There were maddening inconsistencies in stopping opponents on opening drives — and if we're being honest, the first half of games overall were often a disaster. I'm still scared by what Georgia Southern QB Davis Brin did to the Badgers (minus the ungodly amount of INTs).
However, Coach Tressel did a masterful job of making adjustments at halftime of games — which also deserves mentioning. But that hot and cold product leaves me uncertain of how to feel about his first year as the Badgers defensive coordinator.