Why 'The Mechanic' is the fixer the Wisconsin football defense needs

Colten Bartholomew
Sep 3, 2025
Sep 3, 2025 Updated Sep 6, 2025

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Preston Zachman had more clean-up duty Tuesday after one of the best games of his University of Wisconsin football career.

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Fans see plenty of areas for improvement in Wisconsin football's uninspiring opening win

Let's savor this one

1 of their 4 win season.
— Jeff Seaman (@JeffSeaman2) August 29, 2025

I mean ...

They won, I guess
— Cønnør (@DTownCnnrBrown) August 29, 2025

Show me something, coach

Defense seems respectable again. Offense was trash. Fickell has not shown his worth still.
— Fra Girolamo (@FraGirolamo1) August 29, 2025

Honest assessment

Eh…a lot of room for improvement on offense.

Defense looked legit against an out classed opponent.

LT has to get solved. He isn’t BIG caliber.
— Pierre (@pierre6743) August 29, 2025

Need a solution up front

Like the RBs and the general energy and enthusiasm of the team. The OL is a massive disappointment. Again. Hard to understand what is going on there, but this team is going nowhere with this OL.
— ryebadger (@ryebadger1) August 29, 2025

Could try this

They need to feed the OL some red meat
— Tom Neises (@NeisesTom) August 29, 2025

Are the Badgers jinxed?

Badgers can’t catch a break at QB. Edwards was looking promising before his injury. O’Neil stepped in and got job done but struggled under pressure — which will be an issue when the schedule gets tougher and if Edwards is still out.
But D was solid and a win is a win is a win
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 29, 2025

Liking the view

Schematically? Looks like Wisconsin again thank god
Defense outstanding
Danny stepped in nicely
Season hinges on Edwards health
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) August 29, 2025

Strike a pose

Preston Zachman for Heisman
— travis bruyere (@TravisBruyere) August 29, 2025

Everything gonna be all right

Slow start (surprise!), but of the four Big 10 teams kicking the season off, Badgers had the largest margin of victory and the most dominant performance. Receivers didn’t seem to create separation, but the only glaring weakness was left tackle, so if they can figure that out,…
— End game (@ItsWhoYouKnow_) August 29, 2025

Looking good ... off the field

At least fans got LED bracelets!
— Kevin Gratz (@kevin_gratz) August 29, 2025

Needed more

Even with Edwards, the offense didn't look great - run or pass. Defense looks much better, albeit against MAC opponent.

With the #2 SOS and 'Bama on the schedule in 2 weeks, I was really hoping to see much, much more.
— Daniel Konar (@daniel_konar) August 29, 2025