Welcome back to the Open Jim mailbag, where one reader believes a potential solution for the University of Wisconsin football team's issues on offense can be found in Titletown of all places.
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What do you see as realistic expectations for this years MBB program? Given the influx of new faces and youth on the team, where do you see it having the potential to be different from past teams?
— Andrew Zimdars (@andrew_zimdars) October 18, 2021
Why are many Badger fans calling for Head Coach Paul Chryst to be fired & replaced by Jim Leonhard? This is a down season that Barry Alvarez had during several years of his 16 year tenure. BA didn’t defeat Iowa until 1997. 1994-1996 wasn’t the greatest. Same for 2001-2004.
— Jeff Ostach (@jeff_ostach) October 18, 2021
Mel Tucker and MSU embraced the transfer portal last year, even creating a "college scouting" group to make sure they were getting the right type of players in the program. Has UW done this, or will they?
— Keith Schmidt (@madtownkeith) October 18, 2021
Brady Quinn said that he thought HS spread QBs generally have trouble with pre-snap reads in a pro-style college offense. To what extent is that the source of Mertz's struggles?
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) October 18, 2021
Is the realistic best case scenario for Mertz in the games down the stretch completing 55% of passes for about 120 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs … and getting sacked about 3 times?
— Badger Local (@BadgerLocal) October 18, 2021
What’s the biggest position liability for the #Badgers for the remainder of the season?
— Badger Local (@BadgerLocal) October 18, 2021
Any chance Luke Getsy would be available as OC for #Badgers ?
— Trader 8 Ball (@trader8ball) October 18, 2021
How much longer can the Packer D hold out given the injuries?
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) October 18, 2021
Will the Packers ever not give up a red zone score? Yeesh
— whitey (@Whiteywilhelm) October 18, 2021
Badgers fans on Twitter see some signs of life after Wisconsin takes down Army — but not everyone's sold
High hopes crushed again
Every time I watch Mertz I think it’s going to be the game he turns it around and shows something and every game it’s more underwhelming play. I really don’t know how anything we see from this passing game puts us in position to beat Purdue and Iowa coming up
— Andrew Zimdars (@andrew_zimdars) October 17, 2021
Room for debate
Won’t matter with this QB
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) October 17, 2021
Holding out hope
Wisconsin’s defense got the job done. Their offense did just enough to win. Graham Mertz is still a work in progress, and I’m not optimistic that he can lead the team to a win at Purdue or Iowa at home in the next two weeks.
— Jeff Ostach (@jeff_ostach) October 17, 2021
Nothing new to see here
Other than Braelon Allen's emergence, this is the same team we have seen all season. Offense cannot impose its will on teams and they eventually hang the defense out to dry.
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) October 17, 2021
Dinner and a (boring) show
Just got back to hotel after being at that game. I was as bored as my wife was watching that one. The best part was the brats and Mac n cheese from the concessions.
— Eric M. Tostrud (@EricTostrud) October 17, 2021
Working with what they've got
Russ, you are right but, unfortunately, the playbook is limited with the talent they have.
— Jon Ahlgrim (@JonAhlgrim) October 17, 2021
Stuck on cruise control
It reminded me of watching Packers games in the 70s.
— Howie (@WhoIsRoark) October 17, 2021
I’m starting to think the whole Athletic Department is living off the heydays of when Barry had it humming along.
Any week now!
Every week I hope they show some progress and get better but it hasn’t happened. Outgained 218-80 in the second half. Tough to win with that formula when Mertz averages 2.5 TO’s per game.
— Chad Steinmetz (@CSteiny24) October 17, 2021
Running at full power
Let's go!! I'm pumped about beating a pretty tough Army team. Love our new RB combo! Mertz umm
— BigCat5969 (@TylerBouressa) October 17, 2021
Bowl a bit out of reach?
God bless your optimism. I am struggling to see what three teams this Badger team can beat to become bowl eligible? The die is cast. A down o line, unimaginative offense with a struggling QB, a defensive backfield that can’t cover and shambolic special teams. #ouch
— Patrick Brzezinski (@glenlivit_guy) October 17, 2021
Take what you get
Enjoy it. Won’t be surprised if this team does not win another game this season sadly.
— Michael Burger (@Burgscom) October 17, 2021
Prepping for a Boilermaker beatdown
Purdue will roll this team next week
— Will Clausen (@willclausen2) October 17, 2021
Not getting any easier
Probably their last win of the season.
— Mr. Joshua (@quinntile76) October 17, 2021
Good enough ... for now
Mertz and the offense weak again but the Badger D was good enough. This won't work with the better teams they play.
— John Husmoe (@JohnHusmoe) October 17, 2021
We've seen worse
Better than the Cal Poly game pic.twitter.com/UVAlA9hVDO
— Andrew “Scary” Miller (@heyapm) October 17, 2021
Making a point
This is THE question that needs to be asked. Is Chryst just not thinking at all in that situation???
— Dan (@drkoz23) October 17, 2021
Playing keep-away
Their offense had the ball the bulk of it
— Mark Benson (@MarkBen23939436) October 17, 2021
Buck stops here
He is the guy recruiting them.
— rich carlson (@richwcarlson) October 17, 2021
In the driver's seat
Control our destiny in the West! Tons to play for.
— Douglas Greenberg (@DougGreenB) October 17, 2021
Well, it really did
I thought the volleyball team played great today
— Pat Richards (@pgrichards0407) October 17, 2021
Standing their ground
We went toe to toe with the best military in the country! On Wisconsin!
— Dan Paulson (@kuatolives11) October 17, 2021
At least the defense is strong
Offense is terrible. Mertz looks lost. Defense is pretty good. Boring all around. That's all.
— Troy (@troy_angus) October 17, 2021
It couldn't hurt
Will need to play much better to have a chance next week. Passing game will be needed.
— Erik Grinde (@egrinde) October 17, 2021
Never count out a gladiator
Not great, but I will tell you this: His name is Braelon Allen, football player for the Wisconsim, alumnus of Fon du Lac, loyal Badger. 17-year-old Freshman, converted defensive player. And he will have his starring role as lead RB, in this season or the next.
— Rob Vitense (@BadgerCubinMN) October 17, 2021
On to the next
Relieved and glad this game is out of the way.
— Kurt Sagendorph (@ksagendo) October 17, 2021
