Badgers fans find trends in Wisconsin's poor play after loss at Michigan State
Columnist Jim Polzin took the pulse of Badgers fans on Twitter after Wisconsin's 34-28 double overtime loss at Michigan State. Here's what they are saying.
Perfect time to nap
Wisconsin's B1G & NFL football teams have combined to be blanked in the third quarter in eight of their 12 games thus far. It's hard to watch that when you're not yet on your seventh or eighth Brandy Old Fashioned.
— Rob Hernandez (@RobHernandezGLF) October 15, 2022
Mel earned his keep
Mel Tucker beat his alma mater with some gusty calls in overtime. Jimmy Leonhard was quite simply outcoached when the game was on the line. Graham Mertz came through with two clutch touchdowns but this one really hurts going forward. Too many mistakes.
— Jeff Ostach☮️ (@jeff_ostach) October 15, 2022
A sad reality
They are ranked 115th out of 131 teams in total defense and we made them look like all stars. This team is just not good, or simply a year off, but right now they are not good. On a side note, did anyone see those refs? Man what a show they put on!!!!!
— Andrew Zimdars (@andrew_zimdars) October 15, 2022
Missing puzzle pieces
Getting absolutely no production from 3 of 4 LB spots, which exposes corners with well below average ball skills. Can’t wait until end of the 4th quarter to attack the edge with the rush.
— ryebadger (@ryebadger1) October 15, 2022
Time to hit the road
Fairly entertaining final few minutes for two teams obviously going nowhere. So many weak spots on this Badgers team, and no way to fix them except through better recruiting in the future. Talent just isn’t there.
— Russ Evansen (@waunaruss) October 15, 2022
Quick way to improve
Time to start using the transfer portal. The roster is dreadful.
— Ben Gotz (@TotesmahGotz) October 15, 2022
Fight for a bowl?
A few bright spots (compared to first six games), but too many errors, again. Mertz redeemed himself w/TD pass in OT. But there wasn’t a Badger in sight on his near interception a couple plays prior. Felt bad for HC, but we are talent short. .500 record is all we can expect.
— Sheri Swokowski (@Sheri_Swokowski) October 15, 2022
No more bowl streak, eh?
Will be lucky to win 5 games this year. DB’s should be put through tackling drills on the runway waiting for the plane to leave. No excuses !!!
— Barry (@Barry01548357) October 15, 2022
Bielema bowl eligible
I guess Jim Leonard is not the greatest football coach in the Big Ten West. To Bielema goes all the cheese and meats for now.
— mike kerry (@BadgerMike) October 15, 2022
Unclaimed gifts
Don’t regularly see the Badgers rally from behind to tie a game, so I guess that’s progress. They got a lot of gifts to stay in this one as long as they did. To not convert those into a victory isn’t good for Leonhard. Does Jimmy have the talent to run his defense?
— Drew Hansen (@Drubaru) October 15, 2022
A shaky, wooden coaster
We cannot pressure the QB, stop Herbig and no one else can get home. ILB’s are not making plays like we had in the past, we have not developed the roster to step in and be game ready. Offense is a roller coaster, Oline is inconsistent.
— Marty Steindl (@M_Steindl) October 15, 2022
I like that they battle,we have work to do
Effort level was better
They fought. The difference between this game and the Illinois game is that the Badgers, flawed as they are, fought to the end.
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) October 15, 2022
And we learned that Northwestern is truly dreadful.
Any ideas?
Hard to win a game when you keep shooting yourself in the foot. Penalties, poor tackling, and offense that looks good then disappears for almost a half. Gotta find a way to get our playmakers the ball in space.
— Joel Schneider (@joelschneider25) October 15, 2022
Certainly wasn't good
Players and coaches visibly frustrated all game. WRs yelling at lineman for fall starting, Allen yells at Mertz and the next time he touches it he fumbles. I don't remember ever seeing Jim this animated during a game. Is that just cause the camera is on him. This was a bad look.
— Ryan Budden (@BasketballMind3) October 15, 2022
Forward thinking
Meant a lot 2 Badgers 2 came back to tie it n regulation. Same 4 coaches,fans. Had some good plays in OT but u can’t turn it over especially in OT. Very disappointing loss. Bounce back time next Sat. When u have a chip just waiting to be knocked off, good things can happen.
— Paul Yochum'63 (@PaulYochum63) October 16, 2022
Jump man?
@BadgerFootball hasn't been able to contest with 1-on-1 50/50 balls for the last 10 years. They get owned, beat, and never get INTs or knockdowns. This ever going to be solved? It's literally a jump ball and we lose on about 90% of them.
— Aaron Heim (@HeimTime88) October 16, 2022
Even FOX ...
program stinks. msu is awful. probably wont be relevant for a long time. watched two below average teams today. refs were bad and fox sucked too.
— RigginsDad (@healer_34) October 15, 2022
Seeing a trend
Any team that beats UW over the years throws up jump balls against our DBs and they win out. Happened again today. Hallman got picked on and didn't play ball half the time
— Jeremy Wojtecki (@jwojPAC) October 15, 2022
Uncharacteristic
MSU played well…some really rough calls against UW that kept key drives alive. Tough loss…especially on an Allen fumble
— Todd (@pilprin) October 15, 2022
Like a rack of ribs
Secondary got smoked all game. No play was even made on the ball on game winning TD. Defense needs a lot of work.
— Colin Most (@ColinMost) October 15, 2022
If not Jim, then?
Have to win games against bad teams. Poor execution on both sides of the ball.
— Dan Paulson (@kuatolives11) October 15, 2022
Everyone excited for Jim? His D is not good. It hasn’t been good all year. I am hoping for new vision to lead this team
The deep ball wins
MSU runs two plays in OT and they are both 25 yard TD passes. One from a running back. What an embarrassment
— Wiscy Business (@KeeperOfTheIce) October 15, 2022
Who wants it?
Chryst left this team in terrible shape then they started having injuries and now it’s a hot mess. You will probably have to give the job to Jim because no one else is going to want to come here. I know they say it’s a great job but the recruiting is gonna suck!
— Steel Curtain5 (@SCurtain5) October 16, 2022
Need to win up front
Wisconsin just isn’t a very good team, not hard to see. Both lines are putrid and really that’s the biggest issue with this team
— Alex Brodkey (@mke_pilot) October 15, 2022
Where are the athletes?
Not even a minimal amount of athleticism anywhere on the perimeter. No speed. No stickiness. No ball skills. Exploited every moment it mattered.
— Danny (@royalty414) October 15, 2022
A winning guess
Didn't see much of the game. I'll just guess, penalties, bad tackling, line pushed around, and turnovers?
— Craig Lewandowski (@Craiglewandows3) October 15, 2022
Need to switch back
Appears coach Engram grabbed the old playbook before the flight.
— Paul Schecks (@PaulySchecks) October 15, 2022
Ready for freshmen?
Pretty clear that a coaching change would not be an instant fix. Talent is a serious problem. I have no idea why this staff is so in love with Mertz. One game wonder
— RJ (@jilk_rj) October 16, 2022
Something to be proud of
It was awesome to see some emotion from the Badgers!! Proud of how they battled. MSU had a better quarterback and receivers but not by much. Better tackling and more pressure on their quarterback and the W would have been ours
— Mary Korn Erickson (@sixtiesfan) October 15, 2022
Class in session
I’ve come to accept it’s a transitional season. Continue to teach and get better for next season
— Brian Bruhn (@bcbruhn) October 15, 2022
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