Badgers fans flock to Twitter to vent about Wisconsin's poor play in loss to Michigan
Columnist Jim Polzin asked Badgers fans on Twitter what they thought of Wisconsin's 38-17 loss to No. 14 Michigan on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.Â
Here's what fans were saying after UW dropped to 1-3 for the first time since 1990:
First things first
Blame should be directed equally at coaching staff, QB, and O-line. QB development falls on Chryst’s shoulders. Mertz talking about winning a natty and launching NIL website before accomplishing anything at UW set him up for criticism.
— Matt Baker (@bakermm23) October 2, 2021
Promote Leonhard before he leaves.
At a loss
— Rob Hernandez (@RobHernandezGLF) October 2, 2021
Not up to the challenge
Yes,we played 3 very good teams but we should be a good team too if we're ever going to be a playoff contender. Is it talent, coaching, fan support? Talent, I thought we were solid, coaching has to come into question, fan support been high. If 7-5 or 6-6 is the aim, then yes.
— Paul Rosowski Sr. (@Pantablo) October 2, 2021
Ready to wait out the storm
After the Rose Bowl win in 1993, Wisconsin went through a tough 1994 season, were blown out by Colorado both home and away, and Donovan McNabb ran wild in a 38-0 opener in 1997 at the Kickoff Classic in the Meadowlands. Calling for Paul Chryst’s firing is ridiculous.
— Jeff Ostach (@jeff_ostach) October 2, 2021
Numbers speak volumes
Next weeks loss at IL will be a nice cap to in already dead season again. 9-10 since middle of 2019. Chryst 10-17 against ranked teams. Losing record against teams above .500. His offense has been brutal. Hard not to give a players coach like Jim a chance. NFL player, walk on.
— ChazB (@chazb33) October 2, 2021
Failing to hold the line
I think after today, the 100% Mertz fault can go away. He needs to improve things but clearly there are many, many other issues
— Matt Uhlmann (@UhlmannMatt) October 2, 2021
Cooking up a hot mess
Defense is solid, but can’t be on the field 3/4 of the game. Offense showed glimpses, but not consistent enough. Protecting the ball, OL and special teams have been horrendous, not a good recipe if you want to win games.
— Joel Schneider (@joelschneider25) October 2, 2021
Wasted talent
I'm done blaming Mertz. This kid has all the arm talent in the world and I have zero reason to believe he shouldn't be at least a very serviceable Wisconsin QB.
— TJ Ninneman (@tjninneman) October 2, 2021
This is 1000% now on the offensive coaching staff.
Time's running out
The schedule gets more forgiving from here. If they're still lost in the woods a month from a now, it's time to consider significant changes.
— Kyle Cooper (@SportsCoop66) October 2, 2021
Way out of whack
300 less yds rushing vs the same team, on the road, with basically the same personnel a year ago. Explanation? If one team got that much better, then something in the offseason preparation needs to change
— Matt Uhlmann (@UhlmannMatt) October 2, 2021
Looking for new leadership
I think it’s time we hand the keys to Jimmy. Bring in an offensive staff that’s creative, like Chryst used to be. How is our OL the weakest link on this whole team?
— Josh Showers (@JoshShowers4) October 2, 2021
Throwback game
What better way to celebrate Barry Alvarez Day than replicate the 1-3 start in his first year at UW?!
— Corey Otis (@CoreyWOtis) October 2, 2021
Headed for the exit
Defense deserves so much better. I think Leohnard leaves after this season
— Eᴠᴀɴ DeLong (@delong_ed) October 2, 2021
Imitation is the sincerest flattery
Chryst needs to do with his offensive coaching staff what harbaugh did to his defensive staff last year
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) October 2, 2021
It's not wrong
LOL!! We got thoughts, Jim. pic.twitter.com/Qr5tfn4z7j
— Eric (@Eric_Johnson79) October 2, 2021
Same old story
OL is arguably worst part of the team, and they say they know how to fix it after every debacle yet continue to no show. UW can’t function with a bad OL. Something major needs to change.
— Pat Richards (@pgrichards0407) October 2, 2021
Finding a bright side
Bad luck. Would have been close without Mertz injury. We ll finish strong!
— Bill Prue (@BadgerBill89) October 2, 2021
New reality
So apparently last year was not an anomaly. How has this team regressed so badly?
— Eric Eichelt (@EricEichelt) October 2, 2021
Spinning their wheels
Offense is trash and has been for years, JT covered up a lot. Oline, QB play not good nor showing improvement over time, vanilla offense on top isn’t helping nor going to attract talent. All points to poor coaching.
— Michael Wilson (@wilsonmj73) October 2, 2021
That's one idea
If Mertz can’t go next start, turn the reins over to Deacon Hill.
— Philip Bladen (@philipbladen1) October 2, 2021
Hard to argue
Worst Wisconsin O-line since 1989.
— Jeff Kivett (@jeffkivett) October 2, 2021
That's putting it nicely
The offense just isn’t good
— David Damgaard (@david_damgaard) October 2, 2021
And on that note ...
— Wisconsin Sports Nation (@WiscNation1) October 2, 2021
Fans were vocal in their displeasure with the Wisconsin offense after the Badgers opened the game with four straight possessions without a first down.
Two instances allowed big plays that swung the game for the Wolverines.
UW fell to 9-10 in its last 19 games under Paul Chryst. Most of the blame falls on his shoulders.Â
UW's redshirt sophomore quarterback was taken to a local hospital after a sack in the third quarter.Â
A day after No. 5 Iowa routed Maryland 51-14 and the same day Michigan hammered Wisconsin 38-17, No. 4 Penn State, No. 11 Ohio State, and No. 18 Michigan State all cruised to victories in Big Ten Conference games on Saturday.
On another college football Saturday sprinkled with surprises, including three top-15 teams losing to unranked opponents, the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs left no doubt about who are the two best teams in the country.
Offensive line issues, Chase Wolf's throwing motion and running backs' effort in pass protection all caught Wisconsin football beat reporter Colten Bartholomew's eye against Michigan.Â
With five Big Ten teams ranked among the top 11, the Big Ten is set up to be the most interesting conference in the country over the final two months of the season.
Wisconsin could be without its top quarterback and tight end against the Illini.
Badgers QB Graham Mertz says he'll do everything he can to play this week after taking a hit to the chest and ribs against Michigan.Â
Lee Sports Wisconsin columnist Jim Polzin answers questions from readers in his weekly mailbag.
Illinois coach Bret Bielema was the coach at UW from 2006-2012, the Illini rely on their run game and three other things to know about the program.
Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh reflected on his own playing career in discussing how the 1-3 Badgers can emerge from an early skid.
Whether you are heading down to Memorial Stadium or watching from the comfort of your couch, the State Journal has Badgers fans covered with a complete breakdown of everything they need to know as the Wisconsin football team squares off against the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday in Champaign, Ill.
The University of Wisconsin football team picked up its first road win of the season when the Badgers shut out Big Ten West division rival Illinois 24-0 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
