Wisconsin Football Keys to Victory vs. Washington State

The Wisconsin Football teams faces their first true test on the 2023 schedule. They will travel to Pullman Washington for a battle with the Washington State Cougars. Currently, the Badgers are listed as six and a half point favorites, a number that has gone up over the last few days.

The Cougars will be a tougher task than Buffalo was last week. If Wisconsin can go halfway across the country and get an impressive road win, here are they keys to victory.

Wisconsin Football Key to Victory #1- Contain Cam Ward

Sep 2, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell walks out onto the field during warmups prior to the game against the Buffalo Bulls at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Wisconsin Football defense will not be able to stop Washington State quarterback Cam Ward. Ward did everything for Wazzu last week in their road win over Colorado State. He accounted for 491 total yards and four touchdowns. Everything the Cougars will do revolves around him.

The Badgers, however, need to contain him. How do they do that? They need to generate pressure and force him to make tough throws. If the Badgers allow Cam Ward to sit in the pocket all game, they will lose.

Wisconsin Football Key to Victory #2- Generate Pressure and Tackle in the Open Field

Sep 2, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell talks in a huddle during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bulls at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

If you talk to Luke Fickell, defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, or any members of the Wisconsin Football defense, they will likely tell you they did a poor job generating pressure and tackling in the open field last week. Buffalo quarterback Cole Snyder did anything he wanted to in the pocket. Cam Ward and the Cougars defense is a lot better than Buffalo’s offense.

The Wisconsin secondary also missed a handful of tackles last week. The Cougars offense will have a field day if the Badgers don’t correct this. I think they will do a better job this week.

Wisconsin Football Key to Victory #3- Throw the Ball More Downfield

Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen (0) finds a seam in the Washington State defense during the first quarter of their game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Tanner Mordecai did not have a bad game last week. However, I wouldn’t say he was stellar either. I am not sure if the Buffalo secondary didn’t allow the big plays to happen, but the Wisconsin Football passing game was pretty conservative. The few I understand it’s the first game and you don’t want to to show everything, but the passing game needs to be a little better this week.

Mordecai also threw two bad interceptions. He’s going to have to make better decisions this week. However, the Badgers have the luxury of a great running game. I think they rely on the running game again, but the passing game has to be there as well.

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