Wisconsin Football Run Defense: The Badgers Achilles Heel

Mike Tressel and the University of Wisconsin football team’s defensive unit had several reasons to be optimistic following the Badgers performance against Rutgers coming out of the bye week earlier this season. 

The Badgers had successfully limited the Scarlet Knights’ ground game to a mere 64 yards on 22 attempts, significantly below Rutgers’ average of 4.8 yards per carry and 195.2 yards per game. 

Perhaps more importantly, the tackling issues, at least for one week, were laid to rest — with only one missed tackle, according to PFF.

This standout performance had positioned Wisconsin as the 6th-best in the Big Ten and the 27th-best nationally in terms of rushing defense, allowing just 107.4 yards per game. However, as the season has progressed, the Wisconsin Badgers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) have seen a steep decline in their ability to stop the run.

Wisconsin Football Has an Achilles Heel: Run Defense 

Since then, the Badgers have dropped to the 10th spot in the Big Ten and 64th nationally, yielding an average of 142.8 rushing yards per game.

In preparation for their upcoming road clash with Indiana (2-6, 0-5) in Bloomington, addressing this defensive vulnerability will be crucial.

Since that dominant run-stuffing performance against Rutgers, Wisconsin football has averaged 8.3 missed tackles a game. Tackling effectively in space and disrupting the opponent’s line of scrimmage is vital for the Badgers to regain effectiveness in this area.

In their recent games, the Badgers have struggled against the run, and the consequences have been evident in the outcomes. Their last three opponents have averaged 4.4 yards per carry and 201.3 yards per game. Notably, Iowa, in a 15-6 victory over UW, rushed 48 times for 200 yards, a performance that left the defense dissatisfied.

Subsequent to the Iowa game, Illinois managed 223 rushing yards, although Wisconsin football clinched a 25-21 victory. The Badgers grappled with containing freshman tailback Kaden Feagin and mobile quarterback Luke Altmyer when the pocket collapsed.

Finally, the Ohio State matchup saw TreVeyon Henderson and Xavier Johnson collectively rush for 181 yards, further highlighting the Badgers defensive struggles against the run.

It’s no secret that this team understands the importance of winning the line of scrimmage and cleaning up their tackling issues, but players in the front seven need to play far better down the stretch and execute if Wisconsin is going to win the Big Ten West.

Final Thoughts Ahead of Badgers Game vs. Indiana

As Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin football program gear up to face Indiana, which faces its own challenges in the running game, they must be prepared to defend against quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who adds a mobile dimension under center. 

Indiana currently ranks 12th in the Big Ten and 110th nationally in rushing. In theory, this is a team the Wisconsin Badgers should shut down — but nothing we’ve seen over the last three games suggests they will. 

With Wisconsin already down a starting quarterback, Chimere Dike, and possibly even Braelon Allen entering Saturday’s contest, the defense must step up like they did last week against Ohio State to pick up another win on the road.

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