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    • Scouting the Badgers: 5 questions, prediction with a reporter from Wisconsin
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    Scouting the Badgers: 5 questions, prediction with a reporter from Wisconsin

    Online Niel Posted on

    No. 1 Oregon travels to Wisconsin Saturday (4:30 p.m., NBC) at Camp Randall Stadium.

    The Oregonian/OregonLive reached out to Wisconsin reporter Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKoco on X) from Wisconsin State Journal to ask five questions and get a prediction.

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    1) What factors determine if Braedyn Locke is the best or struggles like he has in the last two games?

    Kokorowski: “Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo has long praised Locke as a ‘phenomenal student of the game,'” a quote he used just last week. He knows Longo’s iteration of the Air Raid offense so he can make checks and change plays if needed. Once the Badgers offense can get a first down, he can pick up the pace and throw the opposing defense. That’s when he’s at his best, and it showed in the first half of the eventual loss at Southern Cal and in wins over Purdue and Rutgers.

    “But there was also a prevailing theme that Locke was not protecting the ball. All eight of his interceptions have come in the past six games, and there have been crucial picks that have come back to bite the team in recent losses against Penn State and at Iowa. He’s been inaccurate at times here as well, as he’s completed under 60% of his passes this season. If Oregon can make him uncomfortable in the pocket, there’s a good chance for takeout.”

    2) Besides Tyler Van Dyke, what injuries have hurt Wisconsin the most this season?

    Kokorowski: “The loss of senior defensive end James Thompson Jr. before the season is unbelievable. His 6-foot-5, 295-pound frame is ideal for what Wisconsin wants out of that position group, but he also has incredible strength and athleticism. He could have been used effectively in the pass rush and also in plugging gaps in the run game.

    “Receiver Bryson Green has not played the last four games. Has shown an ability to make contested catches as an outside receiver, though the emergence of junior Vinny Anthony II as a deep threat has helped lessen the blow.”

    No. 1 Oregon (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) at Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3)

    3) Why has the run defense declined so dramatically?

    Kokorowski: “Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel talked in January 2023 about trying to ’round out the elite’ Wisconsin defense under former coordinator Jim Leonhard, which included dominating against the run, and what Tressel did in Cincinnati with a very good defense. That hasn’t happened yet as we’re approaching two seasons into the Luke Fickell era.

    “Thompson’s injury plays a significant role in this as someone who could have an impact in the current defensive lineman rotation. Senior Elijah Hills, an FCS transfer, has been a pleasant surprise for this unit and has become the top defensive linemen this season, and four-star freshman Dillan Johnson has become a contributor and a glimpse of the unit’s future. But there just weren’t enough plays made against others in the rotation, and opposing offenses were able to take advantage of that. The Badgers have three more defensive line recruits slated to join their 2025 class, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they look to the transfer window again this offseason to add more talent (but then again, so is every Power Four team at that position).”

    4) If a team is willing to target Ricardo Hallman, what does it take for a receiver to be successful against him?

    Kokorowski: “I think any receiver with speed and height is going to be a challenge for any cornerback, which includes the 5-10, 185-pound Hallman. Even in a season where he didn’t have flashy numbers (see: interceptions), he normally held his own and is a physical defensive back who stays with his coverage. He’s the Badgers’ best cornerback, but if Oregon can mess up Wisconsin’s secondary and a miscommunication occurs, that helps, too. Otherwise, opposing offenses have certainly targeted Wisconsin’s other cornerbacks on the opposite side of the field with some success this season.”

    5) How do you see it playing out and what is your prediction. score?

    Kokorowski: “Wisconsin is coming off the second bye week of the 2024 season and it couldn’t have come at a better time after the Iowa loss. But the Badgers face the most complete team in the nation right now, which will stress them in more ways than one. The key for Wisconsin offensively will be establishing the run game and timing Locke with the throws to get him comfortable (and also protect him). Moving chains and using tempo would help here. Defensively, the Badgers need to stop the run, but I think it will be too hard to account for both that and a strong offense with Dillon Gabriel waiting for his dynamic targets.

    “Wisconsin had Penn State on the ropes until the fourth quarter a few weeks ago, and I think the Badgers could get off to a good start against the Ducks, like they did in their early games against the Crimson Tide in September and the Nittany Lions last month. But I feel Oregon’s offense, both in the passing and running games, and defense will be too big for an upset. It’s also hard to trust Locke not to turn the ball over in some way. Oregon 34, Wisconsin 17.”

    — James Crepe covers Oregon ducks and the Big Ten. Listen Ducks Confidential podcast or subscribe to Ducks Roundup Newsletter.

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