Luke Fickell’s Badgers looking to close out season on a high note
Wisconsin's offense huddles up before a play during the second quarter against Illinois Saturday October 9, 2021 at Memorial Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
Although the Badgers are going through a roller coaster season under first-year Coach Luke Fickell, they’re trying to finish their campaign strong in the ReliaQuest Bowl this afternoon.
There’s no denying that Wisconsin has some type of postseason magic. After all, the Badgers have Ch won eight of their last nine bowl games, but this time around the they’ll have to go through a top-15 team from the Almighty SEC. LSU is looking to win 10 games for a second-straight season, but will be facing Wisconsin without its’ Heisman winning quarterback Jayden Daniels. Garrett Nussmeier will be making his first career start in Daniels’ absence.
That doesn’t mean Fickell is taking the Tigers lightly. Which is why Badger fans should expect him to field a team full of motivation. Not to mention Fickell led Wisconsin (7-5) to a bowl win over Oklahoma State last year. Now the Badgers are trying to close out their season on a three-game winning streak.
However, Fickell’s boys are a lot different from Wisconsin teams of the past, at least offensively. The Badgers are all about airing the ball out, which is completely opposite of the ground and pound squads under Paul Chryst. All-Big Ten running back Braelon Allen won’t be playing against LSU, which leaves a big void in rushing production because he has 12 touchdowns.
Wisconsin will also be without wideouts Chimere Dike and Skyler Bell, linebacker Jordan Turner and cornerback Jason Maitre, who all opted out this game. It doesn’t help that backup running Chez Mellusi is still recovering from a broken leg he suffered against Purdue.
Regardless, Fickell plans on fielding a team that’s motivated to win. Everything starts with veteran quarterback Tanner Mordecai. He knows how to sling the pigskin, despite suffering an injury. Fickell will rely on Mordecai’s experience and leadership against the Tigers. He also has a capable rusher in Jackson Acker, who’s big and physical.
One aspect of the Badgers that has remained the same is their solid defense. Wisconsin is 17th in the FBS in points allowed, and 28th in total defense. The unit looked solid over the past two games, and Fickell wants to keep the momentum going.
The Big Ten hasn’t fared well this bowl season against the SEC, but Wisconsin has an opportunity to change the narrative today. Fickell matching wits with Brian Kelly will be very intriguing, but this contest will come down to the trenches and which team wants it the most.
A win for Wisconsin will generate a lot of positive momentum heading into the offseason. So if the Badgers can come out of this game victorious, the program will definitely be trending up in year two under Fickell.
