Heading into 2022, should you informed a Wisconsin fan the abstract of how the Badgers had been upset by Washington State they in all probability wouldn’t imagine you.
The Cougars got here away with a 17-14 win in a recreation the place Graham Mertz shined? He what? Sure, the Kansas native performed arguably the most effective recreation of his Badger profession since his debut in opposition to Illinois and Wisconsin got here up brief.
The Badgers offensive line was pushed round by a quick, bodily Cougars protection. They had been what? Sure, the Wisconsin offensive line was arguably the weakest hyperlink on the sphere in the present day for the staff carrying pink.
How did Wisconsin fall to 1-1 as an over two landing favourite? Listed below are ten causes:
The Wisconsin offensive line was pushed round
Sep 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Washington State Cougars working again Nakia Watson (25) rushes with the soccer through the second quarter in opposition to the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Wisconsin offensive line hasn’t been as much as customary over the previous couple of seasons, however in the present day might have been a brand new low for the group. Washington State appeared a lot quicker on the line of scrimmage, and there have been few working lanes for Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi to take advantage of.
Particular groups…once more
There’s a very good probability particular groups is concerned if Wisconsin loses a recreation in recent times.
Whether or not or not it’s errors within the punt return recreation or permitting the Cougars to return the opening kickoff of the second half all the best way to the Wisconsin 27-yard line, the Badgers couldn’t put something collectively in a part of the sport that usually decides shut video games.
We are going to get to the kicking scenario in a while.
Early play calling
It’s laborious to fault Wisconsin eager to run the soccer, however early on the indicators had been there that it merely wasn’t the afternoon for Bobby Engram to dial up a heavy dose of the bottom recreation.
The offensive line was being pushed round, the Cougars had been stacking the field, and Mertz was making large throws. Taking the ball out of Mertz’s palms proved expensive at instances for the Badgers, particularly with their early dedication to working on first down.
A well timed turnover
It’s laborious to fault Clay Cundiff after he was a motive Wisconsin was within the recreation to start with, however the Badger tight finish fumbled the soccer with 5:14 left within the contest and the house staff would by no means see the ball once more.
A well timed, expensive turnover all the time feels to be on the middle of an upset loss and Saturday afternoon was no totally different.
Nicely, the kicking scenario was one thing
The kicking scenario was actually one thing on Saturday.
Vito Calvaruso missed badly from each 51 yards and 43 yards in what might have been the distinction within the recreation. The misses weren’t precisely shut.
Washington State’s protection got here to play
Let’s give the Cougars a ton of credit score, particularly the protection. Whether or not it was senior linebacker Daiyan Henley flying round to make tackles, Chau Smith-Wade making life tough on Wisconsin’s receivers, or Brennan Jackson creating issues on the road, the Cougars got here to play on that aspect of the ball.
A key momentum swing
It solely takes one play to show momentum on its head in school soccer, and on this one which play felt like Washington State Renard Bell returning the opening kick of the second half all the way down to Wisconsin’s 27-yard line.
A Wisconsin interception that went mistaken?
You hardly ever see an interception flip right into a fumble on the identical play. You noticed it twice on Saturday. The primary one got here when Jay Shaw picked off Cameron Ward and shortly fumbled it again to Washington State.
The freak play arrange a Nakia Watson landing to provide Washington State the lead for good.
Penalties, penalties, penalties
It felt like there have been a number of instances all through Saturday’s recreation the place Wisconsin would break off an enormous run and the offensive line would carry it again for holding.
The Badgers completed with 11 penalties for 106 penalty yards whereas the Cougars dedicated solely 5 penalties for 50 yards. Different stats didn’t add as much as a Wisconsin loss, however this one did.
Washington State’s offense did simply sufficient
Let’s give the Cougars a bit extra credit score. Nakia Watson made essentially the most of his return to Wisconsin, scoring a pair of touchdowns and making Kamo’i Latu miss with a nasty spin on his second rating. Cameron Ward wasn’t game-changing however made a couple of alert performs late, together with turning a botched snap into a primary down, to seal the win.