As I get this column started, I’d like to remind you all of my Patreon community. That community is a big part of my website & my other social media accounts (YouTube, Twitch, etc.). It’s a great & cheap way of supporting me. If you’d like to become a member, you can go to https://www.patreon.com/nickobot.
My 2024 New Years resolution:
Stop getting my hopes up when it comes to my sports teams.
Wisconsin drops the ReliaQuest Bowl, 35-31, to the No. 13 LSU Tigers.
Here’s some thoughts without re-watching the game:
Don’t get caught in the narratives that the media will feed you. Wisconsin was missing far more pieces today than LSU was due to opt-outs & transfers. The team with more overall talent got it done in the fourth quarter.
I mentioned in in a blog a month or two ago that I’m still a bit detached regarding the Wisconsin Badgers football program since the firing of Paul Chryst last season. Having said that, yes I absolutely want UW to win, it’s just the losses this season haven’t hurt as bad as they normally do.
Today’s game was a bit symbolic of the 2023 season for the Wisconsin Badgers, who finish the campaign with a 7-6 record.
Luke Fickell’s mantra is all about finishing.
Wisconsin failed to finish today. They had several opportunities to put LSU away in both the first half & in the second half. UW had an opportunity to win the ball game in the final minute of regulation, but three negative plays in a row led to the loss.
I wouldn’t necessarily say UW didn’t finish all season, they could have easily folded when they went down 14-0 in the first 10 minutes of the game against Nebraska when UW was sitting at 5-5 fighting for bowl eligibility. They battled back, won that game then went to Minneapolis the following week – beat the Gophers & reclaimed the Axe.
But we saw the theme of not finishing a lot this season.
I’m proud of the energy level from UW today. They showed they wanted to be there, despite a fluid roster (opt-outs, transfers), which you don’t always see in the non-CFP Bowl Games.
Luke Fickell says he’ll ignore analytics when he trusts his gut … he might have the least trustworthy gut of all time because I’m sure there’s a few plays he’d like to have back.
The Air Raid offense historically struggles in short yardage & Wisconsin’s has too. The Wide Receiver group looks extremely promising for 2024.
Bryson Green says he’s returning to UW for 2024, which isn’t overly surprising but it’s also a good thing for the Badgers.
For all of the criticism Phil Longo receives – some of it justified – Mike Tressel’s job has to be questioned considering where this defense had been for years. After 13 games, I still can’t find one thing that this 2023 defense did well at.
Badgers need to find a pass rush by the Fall.
Allowing 492 yards, concluding with a 98-yard drive, to a backup quarterback makes me want to barf.
We’ll see how the offseason goes for the program. Talent & execution will both have to make a big jump for Wisconsin to have success in 2024. And so will game day coaching.
Good thing it gets easier in 2024 with Alabama, USC, Penn State & Oregon on the schedule!