Sitting at 2-1, the Badgers are exactly where everyone thought they would be at this point...in the standings. But the two wins against non-power foes didn't fill anyone with a great sense of confidence, though the defense played well. The loss to Alabama was as bad as *some* naysayers said it would be. The second string QB has been ok, but not great, the pass defense against the Tide was nonexistent, and, strangest of all for a Badger team, the offensive line is a wreck; even when healthy it hasn't looked good, but they aren't especially healthy. So here comes Maryland...
Maryland is a must win for the Badgers to make bowl eligibility. Maryland is probably a must win for the Badgers to win another game. The Terps are, by far, the lowest regarded team left on the Badgers docket. At home, the Badgers desperately need a win.
So far the Terps have looked improved, but against an unimpressive slate. Nevertheless, 3-0 is 3-0, and the games haven't been that close. The only "blemish" is Maryland's 11 point win over NIU, when the Terps were a 16.5-point favorite. NIU can be tough (ask the Irish), and Maryland shut their offense down.
The biggest concern for the Badgers is Maryland's freshman, 4-star quarterback who is putting up good numbers so far, clearing 250 yards in every game. That is especially concerning because of the Badgers' poor showing against Alabama in the passing game last week. And potentially ironic in that the Badgers poached their starting (except that he's injured) QB from the Terps, paving the way for Malik Washington at Maryland.
Now, the Terps aren't the Tide, and the Badger d-line actually did get some pressure on Alabama, despite an offensive line that is almost certainly better than Maryland's--by a fair margin. Unfortunately, they left Alabama's receivers wide open in the process. So Maryland will have a tougher time throwing the ball this week, and the Badgers should have a better day on defense.
But can the Badgers score against a power-4 team, even one that has been a doormat most years? That remains to be seen. They had some flashes of competence against Alabama, but shot themselves in the foot with penalties and interceptions at critical times (playing the Tide, that's basically all the time). Playing at home, with a friendly crowd, should help, but enough...?
The Badgers are 6.5-point favorites, which feels a little generous to me. The pressure has to be on, which generally doesn't help. Seriously, if they don't win this one, it's hard to see another win on the schedule. While Fickell could survive a 5-7 year, I don't know about 2-10. Sure, the o-line is dinged up, and for the third year in a row, the starting QB is out (although he may be back this week), but the bottom line is wins, and the Badgers just haven't had enough. And 2 wins? That would leave little doubt that the Alvarez Era is the distant past and that the McIntosh era is--so far--a dud.
My optimism tells me they grind out a win because of an INT or 2 from Washington, but I think Saturday morning is going to be a nervy watch for Badgers everywhere.
