In a matchup that had Big Ten fans on edge, the Wisconsin Badgers fell to the Michigan Wolverines 24-10 on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium. It was a game filled with defensive stands and offensive frustrations, especially for the Badgers who were hoping for a spark from their new quarterback starter, Hunter Simmons.
Simmons, a redshirt junior transfer from Southern Illinois, made his first start for Wisconsin amid a quarterback carousel that's plagued the team this season. He completed 18 of 32 passes for 142 yards, but two interceptions proved costly, handing Michigan short fields that they capitalized on. The Wolverines' ground game, led by Justice Haynes' 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns, overwhelmed Wisconsin's defense in the second half. Haynes has now rushed for over 100 yards in five straight games, a streak that's turning heads in Ann Arbor.
However, the Badgers' issues ran deeper than Simmons' debut. Their offense managed just 10 points, with a lone touchdown coming late in the third quarter on a short run by running back Chez Mellusi. Michigan's defense, stout as ever, sacked Simmons three times and limited Wisconsin to under 200 total yards. Indeed, it was a tough night all around, as the Badgers dropped to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in conference play.
Moreover, Michigan improved to 5-1, solidifying their position in the Big Ten race with that dominant run game. For Wisconsin, the loss raises questions about the coaching staff's decisions at the most critical position. Simmons showed flashes of arm talent, but the turnovers suggest he's not quite ready to steady the ship yet. The Badgers now face a must-win against Rutgers next week to salvage some momentum.
However, as the season wears on, one can't help but wonder if Wisconsin's troubles are more systemic than a single game's score suggests.