ESPN thinks Wisconsin needs to take more shots down field in order to win a national title this upcoming season.
The popular sports network broke down what top teams need to do in order to compete for a national title. In a surprise to nobody with eyes, the Badgers need to throw the ball better. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
ESPN wrote the following about Wisconsin’s passing game:
When Wisconsin nearly made the CFP in 2017, the top four Badgers WRs combined to average 15.9 yards per catch. Last year, however, the top four averaged just 12.6. And now Quintez Cephus, the only big-play threat, is a Detroit Lion.
Jack Coan completed 70% of his passes, but big plays and easy points were hard to come by. In four losses, the Badgers scored just eight offensive touchdowns, two via short fields.
This is without a doubt the biggest question facing the Badgers in 2020. No question about it at all. It’s by far and away the biggest question mark hanging over the offense.
After last season, a lot of people expected a huge quarterback battle between Graham Mertz and Jack Coan to unfold in the spring.
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Coronavirus put an end to that before it even started, and there’s close to a 100% chance Coan starts the season under center.
Now, Coan takes a bit of heat from fans that’s unfair. He’s not nearly as bad as some people pretend, but his upside is limited.
Don’t be surprised if Paul Chryst gives Mertz some reps early to get things going. At the very least, he’s going to a few chances.
Either way, ESPN is 100% correct. If we can’t throw the ball down the field at a consistent level, then we’re going to struggle with elite teams.