Wisconsin falls in Minnesota as Badgers continue their nightmare season

Wisconsin completed its most disappointing recent memory season with another flat performance, a loss to a poor Minnesota side, who earned their sixth win on Saturday to qualify for the cup. It was an appropriate end after the Badgers, who had already played in the playoffs, dropped to 7-5 and played unevenly on both sides of the ball. In the end, Wisconsin's year of rest created a void in the already very small Big Ten West, which brought the Northwest to the title of the conference and eventually put a brake on hopes. of the conference.

In fact, the Wisconsin season may be partly responsible for the ricochet effect that could prevent the Big Ten from being ranked in the bottom four. Ohio State, the division's other champion, had a weaker resume than Michigan before Saturday, and anyway against Northwestern next week will not help boost the odds Buckeyes in series.

But back to Madison, where Wisconsin has given Paul Bunyan's Ax Valley to Minnesota for the first time since 2003. The Badgers have lost the disappointment they have suffered all year: with too many turnovers and a relatively porous defense, at least according to Wisconsin criteria. Against Minnesota, quarterback Alex Hornibrook had two touchdowns and three interceptions, all of which allowed the Golden Gophers to score. And when Wisconsin did not give up the ball, he was not able to do much, whatever; The Badgers had only seven points, until well in the last three minutes of the match.

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It was the senior day at Madison, and the honored players scored a 41-11 record during their four-year career, a remarkable record that contrasts sharply with football played on Saturday – and most of 2018 in Wisconsin. The Badgers' elite teams of recent years have never been known for their talent, but they managed with a quick defense. This year, sophomore striker Jonathan Taylor had a good season (he finished the regular season with an impressive 1 989 yards), but he was not surrounded enough to endure a constant attack, and Hornibrook never overcame the reversals that took place. He has continued since his first departure. He also suffered from concussions, trying to establish some rhythm towards the end of the year.

In defense, Wisconsin was at times unrecognizable. In previous seasons, the Badgers have been steadfast against the race and strong against the pass. this year, they scored No. 43 in the overall standings before Saturday's game, allowing opponents to average 361.8 yards. Against the race, they were the unit No. 52, almost unthinkable before the season; The opponents averaged 154.0 yards this year. Minnesota managed to rack up 325 yards of offense, convert three quarters of the attempt and rack up 201 yards, holding the ball for more than 35 minutes.

Wisconsin will need to closely examine its alignment and approach during the off-season, and as it re-evaluates and regroups, a new order could form in the Big Ten West. Fleck, in his second year, won a rivalry that the four previous Minnesota coaches have never managed. Jeff Brohm made Purdue interesting or even a winner. Northwestern is methodically good, if not elite. The Badgers have some competition and instead of relying on the more traditionally charged Eastern teams as the only hurdle, it's time for them to start considering their own side of the conference.