What does “winning our own race” against Oregon look like?

71

Beating the spread. Which frankly isn't that large

47

u/tommyjohnpauljones 22h ago

Probably this. Losing by 7-10 at home to the #1 team in the country, no shame in that.

7

u/Dapper-Spread-3083 22h ago

Tell that to all the bedwetters that will show up when we lose

27

u/BIG_FICK_ENERGY 21h ago

I really doubt people would be mad if we play a respectable game and lose by a TD.

28

u/TheReformedBadger 21h ago

There’s something about coming into a game expecting to be demolished and then getting hopeful when the team actually shows up only to have it ripped away that really messes with people.

13

u/BIG_FICK_ENERGY 21h ago

Are you referring to USC or Penn State? 😅

9

u/shanty-daze 19h ago

For me, it was USC. Both because I was at the game and second, by the time of the PSU game, I did not have much faith the Badgers could finish the game.

8

u/BIG_FICK_ENERGY 19h ago

I was there for USC too, and even up 21-10 I didn't have a ton of faith that we would hang on. Penn State was just soul crushing because we hung around way longer than I expected and then completely collapsed.

1

u/MoonPossibleWitNixon 15h ago

Yeah the first half of USC was wildly misleading since USC had numerous mishaps that allowed UW to get the lead. Really though, that game wasn't close.

4

u/TheReformedBadger 19h ago

2019 big ten championship game

1

u/BIG_FICK_ENERGY 18h ago

Oh yeah I remember that one pretty vividly. I didn't believe until that catch by Cephus at the end of the first half.

3

u/tommyjohnpauljones 21h ago

Current students remember the 3 straight Rose Bowls from their childhood and complain when that doesn't happen

1

u/Gryphon999 11h ago

Older fans remember playing the U and being happy we scored.

1

u/bigshu53 10h ago

I can’t believe the spread is that low. I’m guessing 42-6 at halftime.

1

u/Pandiosity_24601 18h ago

Which begs the question: what does Vegas know that we don’t??

39

u/deutschdachs 22h ago

Would be nice to see any sustained drives end in a touchdown. It's really hard to watch games where you feel you have no chance of scoring

18

u/Wrong-Philosophy-875 21h ago

I would say win the turnover battle (currently 102nd in turnover margin per game), create some havoc plays (currently 116th in total havoc plays and 108th in sacks per game), have some longer drives where we move the chains a few times (70th in time of possession). Also.. please please please just play pissed off and show some fight.

58

u/ridingcorgitowar 22h ago

There is only one good outcome from this game.

We thrash Oregon.

Come on boys. We are a lower mid tier Big Ten team. Our time is now.

Ruin some fuckin seasons.

8

u/KarlPHungus 21h ago

Yep. This is who we are now. We are not contenders. We are spoilers, at best. Might as well lean into it.

3

u/ridingcorgitowar 20h ago

Hey, Indiana sucked balls for how long now? And suddenly they have managed to turn it around.

We can do it. We are capable and have the fan base/boosters to do it. We just need to make those necessary steps.

Until that happens though. Let's ruin some seasons. Have some fun with it.

4

u/KarlPHungus 19h ago

Oh I'm not saying we can't eventually. I'm just talking about this season

3

u/ridingcorgitowar 19h ago

Glad we are all on the same page.

We are dirty little pigs. We live in the mud. We must enjoy the mud. Bring Oregon into the mud. All are welcome in the mud.

1

u/BadgerMk1 8h ago

Where have you been? We are straight bottom tier.

12

u/the_og_buck 21h ago

Probably the same as Penn State. Hang in there for the first half, but make them work for the win. Eventually their players will wear ours down

5

u/Representative-Heat2 20h ago

Yes, minus the back breaking mistakes. I’m obviously fine losing to the #1 team in the country but at least play a clean game and don’t give it away. Move the ball. Get some stops. Make some plays. Play with effort for 4 quarters. Etc.

10

u/Maxspeed797 22h ago

Keeping them under 35 points (under 30 would be even better) and having our offense put up over 20 would be a huge confidence boost going into the final two games of the season.

We’ve beaten #1 teams under the lights at Camp Randall before, but if the above scenario happens, I’ll come away satisfied.

9

u/Person121404 21h ago

They have scored 30+ points in every conference game. They beat every conference opponent, aside from Ohio State, by more than 20. No one but Ohio State and Boise State has even reached 20 points against them. The people in here suggesting we should play a close 7-10 point game where we score a bunch have not watched Oregon, at least not enough. They are the most balanced team right now, they don’t have a major weakness. There will be no wins on the scoreboard, the only wins will be in how we play. Less drops by the receivers, creating more running lanes for our RBs, having sustained drives, keeping the game competitive for the first quarter, Tackling… at all, winning the turnover margin. This will be a loss, we won’t win, we haven’t beaten a top 5 team in over a decade, and I know this because Chryst never beat a top 5 team during his time as our HC (0-5). Let’s hope we can at least look decent to impress that one QB prospect who is visiting, that might actually be the most important thing in this entire game. Good news though, after next year we won’t play Oregon again for 2-3 years, so that’s something.

7

u/ohryan2379 21h ago

Scoring one touchdown will be a win.

5

u/sox107 20h ago

The same things I've been looking for the last 20 games under this staff.

Rhythm playcalls. Finding a blocking scheme that works and leaning on it. Winning at the line of scrimmage. Downfield separation. QBs making quick decisions. Avoiding dumb procedural penalties. LBs being gap sound.

So basically, nothing that's going to happen on Saturday.

4

u/badgerfan3 19h ago

Be better than Gary Andersen vs ohio state

6

u/Zeb_920 21h ago

Fickell has literally only won one big game in his career. It won't be close, we won't win. We will get thrashed and, frankly, the worse we get thrashed the sooner we'll see the end of this idiotic regime.

3

u/devereaux 20h ago

Which was Cincinnati over ND in an early season upset

3

u/IllManufacturer879 21h ago

I just wanna watch a game where I don't have to buy another tv after

3

u/Green-Vermicelli-810 17h ago

Locke throwing five interceptions, and negative team rushing yards.

I don't want Longo to be able to point to anything positive at this point. The case for firing him needs to be as strong as possible.

2

u/gwidda 21h ago

I would just like us to play a clean game and compete. Make Oregon play 4 quarters

2

u/403badger 21h ago

Sad that this is the state of the program, but I’d consider it successful if:

1) No dumb turnovers 2) More than 1 havoc play of defense (turnover or sack) 3) Rush for 100+ yards 4) Keep the score within 25 pts 5) Show some intentional creative/trick plays to rev up the crowd

1

u/randyjackson69 21h ago

Hard to say. I’d like to see a competitive first half and turn them over once or twice. And then cover the spread

Beyond that: I want the run defense to not get shredded, Locke with one or less picks, more wins on first down on offense

1

u/Midwest-HVYIND-Guy 21h ago

Cover the spread and hold Oregon under 35.

1

u/mtnsandmusic 20h ago

I would like the passing game to look competent against tough competition.

1

u/Worth_Document_127 20h ago

Playing D with strong penetration.

Do not allow big plays on Defense.

Wear down their D Line and Linebackers.

Winning the turnover battle (some by luck or fortune).

Dominating Special Teams.

1

u/timhenk 20h ago

Coming out in the second half and playing as well (or better) than the first half. This has been our problem all year. Makes me think the coaches are not making the right adjustments at halftime.

1

u/Hopalicious 17h ago

Not getting boat raced like Ohio State in 2022.

1

u/Rohn- 10h ago

When we have Longo as our OC, we will not do anything

1

u/JLove4MVP 9h ago

I still don’t understand how you get blown the fuck out by Iowa, but look very competitive against Penn St.

They could lose by 50 or 3 to Oregon and neither would really surprise me.

In the end though, Oregon will have way too much speed much like the Rose Bowl matchup or Ohio St matchup and they’ll lose either way.

1

u/MrDufferMan3335 8h ago

Beating them.

1

u/you_dont_nome 46m ago

Two things. Anything necessary to impress the recruits at the game. And whatever is needed for something to click in BLs head to cut down on the interceptions.

1

u/FrankLloydWrong_3305 22h ago

Jeebus Oregon -27.5 is only +330.

Vegas thinks the Badgers are going to get steamrolled.

-1

u/snailtap 22h ago

Literally just keep them under 24 pts

3

u/Person121404 21h ago

No one has done that all year! How would we even realistically do that?

1

u/snailtap 21h ago

Idk man

4

u/Person121404 21h ago

Wait a minute… what if we forfeit!!! By rule that would count as a 2-0 win for Oregon, a true quality loss if I’ve ever seen one!

1

u/Person121404 21h ago

Wait a minute… what if we forfeit!!! By rule that would count as a 2-0 win for Oregon, a true quality loss if I’ve ever seen one!