Options for Wisconsin Football to replace Chez Mellusi: Short passing game
With the Badgers running extremely short on capable backs, the onus will also fall on Graham Mertz and the passing game to pick up some of the slack.
Mertz had been all over the place this season and has turned the ball over far more times than I care to admit. He’s sloppy in protecting the rock when in the pocket and also makes too many dumb decisions when targeting his guys in the passing game.
There’s no other way to put it, but he has to play better if Wisconsin wants a real opportunity at winning the Big Ten. The Badgers will be fine against the likes of Northwestern and Nebraska, but if they want a chance at winning the Big Ten West or, heaven forbid, a chance at winning the Big Ten altogether, Mertz will have to play better. This starts with wide receiver screens and the short passing game to offset the loss of Mellusi.