Wisconsin Football: 3 takeaways from shocking upset loss to Illinois

2. Wisconsin secondary had issues with Illinois deep passing game

For the first time in 2019, Wisconsin gave away a first-half touchdown when Michigan transfer Brandon Peters found Donny Navarro on a 48-yard catch and run for the endzone. Peters nearly had a second touchdown on a bomb to receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe, who beat his marker on a 73-yard scoring play, but the center pushed forward too far from the line and was called as an ineligible man downfield.

That struggle against the Illinois passing game was the prime reason why Wisconsin is heading back to Madison with their first loss of the season hanging over them. Peters completed only nine of his 21 passing attempts by the time the game was over, but those nine completions went for 174 yards and a pair of scores.

When the cornerbacks were left on an island, Imatorbhebhe especially exposed them with his speed on the edge. That could prove costly against a team like Ohio State that is going to look for any advantage possible against what had been up until Week 8 the best defense in the nation.

Wisconsin is by no means terrible now after suffering a one-point loss on the road in front of an emotionally charged home crowd. But they will have an even tougher time at the Horseshoe against one of the top four teams in the country.