Wisconsin football fighting an uphill battle to close talent gap

Last season, the Wisconsin football team endured a downright embarrassing beatdown in Columbus when the Badgers faced off against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The final score of 52-21 was not only a blow to their record but also a harsh reminder of the substantial talent gap that existed between the two teams — and, in my humble opinion, still does.

UW’s defense, in particular, seemed utterly bewildered by Ohio State’s high-octane offense. It was a game that former defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard later described as his players “seeing ghosts” on the field.

Not great, Bob.

Wisconsin football coaches know that talent gaps exist, but that doesn’t always tell the whole story

Fast forward to the upcoming tilt with Ohio State, and the memory of that humbling defeat still lingers. However, Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell understands the significance of closing that gap and learning from past experiences.

“We can look back at last year, and last year is last year,” Fickell stated. “But we’ve got to find ways to close the gaps. There are gaps in everything. Every week, there’s a gap in something. So we’ve gotta continue to close gaps.”

Fickell also stressed that while there may be disparities in talent between the two teams, that doesn’t always determine the game’s outcome.

“The best teams don’t always win games, right?” Fickell said. “The most talented teams don’t always win games. “I mean, flip on college football every Saturday. It’s crazy how things happen. So regardless of what that is, it’s about the preparation. It’s about closing some gaps, and then ultimately, can you play loose, can you play fast, and can you still play aggressive no matter who you’re playing?”

Out-coaching Ohio State is Wisconsin football’s only logical path to victory

If we’re being honest, long-term success against teams like Ohio State or Michigan, for that matter, will demand a significant talent increase or a superior coaching and execution strategy. For Wisconsin football, the latter option seems more feasible.

Given the recruiting disparities, only a fool would argue that the Badgers can match Ohio State’s athleticism and overall talent level.

Therefore, the question becomes whether Luke Fickell and his staff can out-coach Ohio State. So far this season, their performance has been solid, but they have yet to decisively out-coach their opponents — at least by the evaluation of an armchair quarterback.

The upcoming game against Ohio State presents an intriguing opportunity for the coaching staff to showcase their ability to design and execute a game plan that can put Wisconsin football in a position to compete, even though they’re far less talented on paper.

The challenge lies in making the game competitive, minimizing mistakes, identifying small margins for an advantage, and making strategic tweaks to keep Ohio State off balance & guessing.

While victory may not be the expectation, I want to walk away from Saturday’s game having seen signs that the staff can lead Wisconsin football into a competitive position when they’re outmatched.

Ultimately, the game against Ohio State is not just a test of talent (a measuring stick game, if you will) but a testament to the coaching staff’s ability to close the gaps mentally.

For ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinions, and analysis, you can follow Dillon Graff on X @DillonGraff.