There is still hope that the Wisconsin Badgers’ offense can get much stronger. So far this season, this is a team that is planted towards the bottom of nearly every meaningful offensive statistic, which has led to a change, as freshman quarterback Ryan Hopkins has been selected as QB1 over former starter Colton Joseph. 

Hopkins’ full debut provided enough positives, as the former three-star tallied 241 yards through the air, along with three touchdowns, one fumble in garbage time, and an interception that was ruled out due to a roughing the passer penalty. 

Hopkins was immediately awarded with the Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor that only cemented the deserved praise. 

What does this mean for the long term?

As long as Luke Fickell is at the helm of the Badgers, this will be a team that wants to be built on a high-flying, air-raid offense that will pop teams on the ground when defenses begin to key in on passing. 

The great thing about the rest of Wisconsin’s schedule is that if things go to plan (which they hardly do with this team), there is a great runway for Hopkins to fully embrace the long-range passing attack that has been hovering over this program since Fickell’s arrival. 

If Hopkins is given the chance to fine-tune his passing attack over the coming weeks into the offseason, then this could finally be an offense fans want to see.