The Badger defense, which allowed 289 yards on the ground in Saturday's 31-26 loss at Illinois, was the primary topic of discussion Monday at head coach Bret Bielema's weekly news conference.
With seven of 11 starters returning from a defense that ranked No. 2 in the nation in scoring defense (12.1 points per game) as well as the top five in several other categories in 2006, the Badgers figured to be one of the top defenses not just in the Big Ten, but in the nation as well.
The reality, however, is that they rank near the bottom half of the conference in most statistical categories. The team is allowing nearly 370 yards of total offense as well as almost 23 points per game.
On Saturday, the defense allowed 410 total yards and allowed Illinois to take a 17-0 lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half, a lead that proved insurmountable.
Tackling was a major issue on Saturday, and tackling can't be changed over night,"" Bielema said. ""It's something that has to be instilled in someone and you can get better at it during the course of the week.""
Bielema cited the inexperience of several first-year starters, as well as a hesitance to come up and make a play, as two of the main reasons for the defensive struggles.
""The basic thing is guys that are in a position to make plays for the first time, that are there for the first time, in particular some of the safety and linebacker positions, aren't reacting as fast as we'd like them to, because they're not confident in what they're seeing,"" Bielema said.
According to Bielema, the defense must make better reads to help complement the raw speed and athleticism present in this unit.
""It's great to have defensive speed, but if it doesn't carry over to the football field, it's really a non-factor for you,"" Bielema said. ""Bottom line, you can only play as fast as you see, and that's what we've got to be able to do.""
Injury updates
Starting sophomore linebacker Elijah Hodge, along with two reserve defensive backs, freshman Jay Valai and sophomore Kim Royston, will return to action this Saturday at Penn State, Bielema announced.
Hodge, bothered by a knee injury that has plagued him throughout the season, was replaced by redshirt freshman Culmer St. Jean at Illinois. St. Jean registered five tackles and shared a tackle for a loss.
The return of Valai and Royston will bolster the depth in the defensive backfield. According to Bielema, sophomore safety Aubrey Pleasant was forced to play the entire game Saturday due to the lack of depth, a role he is not familiar with.
""We didn't have another option behind him because Jay Valai and Kim Royston both didn't compete in the game,"" Bielema said. ""We didn't have any sub packages, so he played every defensive snap. It was a little bit out of rhythm for him.""
Badgers fall in rankings
Following Saturday's loss, the Badgers fell to No. 15 in the USA Today Coaches poll and No. 19 in the Associated Press poll. They had previously been ranked at No. 5 in both polls.
""It's just one of those times in college football,"" Bielema said. ""The week before, four or five teams lose prior to us, and automatically I was hit with questions on Sunday, like 'well the fact that you lost may be softened by the effect that USC lost and LSU struggled to win a game.' But the only team I worry about is the Wisconsin Badgers.""
