Post Alabama Thoughts - A Dairy Raid Morning Constitutional

[@toddsgreatoutdoors4226]

Incredible breakdown, coach. It's relieving to finally have someone with your insights to peel back the layers and reveal what's really going on with Wisconsin Badgers football. Thank you!

[@danielfreres7072]

Thank you for speaking on Chaney! Him and Thomas couldn’t be worse we gotta go to Curtis and alliegro it’s a joke they don’t fill any of the correct gaps and can’t play coverage whatsoever

[@thedairyraid]

Chaney is so athletic it's a shame that he overthinks his gap responsibilities. I think Thomas is sound, but he is trying to overcompensate for Chaney, but he may be better suited in JTJ's position at OLB.

[@brycetolefree2831]

Coach, genius analysis again!!! Your amazing. Everything you state resonates. Longo and Fickell are not jelling. The power spread is an offense that seems to be an offense that Fickell would be more comfortable with. But if we go that route you got to pay. You’re correct, it is about money and players. It’s a new era. Thanks Chez but The Yack attack is the way to go. And yes, Cheny needs to go. I am tired like you of complaining about the same players on both sides of the ball …they are bad. Something has got to change. And that will likely have to start with whether Fickell and Longo can co-exist.

[@cur244]

Great video as always. It's awesome to see your channel growing. Well deserved!

[@thedairyraid]

I appreciate it!

[@tomneises6178]

Really good analysis. I fear the deeper we dig the hole, the longer it will take to dig out. I agree-big decisions ahead.

[@xwing8675]

I needed this video today. So many excellent points. I think this team CAN make strides this year. I just hope we make the changes that allow the team to move forward. I think once Coach Fickell has been here another few years and isn't trying to 'manage' old and new players that things will fall into place. The recruiting HAS improved greatly compared to recent history. I think we just have to be patient. I feel TERRIBLE for TVD as he looked so poised and in command to start the AL game. Keep up the great work!!! As painful as the breakdown will be for the AL game, I'm looking forward to it....even if the breakdown on that Jam Miller TD run might make be barf.

[@thedairyraid]

So much potential off of that first drive...same I feel so bad for TVD because he was so focused on proving the doubters wrong. I hope is rehab goes well and maybe he gives it one more go!

[@thomasmiller8364]

Right on with everything here Coach!

[@davidp6839]

Agreed. Great insight and a welcome relief from a lot of the overblown negativity displayed eslewhere.

[@njBadger]

Coach with your play by play on the game reviews my perspective to watch the game has changed. I know that the game has changed and I need the game film and your commentary to actually know what I am seeing versus what I see as a fan. Much thanks. All of your comments I agree with and you verbalized some of my thoughts. Two quick items. My view on tune up games is you get your A base vanilla plays with your starters and execute that and then get your backups in for meaningful reps. If you pound and ground then pound and ground. If you sling the ball you sling the ball. It was as if the three games that were played the coaching staff did not want to reveal to other teams later in the schedule what they will do and was slowly opening up the playbook from game 1 to game 2. I did not understand the dinosaur play calling especially in the first game. Second game to slow in opening up the playbook. In any case your thoughts. Here is an out of box idea. Many years down the road due to the transfer portal and NIL that college football game is going to change. There might be a pre-NFL league with no school involved. "Pay to Play" league will form. You get paid to play football and don't waste time in the classroom. Your thoughts.

[@Britton_Thompson]

By no means do I consider Wisconsin close to competing at the top of the Big Ten again right now, but we do have to consider that Alabama is still a really, really good football team

[@thedairyraid]

Sometimes the simplest explanation is the correct answer!

[@davidwitkiewicz5388]

I literally talked to my FIL about the loyalty thing. Comes to basketball as well. Too much loyalty to the older players when they aren't performing. I was at the Alabama game. It was rocking on that first drive until TVD got hurt. If you look at Bama's drive summaries, the times we punted to them (not the shank) or kicked off to them most ended in them punting. When we gave them a short field (Fumble, on downs, missed fg) all ended in TD. Hate to state the obvious but, ball security and clock managment can not be an issue going forward.

[@thedairyraid]

A handful of plays go the other way and it's a much different outcome. Still likely a loss, but it doesn't take much for a game to spiral out of control.

[@davidwitkiewicz5388]

@@thedairyraid If we would've covered the spread (-16.5 last check) I would be more optimistic about the rest of the season. I will be interested to see your breakdown of the O-line pass blocking and if they can sustain the outside zone success.

[@williamwojcieszek4320]

Your best vid yet, imho. Do more of the free form big picture program stuff!

[@thedairyraid]

I appreciate it...felt good to get a lot of that off my chest!

[@lbrilli11]

I agree with most of your analysis here, especially with the players! And I agree I think there is a disconnect between Phil and Luke… but I do wonder, to your point about flushing the program, can this all come together given a bit more time for this staff to mature their guys? The reason I am saying this is because if we don’t have the right guys for Longo’s offense, what is he supposed to do? I do think we have a STABLE of running backs, and we need to have balance in order to play games in October and November in Madison. I am all for and want the air raid to work in Wisconsin, but sort of to your point, you have to play to the personnel you have. Right now, in short yardage situations, we need to line up under center and run the ball. And we need some more scheme on offense, like you said. So idk. I think we can do both. But I think Luke and Phil not on the same page is an issue and I think we need to play to the players we have and try to make the move in our recruiting to air raid.

[@thedairyraid]

I think the players are plenty mature, but I think some of them are just not that good and developed bad habits. The current staff is doing what they can with what they got. It's like the old saying if making chicken salad out of chicken shit. You're making the best out of a bad situation...but it still tastes like shit! I think the riff is just philosophical, balance and personnel usage. I think they can work together but Phil needs to do more to let Luke know it's his offense. As for the Air Raid in Wisconsin in November I don't buy it. High flying offenses exist in every type of weather possible from Pacific northwest rain to a Rocky Mountain snow. The offense should have balance, but the balance that Mike Leach preached in which defenses need to account for all 6 skill position players and by doing so you give the offense the keys to victory. And Finally on the whole under center thing I'll say this. If you're not going use a formation on 1st and 10 you shouldn't use it on 4th and 1. If you're shotgun team stay there. If you don't have the horses to consistently get yards in all facets of under center football then don't do it. That's my hill to die on and I'm happy to be here by myself if necessary!

[@ColdStone52]

I’m glad at least you are saying that the offense is clearly being changed from somebody that’s not Phil Longo. People are acting like that’s a made-up narrative but in my opinion it’s very clear that there’s somebody else that has their hand on this offense.

[@thedairyraid]

There are many factors but Luke Fickell is definitely one of them, and he has said as much. I think Longo is used to working with HCs that just ignore the offense, and there isn't anything wrong with Fickell's approach they just need to learn to co-exist.

[@HerbHerman-le5ux]

Any Badger fan actively rooting against the team/program are not real Badger fans. Our team isn’t as good as we all thought this year. Why does that cause ppl to become spiteful? We all just need to slightly adjust our expectations and get excited for the games ahead to see how/where the improvement comes for this team.

[@thomasmiller8364]

Coach, do you remember if JL was to stay on as HC, who his OC would have ended up being??

[@thedairyraid]

The rumor was Sean Lewis, but that was before he got the Colorado offer. Now that San Diego State is going to the Pac-12 I wouldn't see him taking a coordinator job.

[@zachbartz2646]

Really like the insight about the offense, but, if Fickell doesnt see eye to eye with Longo, why try to change his style when we couldve initially went out and got a Mike Denbrock from LSU before he went to Notre Dame? Hes established and they have chemistry working together at Cincy? Or even an Andy Ludwig who runs that style of offense and has experience working here? Just feels like this offensive rift could've been easily avoided

[@thedairyraid]

I see two reasons Fickell could have wanted to go with Longo: 1. He wanted to push his own boundaries (and he is having problems letting go of his own vision of the offense) or 2. Denbrock would have cost too much. Andy Ludwig is now one of the highest paid OCs now as well so he was probably out of bounds too (and he was burned by Wisconsin once before). I suppose we won't know until it's all over. I hold out hope they can get on the same page...

[@ToddRuss-ym8if]

It’s time to let Longo do his thing and then evaluate at the end of the season.

[@billybob8228]

I think I 100% agree with you even though I might change my mind in coming days, right now I think this is spot on. I'd like to add that I believe Fickle wants more of a CEO position and isn't really engaged with the game plan on offense or defense. I point to two plays in the Alabama game. Yac got smashed and looked woozy. Maybe borderline concussion. A few plays later, fumbled the ball. Later in the game locke iis lined up for the handoff facing a two-edge blitz unblocked and doesn't audible out. Coaches don't call a timeout to rethink the play. Both are Fickles fault.

[@thedairyraid]

The head coach should be the CEO, the problem can be when a defensive minded head coach has too much influence on an offensive gameplan and visa versa. I'm not blaming Fickell for all of the offensive issues, there is plenty of blame to go around, but Longo can't flourish if he isn't trusted. As for Yac if he was concussed then that is on the medical staff telling Fickell he was OK or not spotting the concussion in the first place. And for Locke he had options on that play to not hand the ball off designed in...he just didn't take it. No need to rethink a call that has answers for all.

[@billybob8228]

​@@thedairyraid- what I'm not so eloquently saying is yes, he should be CEO, but he should also make in game adjustments especially if his coaches won't. Timeouts are easy, maybe play calling isn't so much, but have we ever really seen Fickel take a timeout and discuss anything with Longo? Beilema, definitely challenge his Off Cord on field Same with Chryst and Leonard.

[@thedairyraid]

There's nothing to discuss to be honest because the offensive decision making should be left to the offensive staff. It would be the same as Phil Longo going up to Tressell. Fickell’s input on the offensive gameplan is during the initial staff meetings, but afterwards it's up to the offensive staff. Now if Fickell was an offensive minded HC that would be different because, 1. He would probably be calling plays and 2. he would be more involved in the gameplan and therefore offer better insight.

[@billybob8228]

@@thedairyraid - totally disagree because it's nothing like that. He's the HC, not a coordinator and he has final say on everything. The coordinator can't call a time out.

[@chrishopp5998]

If we can't get the players to run Longo's system, can we get the players to run power spread? How different is the skill player talent level needed to run each system?

[@thedairyraid]

The power spread offense is less reliant on the vertical aspect of the passing game and may be a bit more "traditional" in the route structure with less leverage reads. Of course it doesn't hurt to have the horses to be able to be vertical as well. So that's why I thought if Chryst hired Kotelnicki he could still be the HC because it could have taken the UW values into modern football a bit more gradually. So if they part ways with Longo he would be my #1 target.

[@chrishopp5998]

Given that Fickell thought recruiting at Wi was going to be tied more to a 350 mile radius around the state, I find it interesting that he’d choose to hire an OC with a scheme that needs WR talent that you can’t really get inside that range.

[@thedairyraid]

They can get them...I can point to big time WRs at almost every B1G program. And it's gotten better (Eugene Hilton, KBJ, the freshman backs, etc) but if we want a faster turn around and quicker program building there needs to be another level of recruiting.

[@michaelrawson7250]

This preseason we were told they would be more aggressive. I still don’t see it. Fickell needs to stop being conservative. The 4 and 3 at the end of the first is indicative of Fickell’s conservatism. I’m not sure if he’ll be pushed to let Longo go after it, but he should let him run the offense. To counter, the players need to execute Longo’s simplified system better.

[@michaelrawson7250]

I will add: Those fans who are most stubborn are old and complacent. I’m sorry if that offends some but it’s a ‘boomer’ mentality and those fans should stop buying season tickets so they can sell them every weekend to an away fan, college student who can’t get in the student section, or some friend from back in their day. I believe in our staff and players to improve. Some folks don’t want them to so they can be right.

[@thedairyraid]

There is trust issues between them that's for sure. Fickell doesn't trust Longo because he doesn't know him well enough to anticipate what he's going to call like he could with Denbroke.

[@thedairyraid]

I believe tradition is a good thing and holding on to values is important...but so is getting with the times. Fickell is bearing a lot of the weight of changes that needed to be made that would have likely "Scott Frost'ed" Jim Leonhard.

[@michaelrawson7250]

@@thedairyraid I agree and understand! Thanks for the videos!

[@ToddRuss-ym8if]

Denbruak seems like a pipe dream now that he is at Notre Dame. I agree that they need a name at OC…but what does that mean? Whoever it is…Fickell better it it right because Mabry likely follows Long

[@thedairyraid]

Starting over will definitely mean we will lose a lot. Letting Longo go likely means we lose 3 QBs, not just Mettauer but both Lockes as well. It would be far cheaper to spend the money in NIL and get the pieces needed via high school recruiting and the transfer portal than starting over.

[@ToddRuss-ym8if]

@@thedairyraiddo you think he and Fickell can get on the same page? Not sure if that is possible

[@thedairyraid]

I think it's possible, but if them not being on the same page it means Fickell has got to let go and let his staff do its job.

[@hughscallon812]

Devastating takes

[@thedairyraid]

Calling it like I see it...sometimes Coach needs to tell you you suck!

[@peforsell]

☠☠☠

[@dimitri1515]

Get Mettauer ready for Purdue. If we get rid of Longo, then we might as well go back to Chryst because you're saying Fickell is ONLY wanting to repeat what Chryst did.

[@thedairyraid]

We can't go backwards...the "pro style" isn't coming back. The only thing I'll give Chryst is that he let the defensive guys do their thing...so if the reason the offense is too conservative is because Fickell is too involved then that's an issue. I don't think it's the main problem, but it is in line with what they have said to the media. Playing Mettauer now is a disaster waiting to happen. Generational talents can play as true Freshmen and while I love his game is he is not ready to be thrown to the wolves. Locke has shown he is a capable game manager so if he can grow we can get through this season.

[@dimitri1515]

@@thedairyraid It's not that I don't agree I'd rather Mettauer spend a year just learning, but nobody wants to give time anymore. I think Longo and Fickell are mostly on the same page. They look at the roster and know it's mediocre. I think they likely had a great gameplan for Alabama, but losing TVD is everything. How good would Miami be if Ward goes down. How good will USC be if Moss goes down. If I had my way, everyone would shut up until year 4.

[@thedairyraid]

I get you and I agree I wish fans could be more patient, but that's easier said than done. I just hope Fickell goes all in this off season and does what needs to be done, and forces Mac's hand to get the rest done.

[@tfive1681]

You think the Badgers have enough money to compete with the big boys?

[@dimitri1515]

@@tfive1681 Me? I think we have enough to get us to the semi final round of the playoffs.

[@kylereinke1406]

Longo and fickell are not match made in heaven

[@thedairyraid]

Nope but the best HC/OC partnerships rarely are. Whatever differences they have they need to find a way to work better together.

[@slidefirst694]

If Locke isn't going to be able to get it then use Mettauer and if Chez and Case can't hold onto the ball use the freshmen

[@thedairyraid]

Mettauer playing now is a disaster waiting to happen. He is nowhere near ready. I would agree Chez needs to be moved out of the 1A job, but I think Cade is the one who takes it from him because he is the most complete back, despite his fumble. The freshmen can run and while they shown some blocking ability in camp they need to improve in pass protection before they are ready to be in the every down discussion.