Badgers PFF grades: Top 5 offensive players from Week 4 loss to Ohio State
Head coach Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) entered their week four matchup as 18.5-point underdogs and walked out with their second loss after a lopsided 52-21 beatdown in the Horseshoe on Saturday night.
To make an already daunting matchup even more complicated, Wisconsin played No. 3 Ohio State without its starting offensive tackles, Jack Nelson and Riley Mahlman – forcing UW to play the hand they were dealt.
At the end of the first quarter, the Badgers had just two more yards (23) than the Buckeyes had points (21) – not exactly ideal.
On offense, Wisconsin mustered up 296 yards of offense (104 passing, 194 rushing) on 5.3 yards per play, most of which came in the second half when the game was well out of reach.
Here’s a look at the five highest-graded offensive players from Wisconsin’s loss to Ohio State, according to Pro Football Focus.
OT Trey Wedig (69.9) - Above Average
Kelli Steffes, UW Athletics
TE Jack Eschenbach (69.8) - Above Average
Sep 10, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jack Eschenbach (82) rushes with the football during the third quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
C Joe Tippmann (69.7) - Above Average
COLUMBUS, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 24: Defensive tackle Jerron Cage #86 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tries to stop offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini #63, offensive lineman Joe Tippmann #75 and offensive lineman Tyler Beach #65 of the Wisconsin Badgers from opening a hole for running back Jackson Acker #34 of the Wisconsin Badgers to score a touchdown in the second quarter at Ohio Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images)
G Tanor Bortolini (66.7) - Above Average
Wisconsin Badgers offense huddles during an NCAA college football game against the Army Black Knights, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Madison, Wis. The Badgers won 20-14. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)
G Tyler Beach (66.1) - Above Average
Sep 7, 2019; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Tyler Beach (65) during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
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