FINAL: Indiana Hoosiers Obliterated by Wisconsin Badgers, 51-3

Nov 16, 2013; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Alex Erickson (86) is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers safety Greg Heban (9 during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The window for the Indiana Hoosiers to become bowl eligible became much smaller today. The Hoosiers suffered another embarrassing loss at the hands of the Wisconsin Badgers Saturday.

Wisconsin cruised to an easy 51-3 victory over IU. In the past nine meetings, the Badgers have averaged 52 points per game, and IU less than 20. The loss dropped IU to 4-6 (2-4) this season.

IU had no answer for a Wisconsin ground game that racked up 554 yards rushing. Melvin Gordon, James White, and Corey Clement all had over 100 yards rushing, and each found the end zone at least once.

The Hoosiers put themselves in a hole early with back-to-back turnovers on their first two drives of the game. First Nate Sudfeld threw a pick at the Wisconsin seven, which was immediately turned into a 93-yard touchdown run. Then he fumbled a handoff that was recovered by the Badgers who found the end zone three plays later.

It was a disastrous first quarter that saw Wisconsin score 20 points. The Badgers went on to score 30 points before IU ever got on the scoreboard.

Sudfeld was 9-for-22 for 99 yards. Tre Roberson wasn’t any better, completing just 3-of-8 passes for 23 yards.

One of the best offenses in the country was held to just 224 total yards. IU converted just 3-of-12 third down attempts.

While IU appears to have a prolific offense on paper, they always underperform in the most important moments. The play calling is drastically different between quarterbacks and doesn’t give much cohesion to the teams overall performance.

Defensively, this team is a disaster. Games like today emphasize that IU doesn’t have the right players on the field to compete in the Big Ten, while other weeks it’s clear there are fundamental problems with the coaching and play calling. Either way, defensive coordinator needs to be fired.

The Hoosiers have just two games left on the schedule: at No. 3 Ohio State, and home vs Purdue. They need to win both games if they want a bid to a bowl game. IU should beat Purdue easily, but OSU is impossible. The Buckeyes have won 22 straight games going back to last season and don’t show any signs of stopping.

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