Wisconsin has not had the season it wanted to as the Badgers finished out on a low note in Friday’s 24-7 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers. That marked Wisconsin’s fifth consecutive loss as it fell to a 5-7 overall record.

CBS Sports analyst Brian B. Jones recently voiced his thoughts on what exactly is up with the team and where they need to do the most fixing. That starts with having playmakers up front first and foremost, Jones says.

Head coach Luke Fickell has shown he can win on the recruiting trail before and bring in players with a tough mentality. But the mentality that aligns with the teams he has put together in the past is not currently reflecting in who he has at Wisconsin.

“He doesn’t have any difference-makers,” Jones said. “He doesn’t have any big playmakers… Who on that defense consistently gets after the quarterback? No one. Who takes on blockers and gets off blocks? No one. We scoured that film this weekend prior to this game and saw nothing from the linebackers. He’s got to go out and find some players.”

Just one game short of becoming bowl-eligible, the Badgers will look to get things back on the right track with a clean slate in 2025.