Have the Badgers unlocked a new threat in the passing game with their RBs?

The Wisconsin Badgers had a huge celebration this past weekend, defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 52-6, securing an important victory after being defeated in two consecutive games.

At 3-2, the Badgers have a crucial game ahead of them on Saturday against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on the road, with the spread appearing to be essentially even heading into the game.

Wisconsin could face a tough defensive battle in this game as the Scarlet Knights have had strong defensive performances this year while the Badgers have a good secondary that held up well against Purdue.

But one of the key aspects the Badgers could utilize in their offense is their running backs, particularly in the passing game.

Wisconsin saw real success last weekend by throwing to its running backs in the passing game and making several explosive plays in the air as Darrion Dupree made a nice 18-yard recovery attempt on a nice pass from Braedyn Locke on a 3rd & long. Additionally, Cade Yacamelli had a good 17-yard pickup on a 1-on-1 against a linebacker with an angle route that was easy to complete.

The Badgers have several running backs who seem capable of succeeding with the way they play, and some of those players had a better chance at the position this past weekend with the lineup change.

Have the Badgers unleashed a new threat in the passing game with running backs acting as receivers out of the backfield?

“It's unique when you have some guys that are a little different,” head coach Luke Fickell said of the running backs this week. “And I think that’s where Tawee (Walker) and Darion Dupre Dupree differ. Both can carry the ball. Both can be effective pass protectors and catch the ball, but they are different. And then Cade Yacamelli comes along, and he's different too. He's, I would say, a little bit more in the realm of Tawee in some ways and in some situations, with a little bit more uniqueness in terms of really good ball skills and things you can catch.”

“But I think these guys in particular are giving us a little bit of a different dynamic right now. And I think that's the thing for me, it's always good when you're in a group, right? I mean, it's like pass rushers. If the one player on the field side goes in and the next player comes in and does the same thing, it won't be as difficult for the player in front of him. And the ability to move those guys, to sub them all out, can dictate football. It's not like if so-and-so is in it, (this is known) they throw it away. But they have different skills that give them the ability to maybe do some different things.”

If the Badgers were able to get sustained performance through the air from their running backs, it would be a huge advantage, not only because it would provide another weapon in the passing game, but it would also force teams to counter by not stacking the box as often as they have been doing to open up the run game.

It looks like Wisconsin could be turning things around in that regard as they start to install more plays that involve normal running back routes and possibly set up some shooting plays.

“I hope (the running backs get more opportunities in the air),” running back Cade Yacamelli said this week. “I mean, I feel like we've been winning all fall camp, and I mean, even in the spring, so honestly, I hope so. I think Coach Longo will definitely trust us more and more as we make these plays. I mean, we just ran three plays so the running backs could do some drag routes, deep shots, stuff like that. It obviously makes us excited, especially when he’s excited enough to call and has faith in us.”

Given the number of good, elusive backs in Wisconsin, the focus should be on more downfield routes for the running backs rather than the swing passes and flats we've been used to over the last year and a half.

This aspect would open up the offense significantly as the running backs thrive in man-to-man coverage and we saw some of the results last weekend against Purdue.

As Wisconsin faces a stout defense against Rutgers on Saturday, it will need all the weapons it can get, and a new one may have just been unlocked.