Dan Lanning describes the challenge of preparing for multiple quarterbacks vs. Wisconsin

The Oregon Ducks are getting ready to play host to a struggling Wisconsin team. However, there is a major challenge for head coach Dan Lanning to deal with in preparing for the Badgers. He doesn’t know with any certainty who their quarterback is going to be.

Ahead of the game, Lanning explained that this means that they need to prepare for all of Wisconsin’s quarterbacks. At the same time, even as each quarterback is unique, the offensive identity that the Badgers have is still there.

“Yeah, you’ve got to prepare for all of them,” Dan Lanning said. “And then they’re all a little bit different, right? There’s a little bit more of a run game with 18 [Danny O’Neil]. It’s a little bit different offense with each, but they do have an identity with what they try to do regardless of who is in there. So we’ve just got to be aware of which guy is on the field and what it looks like.”

Injuries have been the primary catalyst for Wisconsin’s quarterback issues. Head coach Luke Fickell opened the season with Billy Edwards Jr. under center. However, he’s been severely limited with a knee injury. Recently, Fickell shared where Edwards is at in his recovery. Unfortunately, it’s still very much up in the air.

“I don’t know that,” Fickell said. “We didn’t do nearly as much with him later in the week. You know, that’s one of those things. As we get to Tuesday, we’re trying to say that’s, don’t do too much, and then figure out where we are on Tuesday. So we don’t know right now. We’re hoping that it’s better, and we have to continue to figure that out. That’s one of those things he said, What can make a change and give you a change? Well, that could be one, but just don’t know when he is going to be available.”

Next up was Danny O’Neil. However, he’s had his own injury concerns. However, he would also suffer an injury, which has forced Hunter Simmons into action. In the last three games, since Simmons has been forced into action, Wisconsin has been shutout twice and scored a total of just 10 points. Wisconsin is 0-3 in those games, all of which were against Big Ten opponents.

It’s been a difficult year for Wisconsin throwing the football. The Badgers are just 123rd nationally in passing offense, averaging 161.6 passing yards per game. That’s up against a Ducks team second in passing defense, averaging 130.1 yards allowed per game.

Dan Lanning and Oregon suffered a loss already. A second would make it very difficult to get to the Big Ten Championship this season. More importantly, it could cost them a shot at the College Football Playoff. So, Lanning knows not to overlook any opponent, even one that has struggled this season like Wisconsin.