In their highly anticipated season opener, the Wisconsin Badgers emerged victorious, defeating the Western Michigan Broncos with a final score of 28-14 at Camp Randall Stadium on Friday night. The game started off as a closely contested battle, but the Badgers eventually found their footing in the fourth quarter, relying on a strong running game to secure the win. Here are the three major takeaways from Wisconsin's impressive season debut.

One of the standout aspects of the Badgers' performance was their conservative approach, which raised some concerns. It was expected that they would rely heavily on their running game against an inferior opponent, prioritizing a safe strategy to control the outcome. However, the decision-making appeared overly cautious, possibly draining the offense of much-needed energy. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke's passes were predominantly short and low-risk, which gave the impression that the team was deliberately hiding their aerial prowess. Although the opposing team's pass defense posed little threat, the coaches failed to capitalize on the opportunities for big plays and lacked creativity in their play-calling.

Another notable observation was the unexpected battle in the line of scrimmage, which seemed closer than anticipated in a matchup against a team from the MAC conference. Wisconsin's defensive line struggled, especially with the absence of James Thompson, their defensive leader. The unproven group faced difficulties throughout the game, leaving coach Luke Fickell frustrated with their performance. Fickell expressed the need for more discipline and emphasized the importance of creating negative yardage plays to avoid falling into a methodical style of gameplay. While Western Michigan possessed an experienced offensive line, the Badgers will need to make significant adjustments to compete against stronger opponents in the future.

On the offensive front, the Wisconsin offensive line held their ground against a relatively average defensive front. The opponent's lack of standout players was compensated by their numerical advantage, often anticipating the Badgers' running plays. The most successful runs occurred when the offense spread out and became less predictable. The creativeness of Wisconsin's offense was questionable at times, as they struggled to consistently capitalize on opportunities presented by their running backs.

Despite preseason uncertainties in the running back room, both Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker showcased their skills and provided optimism for the remainder of the season. Walker made an immediate impact, displaying his versatility with rushes and receptions during the opening drive. He finished the game with 66 rushing yards and a touchdown. Mellusi, on the other hand, gradually gained momentum throughout the game, exhibiting his durability and finishing with 82 rushing yards and a touchdown. The coaching decision to prioritize playing Cade Yacamelli over the talented freshmen Dilin Jones and Darrion Dupree raised some eyebrows, as an opportunity to evaluate the young talents was missed.

The Wisconsin Badgers' season opener demonstrated both promising performances and areas that require improvement. While their conservative approach and lack of creativity raised concerns, the impressive showing by the running back duo of Mellusi and Walker provided reassurance for the team's offensive capabilities. The Badgers will need to refine their strategies, particularly on the defensive line, if they hope to build momentum and succeed against tougher opponents in the upcoming season.