Bart Houston Has Plenty to Work On Before Big Ten Play

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Bart Houston led the Wisconsin Badgers to an upset over LSU. But there’s still work to do for the fifth year senior.

Fifth year senior Bart Houston finally got the nod to lead the Wisconsin Badgers under center when he was named the team’s starter by head coach Paul Chryst right before the season started. And although he led the Badgers to one of the biggest upsets in program history after defeating the LSU Tigers 16-14 at Lambeau Field, there is still a lot Houston must work on before Big Ten play begins in a couple of weeks.

The entire game wasn’t all bad for Houston as he did make some nice throws. He started the game relaxed and loose, and seemed poised in the pocket right out of the gates. Houston found tight end and the team’s leading receiver Troy Fumagalli early and often and also made some nice throws to wide receiver Rob Wheelwright as well. But on the Badgers third drive of the game, a 13 play, 51 yard drive that chewed a lot of the clock, Houston made a horrible decision and threw an interception in the end zone right into the hands of LSU defensive back Rickey Jefferson.

It was after that play that Houston seemed to get a little rattled and made some questionable decisions throughout the game. He still relied on Fumagalli, who finished the game with seven receptions and 100 yards. But there some throws sailed on Houston leading to some near picks that could have really derailed this offense. One of those throws did come well into the third quarter when Wisconsin was pinned deep in their own territory and hanging to a 13-0 lead. Looking to make a play on third down, Houston’s first look was to Fumagalli who was covered. He then stared down Wheelwright on the left side and threw it right into the breadbasket of cornerback Tre’Davious White who took it in for six. That play really flipped the momentum to the side of LSU and could have meant the end for the Badgers.

I do like the decision to go with Houston who has the most familiarity with the program. But after Saturday’s win, Wisconsin’s expectations now take a major jump. With Wisconsin’s brutal Big Ten schedule rearing its ugly head starting Sept. 24 (at Michigan State, at Michigan, BYE, Ohio State, at Iowa), a lot of mistakes need to be cleaned up by then. Houston needs to make better decisions throwing the football.

He and the Badgers have the next two weeks at home against Akron and Georgia State to work on the passing game and make sure everyone can get on the same page before heading into league play.