Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus released its top three graded offensive lines through the first three weeks of the 2022 college football season.
On the top of the said list was the Wisconsin Badgers offensive line (88.6), followed by Arkansas (87.4) and Baylor (86.5).
This development does seem a bit puzzling, if I’m being honest. UW’s offensive line has performed well but hasn’t dominated its non-conference opponents as many had hoped.
Jack Nelson and Tyler Beach have been stalwarts on the left side for the Badgers. But, starting center, Joe Tippmann has gone through some unexpected struggles – while the right side has been in flux without starting right tackle Riley Mahlman.
Last week, coach Bostad rotated Tanor Bortolini in at right guard and Trey Wedig at right tackle over Logan Brown – leaving some question marks among UW’s starting five moving forward.
According to PFF, this top ranking is a product of the Badgers grading out as the No. 15 pass-blocking unit in the country and the No. 12 run-blocking OL – balance.
Once fully healthy, I believe there is more than enough talent for the Badgers to emerge as an elite offensive line once they gel – I just haven’t seen it yet.
Highest-graded offensive lines in the country:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 20, 2022
🥇 Wisconsin – 89.6
🥈 Arkansas – 87.4
🥉 Baylor – 86.5 pic.twitter.com/sAervPKDtm
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzzyj3n3jt6m7 player_id=none image=https://badgerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.