Two areas where Wisconsin desperately needs Colton Joseph to improve

There are two areas where Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Colton Joseph desperately needs to improve.

Of the 18 teams in the Big Ten, Joseph currently sports the fifth-lowest completion percentage (59.6%) and is tied for the sixth-lowest yards per attempt (7.5).

Wisconsin’s offense relies on the run-game, but Joseph came to town to try and get this passing game back on track.

While he had a highlight-reel touchdown against Notre Dame, he left a lot to be desired against Western Illinois, and these two statistics are a major cause for concern.

Colton Joseph showed flashes in the first half.

Another look at the 28-yard TD to Malachi Coleman.#Badgerspic.twitter.com/geNsFj9kc7

— Andrew Bandstra (@andrewbandstra) September 7, 2026

Keep in mind, Jeremy Hecklinski is dead last at 43.8%, though he’s only attempted 16 passes and didn’t appear at all in Iowa’s Week 2 victory against Iowa State.

Knowing that, Joseph has the fourth-worst completion percentage among starting quarterbacks in the conference.

To see the Old Dominion transfer complete only 54.6% of his passes against the Leathernecks is a bit alarming, especially knowing he completed 63.3% against Notre Dame, a National Championship contender, the week prior.

downfield passing game isn’t consistent

The #Badgers offense missed a potential walk-in touchdown last night.

WR Chris Brooks Jr is wide open off the bunch formation.

Instead, Colton Joseph misses him and throws into heavy traffic. pic.twitter.com/UsSPH2I7Y5

— Seamus (@seamus_rohrer) September 7, 2026

Joseph is tied for 11th in the conference with his longest pass of the year being 51 yards, but averaging just 7.5 yards per attempt is the third lowest among that group in particular.

No one is asking Joseph to throw the ball downfield every drive, but again, among starting QBs in this conference, he’s got a yards per completion percentage that is tied with Drake Lindsey and is only better than Hank Brown, Demond Williams Jr., Bryce Underwood, and Malik Washington.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Jordon Lawrenz on X @jordonlaw_pxp.

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Two areas where Wisconsin desperately needs Colton Joseph to improve