Over its last two games, the Wisconsin offense simply has not been the same as the one that won the first five weeks, and the Badgers’ numbers speak for themselves.

Quarterback Scott Tolzien threw five interceptions to zero touchdowns against Ohio State and Iowa after throwing nine touchdowns to just three picks through the first five games. Sophomore running back John Clay averaged 67 yards rushing per game over the last two after picking up 116.4 per game through the Minnesota game, though he seemed to be a bit tentative after injuring his ankle midway through the second quarter of the Iowa game.

Tight end Garrett Graham led the Badgers in receiving with 23 total receptions and 53.6 yards per game but managed just six catches for 63 yards in the last two contests, due in large part to a concussion that knocked him out early against the Hawkeyes.

And as a unit, the Wisconsin offense went from averaging 35 points per game in the first five weeks but managed just 11.5 per game against the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes.

“When we were having success in the beginning of the year, guys were making plays,” Tolzien said. “And the last two games we weren’t as a collective unit. So, that was a big point of emphasis (this week).”

The lack of plays made by the Wisconsin offense, for the most part, can be attributed to three major issues: opportunistic Iowa and Ohio State defenses; injuries to players like Clay, Graham and offensive lineman Gabe Carimi; and a lack of protection for Tolzien in the backfield.

Fortunately for the Badgers, the first two should not be an issue the rest of the season.

First, the bye week allowed Clay, Graham and Carimi (along with other injured players) to get some much-needed rest, which should allow them to return at or near 100 percent.

“I thought it was good for John and Garrett, it was good for Gabe, it was good for all of our guys,” UW offensive coordinator Paul Chryst said of the bye week. “As soon as you get to this point in the year, the season takes a little bit of wear on you, so I thought it was good for them to get some rest.”

As for the second factor, with Iowa and Ohio State behind them, the Badgers should enjoy a relatively easy schedule in their remaining games.

The Hawkeyes and Buckeyes have arguably the two best defenses in the Big Ten, which means the Wisconsin offensive attack should have much more success the rest of the way.

According to Chryst, though, there isn’t much to be done to fix the UW offense anyway.

“You’ve got to make plays and you’ve got to protect the football,” Chryst said. “It’s pretty simple. I mean, it’s not easy, but it’s simple. We weren’t doing the things that you need to do to win games.”

The only true issue remaining then would appear to be protecting Tolzien, who has been pressured far more in the last two games than he had been in five games prior.

As for the solution, though, Tolzien is not worried.

“It’s a point of emphasis, but I have full faith in our line and protection,” he said. “We’ll still be able to move the ball.”

In particular, getting Clay plenty of touches is something the Badgers will need to be able to do to move the ball well as a part of bouncing back from a pair of consecutive losses.

After posting consecutive 32-carry performances and averaging 163 rushing yards per game in wins over Big Ten foes Michigan State and Minnesota, Clay took a big step back in the Badgers’ losses.

The combination of an increased focus on the part of opposing defenses to stop Clay and an ankle injury in the second quarter resulted in the sophomore picking up just 17 yards on 11 carries over the final three periods against the Hawkeyes. It also played a large role in the Badgers only picking up 66 yards over the final 38 minutes.

“I want to do anything possible that I can do to help this team,” Clay said. “Just sitting back there, just having that bad taste in our mouths — we’re not trying to have that anymore.”

In the end, though, what Wisconsin is looking for is balance. After five games, the Badgers averaged more than 215 yards per game both through the air and on the ground. In the past two games, however, Wisconsin has been more one-dimensional offensively.

Specifically, the Badgers’ rushing attack has dropped off with both the Ohio State and Iowa defenses focusing on stopping the run and forcing Wisconsin to beat them through the air.

“We want to get everyone involved,” Tolzien said. “We’ve been best when everyone has had good games collectively, so that’s the goal.”