BadgerBlitz.com returns the weekly 'Stock Up, Stock Down' for the 2023 season. In this series, we'll offer evaluations of players on Wisconsin's roster in the context of their 'stock.' Performance, playing time and opportunity are all factored into the movement of a player's stock.

Let's start with the obvious. Braedyn Locke had a phenomenal second-half performance against Illinois that propelled the Badgers to a much-needed victory that may ultimately be remembered as a turning point in the season.

Locke and the offense started slow, and the gunslinger coughed up the football on Wisconsin's second drive. He didn't let the slow start dictate how the rest of the day would unfold, however. On the offense's last chance to score before half, he uncorked completions of nine, 19 and 32 yards to CJ Williams and Will Pauling to erase the zero on the scoreboard for the Badgers. Despite his early struggles, Locke kept his composure and ultimately led the Badgers to a win. On the final touchdown drive, Locke was dialed in. Pauling said he saw "something different in his eyes."

After having to prove himself as a capable starting quarterback in his first career start, the road doesn't get any easier for Locke. He's now tasked with attempting to topple the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes. Welcome to the big time.

Pauling had gotten some attention prior to the Illinois game after he tallied eight catches in back-to-back weeks. The shifty slot receiver was racking up receptions, but none had been a game-breaking play. He was also held without a touchdown on the season. Both those things changed in Champaign.

With Wisconsin down 21-10 and in dire need of a play to put themselves back within striking distance, Pauling took matters into his own hands. Locke lofted a ball to the end zone, where Pauling ripped it away from an Illini defender and hit the "too small" celebration, a score that, with the following two-point conversion, would ultimately bring the Badgers within three.

It was his first career collegiate touchdown, and it came at an especially sweet time. Pauling, an Illinois native, was largely ignored by the Fighting Illini coming out of high school. They can't ignore him now.

Pauling now easily leads Wisconsin in both catches (37) and yards (398). He's cemented his place as the WR1 in Madison.

Maema Njongmeta once again finds himself in this article, although this week his trajectory is upward. After playing a puzzling six snaps against Iowa, making little to no impact whatsoever, the linebacker was everywhere against Illinois and a big reason the Badgers' defense was able to close out Luke Altmyer and the Illini late.

Njongmeta finished with 12 total tackles, seven of which were solo and two of which were tackles-for-loss. He also sacked Altmyer, who Wisconsin struggled to get on the ground all afternoon, to set up the drive in which Wisconsin would cut the deficit to three points.

It's been a strange, up-and-down season for Njongmeta, but he came to play against Illinois. It'll be interesting to see who Mike Tressel elects to focus on against the Buckeyes, but Njongmeta, like the rest of the inside linebackers, should have their eyes set on revenge.

Smith struggled against Illinois, and was eventually supplanted at outside cornerback by Nyzier Fourqurean.

In the first quarter, Smith was in coverage on Illini receiver Pat Bryant, who bodied him down the sideline and got position for a 27-yard catch that flipped the field. Illinois would eventually score on that drive.

Late in the second quarter, the corner was once again tested in coverage in a big spot. With Illinois threatening on the Badgers' three yard line, Smith was matched up in coverage with tight end Tip Reiman. It didn't end well; Reiman secured the catch over the smaller corner and scored to take what was at the time a commanding two score lead.

It'll be fascinating to see how the staff re-integrates Smith this week with the Buckeyes coming to town. Smith, like the rest of Wisconsin's cornerbacks, struggled mightily in the matchup with Ohio State last season. Will Tressel give smith a chance to redeem himself, or will he ride with the less battle-tested Fourqurean on the outside?

It's tough to put Jackson Acker in this spot, because with only two carries against Illinois, the tailback didn't get much of a chance to make an impact. The fact that he was limited to two carries, however, is telling in and of itself.

As mentioned, Acker had two carries for five yards. After underutilizing his star tailback against Iowa, Luke Fickell made a concerted effort to ride Braelon Allen, and it worked — the halfback piled up 145 yards and at times put the offense on his back. Still, Allen played 72 snaps, which is utterly unsustainable, especially considering his history of injuries down the stretch.

At his weekly press conference on Monday, Fickell acknowledged the need to manage Allen's workload. "We're not going to be able to play 72 snaps with Braelon Allen at tailback. He did an unbelievable job, maybe he was out for 8-10 plays. You can't continue to do that," he said.

And yet, Fickell didn't mention Acker whatsoever. The coach knows he needs to get other running backs involved, but clearly, Acker and company haven't earned enough trust to be turned to in high-pressure situations. Hopefully for Acker, this downward trajectory is only temporary, as he should get more chances next week as Fickell acknowledges the need to spell Allen.

_________________________________________________

*Chat about this article in The Badgers' Den

*Check out our videos, interviews, and Q&As on our YouTube channel

*Subscribe and listen to the BadgerBlitz.com podcast (as seen on Apple, Google, Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts)

*Follow us on Twitter: @McNamaraRivals, @TheBadgerNation, @RaulV45, @seamus_rohrer, @DonnieSlusher_

*Like us on Facebook