Here is the other Big Ten football preview I promised. To check out all the other Big Ten football previews go to www.comradio.psu.edu in the near future, as all 11 teams should be up by the start of classes at Penn State, which is August 24.
Wisconsin Badgers
LAST SEASON: In 2008 Wisconsin went 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten, which left them in a three-way-tie for sixth with Illinois and Minnesota. The Badgers ended the season on a sour note with a 42-13 loss to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl. In 2006, the first year under Brett Bielema, Wisconsin went 12-1, but saw their record drop to 9-4 in 2007 and then to just seven wins in ’08. They played a school-record six games that were decided by three points or less, collecting a 3-3 record in those games. The major problem for Wisconsin was mistakes and penalties, which cost them some of those close games.
STRENGHTS: Like always, Wisconsin will have one of the biggest lines in the Big Ten, led by junior tackle Gabe Carimi and his 6’ 8”, 313 pound frame. The four other projected starters are all more than 300 pounds as well. The receiving core is another strength on the offense this year. Junior, Isaac Anderson is expected to be the number one option; he caught 21 passes for 286 yards in 2008. David Gilreath and Nick Toon are also expected to be viable options at receiver. True freshman Kraig Appleton is talented enough to play from day one and his 6’ 4” frame will make a huge impact. Also equating into the passing attack will be tight ends Garrett Graham and Lance Kendricks. On the defensive side, the backfield will be a strength because seven players have started at some point in their college career. Cornerback Aaron Henry missed last season with a knee injury but is poised to make a big impact this year. The safety position is stacked with playmakers, including Chris Maragos, Shane Cater, Aubrey Pleasant and Jay Valai.
WEAKNESSES: The quarterback position is where the badgers need improvement. Dustin Sherer started the last seven games for Wisconsin last season, but only threw six touchdowns compared to five interceptions. Redshirt QB Curt Phillips, who possesses good athletic ability, is in an open competition with Sherer in camp to see who will quarterback the Badgers week one. On the defensive side the weakness is at the tackle positions. Seniors Jeff Stehle and Dan Moore are expected to start, but a defensive tackles- by-committee is expected to take place, with senior Dan Cascone and sophomore Patrick Butrym joining the rotation.
KEY PLAYERS LOST: Four Wisconsin players were drafted to the NFL, and oddly enough all four went in the third round. DE Matt Shaughnessy was the first picked at number 71 and his four sacks will be missed. OLB DeAndre Levy, who recorded 84 tackles last season, went at pick 76. OT Kraig Urbik went at 79 and TE Travis Beckum went at 100. Running back P.J. Hill jumped town early, but went undrafted. This means John Clay, who was stealing carries from Hill anyways as a freshman, will be leaned upon heavily in 2009.
KEY RETURNEES: Wisconsin only gets back 10 starters, six on offense and four on defense. The player they will rely most heavily is Clay, and he wasn’t a starter last season. He rushed for 884 yards and nine TD’s as a freshman. Offensive tackle Gabe Carimi is considered a stud up front and will anchor the line, which also returns starter John Moffitt at center. Anderson and Gilreath return at the starting receiver positions, and Graham at one of the tight end positions. On the defense, the four returning starters are O’Brien Schofield at DE, Jaevery McFadden at LB, Niles Brinkley at CB, and Valai at safety. The special teams are solid, with the return of Groza award semi-finalist, kicker, Philip Welch. Punter Brad Nortman also returns coming off a season where he averaged 41.8 yards per punt.
NEWCOMERS: WR Kraig Appleton, from East St. Louis, MO is expected to make a big splash in Madison. Redshirt freshman QB Curt Phillips could win the starting job and be a big play maker with the ball touching his hands every play. Also, freshman RB Montee Ball is loved by the coaches, but might not get too many carries sitting behind Clay, Zach Brown and Erik Smith on the depth chart. DT Jordan Kohout could be the only true freshman on the defensive side to not be red shirted in 2009.
SEASON OUTLOOK: 2009 is a season that could swing either way, from a Big Ten dark horse to a middle of the road team. Most experts expect Wisconsin to have another season like in 2008 and slip into a middle to low bowl game. The schedule looks to shape up fairly well for a good record due in part to the fact the Badgers do not have to play Penn State or Illinois in the Big Ten. Four home games start their schedule off, the first three against non-conference opponents in Northern Illinois, Fresno State and Wofford. The fourth home game is Wisconsin’s Big Ten opener against Michigan State, which will be their first tough test. Their other two toughest Big Ten games will be on back-to-back weeks, first at Ohio State October 10 and then home against Iowa October 17. Their other five Big Ten games include dates at Minnesota, Indiana and Northwestern, and home games against Purdue and Michigan. Wisconsin hits the road for their last regular season game at Hawaii on December 5. Rivals.com ranked Wisconsin number 49 in their preseason top 120 rankings and the Badgers received six votes in the USA Today Top 25 Preseason Poll. Considering their schedule expect Wisconsin to finish with anywhere from six to nine wins, depending on how well whoever wins their quarterback job plays.
-Mark-
