2007: Bret Bielema’s 12-1 record in his inaugural campaign gave the Badger faithful some hopes for an even better mark last season. Unfortunately for Wisconsin, the sophomore slump affects coaches as well as it went 9-4 with bad losses to Illinois and Penn State. All in all, a tough year for Wisky considering what the expectations were at the onset.
Strengths: When you have a new quarterback and a running back coming off of an injury, you want to have a front line that can protect them as much as possible. Luckily for Wisconsin, they have all five starters returning to the offensive line.
It might sound strange to think this group of big men can hold people back when they gave up 33 sacks the season before. However, 10 of those sacks came against Ohio State when the unit was badly banged up. Now all five starters are back at full strength. And since they average 316.2 pounds per body, the chances of pushing them around is slim (pun not intended).
The Badgers’ defensive line is nothing to sneeze at either, returning three members of a unit that allowed 139.8 yards per game on the ground last season. The stalwarts of this crew are DT Mike Newkirk and DE Matt Shaughnessy, who combined for 32 tackles and seven sacks. Those numbers are bound to increase this season with the help of a mobile linebacking corp right behind them.
Weaknesses: It’s hard to think of the Badgers’ receiving corp as a weak point since they return three starters back from last season. But that number might be misleading as two of those happen to be lining up at the tight end position.
Sophomore David Gilreath enters the starting lineup this season after having just one reception in all of 2007. Outside of incumbent starter Kyle Jefferson and Gilreath, the combined reception total of the remainder of the receiving corp is three…not three per game, but three for the year.
If there is any silver lining to this issue it is that they’ve had the spring to learn the offense. Plus the receivers will also be back on the field in August. So while the beginning of the season will most likely be bumpy because of that inexperience, it will get better by the end of 2008.
Player to Watch: Another issue the receivers will contend with, as well as everyone else on the field, is how well Allan Evridge performs under center. Evridge hasn’t had a storied career up to this point. He only completed 47.9 percent of his passes in Manhattan and had more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (six).
The popular belief is that he’ll grow into the offense fast and be able to improve that completion percentage. If that doesn’t happen as quick as everyone thinks, Evridge will use his speed to make things happen. And that isn’t a bad option considering he ran for 203 yards and four touchdowns back at Kansas State in 2005.
Returning Starters: 19 (10 on offense, 9 on defense)
Schedule: Wisky’s schedule is relatively manageable outside of one four-game stretch, but what a gauntlet it will be. It starts with a road tilts at an improved Fresno State squad followed up to a trip to Ann Arbor for a scuffle with the Wolverines. Not making matters any better is following that run is home matches versus Ohio State and Penn State in what will dictate the Badgers’ chances in the Big Ten.
Let Down: October 18 at Iowa. That four-game run we just mentioned lead directly into this road battle with the Hawkeyes. And no matter how well conditioned Bielema has his players, it will be a rough game with an Iowa squad that should be much better than it was in 07.
Look Ahead: September 6 versus Marshall. It’s been a while since the Thundering Herd could be in a spot to put a bit of fear in a BCS school. And while we’re not talking of an upset, the thoughts of the trip out West could prove difficult for the Badgers.
Good Bets:
Sept. 13 at Fresno State…The Badgers don’t travel well to the West Coast and didn’t play great at UNLV last year. While the Bulldogs aren’t the Runnin’ Rebels, there is some history we can play in this spot. Wisky is just 7-7 SU and 8-6 ATS when playing out West since 1986…nothing major there, but the ‘under’ is 9-5 in that time.
Oct. 11 versus Penn State…It’s safe to say that Joe Paterno isn’t a member of the Bret Bielema Fan Club after the stalling tactics Wisconsin pulled on a few kickoffs two years back. Or perhaps he doesn’t like the Badgers in general as they’re 5-2 when facing Penn State in Madison.
Prediction: This Badgers club could have the trappings of a team that would surprise a lot of people. The problem with that actually happening is having their toughest stretch of games near the beginning of the season when the new starters are still feeling themselves out. The game at Fresno State will temper expectations right off the bat and the home tilt with Ohio State will put them in their place in the Big Ten. But what will hurt the Wisky faithful is a tough loss to Iowa for another 9-3 record for the regular season.
You can reach Judd Hall via e-mail at judd@vegasinsider.com
