2008 Wisconsin Football Preview
by Matthew Murray
June 29th, 2008
OFFENSE
With a new season for the Badgers comes a new quarterback in what has become a Wisconsin tradition over the last three years. However, unlike the cases of John Stocco and Tyler Donovan, there is no clear cut favorite this time around in the battle for QB. Allan Evridge, a fifth-year senior and Kansas State transfer, and Dustin Sherer, a junior with only three career pass attempts, are the two frontrunners for the position.
What the Badgers lack in experience at quarterback they gain with the resilience of their offensive line. Led by senior RG Kraig Urbik who has started 39 straight games for the Badgers, the o-line brings back four repeat starters.
Two of the Badgers’ biggest offensive weapons also return in RB P.J. Hill and TE Travis Beckum. Hill is looking to add to some already impressive statistical totals during his junior year in Wisconsin’s backfield. Hill has amassed 29 rushing touchdowns and 2,781 yards on 544 carries. Meanwhile, the senior Beckum - who hauled in 75 receptions for 982 yards in 2007 - has every intention of becoming the Badgers’ leading receiver for the second straight season. Beckum is only 67 receptions short of the school record for most career receptions.
Although Wisconsin will mostly concern itself with running the football, the sophomore wide receiving tandem of Kyle Jefferson and David Gilreath should find a way to make a difference in close ball games. Gilreath has potential breakaway speed.
DEFENSE
There is no doubt that the Wisconsin D will be anchored by the veterans entrenched on the defensive line. Headed by DE Matt Shaughnessy - the team’s defensive MVP in 2007 - the Badgers remain strong up front with three returning starters. The line will also be buoyed by the arrival of junior college transfer Dan Moore whose inside-outside versatility bodes well for the team’s depth.
Wisconsin’s linebacking core will contribute to a solid contingent of playmakers as the team’s leading tackler from a year ago - senior captain Jonathan Casillas - will be joined once again by Elijiah Hodge and DeAndre Levy. Coach Bret Bielema will be relying on this LB triumvirate to limit miscues in defending the opposition’s rushing attack.
After shutdown cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu bolted for the NFL, the Badgers biggest weakness became evident. The corners are big question marks for Wisconsin as senior Allen Langford will be coming off of knee surgery and Aaron Henry recovers from an ACL tear. Jay Valai, a true sophomore, is slated to start at strong safety despite his well-chronicled troubles with long coverage. That leaves junior free safety Shane Carter - the conference leader in interceptions [7] in 2007 - as the only sure thing in the Badger secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Gone are punter Kenny DeBauche and Wisconsin’s second-leading all-time scorer placekicker Taylor Mehlhaff. In their place step two unknown freshmen, Brad Nortman and Philip Welch. The kicking game already seems to be in shambles and will continue to trouble the Badgers throughout 2008.
WR David Gilreath - who stood out as a kick return specialist last season - will be back as the KR for the Badgers. Gilreath set school records for kickoff return yards in a season [967] and in a game [189] in 2007. He also averaged 14.0 yards per punt return to lead the Big Ten. It goes without saying then that Gilreath is a consistent threat to find the end zone in almost any punting or kicking situation.
OVERALL
Coach Bret Bielema is 21-5 in his first two years as head coach of the Badgers and has raised the level of expectations in Madison. After a disappointing 21-17 loss to Tennessee in the Outback Bowl at the end of last season, Bielema is hoping his team returns to the form of his 2006 squad that went 12-1.
The Badgers’ non-conference schedule is somewhat favorable with home games against the likes of Akron and Cal Poly. However, the team will face a tough road test on Sept. 13 when they travel out to Fresno State to take on the Bulldogs.
Wisconsin’s Big Ten schedule poses many threats to the team’s 14-game home winning streak as conference heavyweights Ohio State and Penn State visit Camp Randall Stadium on back to back weekend evenings in October. The Badgers’ most challenging conference away game will be in Lansing, Mich., when the team meets the Spartans of Michigan State.
The keys to the 2008 season will be the play of an inexperienced quarterback, the performance of a relatively porous secondary and the efficiency of the unproven kicking game. Both lines are strong points for the Badgers. Wisconsin can also boast about its depth at tailback and strength at the tight end position. Yet, if Bucky attempts to contend for the Big Ten crown it desperately needs to improve upon last year’s woeful 2-3 road record.
New defensive coordinator Dave Doeren is going to have his hands full in his first year at Wisconsin. With injuries plaguing the Badgers at almost every position during the spring season, Wisconsin will need to remain healthy during the course of the year if it hopes to repeat or even improve upon last year’s nine-win season.
PREDICTION: 10-2 (6-2)
