From the incredible performance of Melvin Gordon last season (2,587 yards, Heisman Trophy runner-up) to the thrilling 34-31 OT victory over Auburn in the Outback Bowl, 2014 appeared to be a memorable year as the Wisconsin Badgers finished the season 10-2. Yet, despite the success, there were some erasable moments including Badgers former head coach Gary Andersen bolting for Oregon State after two seasons. With the top coaching position vacant, Wisconsin went back to the future as they hired Paul Chryst, former player (1986-1988) and previous offensive coordinator for Wisconsin (2005-2011).
There will be some differences under the tutelage of Chryst, but like vintage Wisconsin, the Badgers will continue to rely on their rushing attack and their offensive line.
Corey Clement takes over as the featured running back and while it is highly unlikely Gordon’s historic numbers will be replicated, Clement is still a legitimate starter as he nearly eclipsed 1,000 yards last year, rushing for 949 yards and nine touchdowns while touching the pigskin only 10.5 carries per contest.
It will be interesting to see if the O-line can match the same durability of their predecessors especially with three new starters alongside stalwarts center Dan Voltz and left tackle Tyler Marz. It may take some time to come together cohesively but given the pedigree and recruiting history of this position, there is definitely the talent to be a dominant unit.
The rushing attack also needs to be solid because the passing offense last year was abysmal (118th in the FBS) and it remains to be seen if fifth-year senior quarterback Joel Stave can be reliable or not. In 2013, Stave tossed 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, completing 62% of his passes, but in 2014, he threw 10 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Stave does not have many weapons at his disposal and the only perennial threat is receiver Alex Erickson, who led the team with 55 catches and 772 yards. Chryst’s offensive emphasizes the tight end position and sophomore Troy Fumagalli has showed some promising potential, though he only hauled in 14 passes for 187 yards as a freshman.
Meanwhile, on defense, Chryst was able to retain the coaching services of Dave Aranda as he agreed to stay in Madison instead of following Andersen out West. And if last year was any indication when Wisconsin allowed the fewest passing yards in the Big Ten and was the No. 4 ranked defense overall in the nation, this unit could be special. With several key players such as defensive lineman Warren Herring and linebackers Marcus Trotter and Derek Landisch departing, there is a soft spot in the interior of the defense. Nevertheless, both aforementioned linebackers ranked second and third respectively in total tackles last season so there is optimism that their replacements, Leon Jacobs and T.J. Edwards can have similar success.
In addition, the Badgers return one of the best pass-rushing bookends in the conference with linebackers Vince Biegel and Joe Schobert. Biegel led the team with 16.5 tackles for loss last year as a sophomore and Schobert led the Badgers with seven passes broken up and two forced fumbles.
Besides the front seven, Wisconsin returns an experienced secondary unit led by strong safety Michael Caputo, who totaled a team-high 106 tackles along with cornerbacks Darius Hillary and Sojourn Shelton, The free safety position will be manned by Tanner McEvoy who is transitioning from quarterback back to his original position and with his 6-6 frame and athleticism could be a player to watch. Though experienced, the starting defensive backs need to step up after only combining for one interception last year.
As far as schedule is concerned, Wisconsin opens the season with their toughest game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jerry World in the AdvoCare Classic but then have three relatively pedestrian out-of-conference games at home against Miami (OH), Troy and Hawaii. Then, the Badgers host Iowa, a team they have defeated three straight times before traveling to Nebraska, after beating the Cornhuskers 59-24 last year. Following the road trip, the Badgers enter the stretch run with a four-game slate - Purdue, at Illinois, - Rutgers and at Maryland that should yield several victories before hosting pesky Northwestern, who upset the Badgers last season. It could very well come down to the season finale to decide the winner of the west with a trip to fierce rival Minnesota. In the end, this writer believes the Badgers finish 10-2, 7-1 in Big Ten, en route to their second consecutive Big Ten West crown.