2007 Wisconsin Badgers College Football Predictions & Season Preview
June 6, 2008
There are not many folks giving the Wisconsin Badgers any credit after having a brilliant 12-1 season a year ago behind 1st-year head coach Bret Bielema. The Badgers rank 6th Nationally and 2nd in the Big Ten with preseason rankings. Obviously you can’t rank the Badgers above the Wolverines, but at least give this team the respect they deserve. With 18 returning starters and a home game with Michigan, this Badgers’ squad could win the Big Ten.
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The Badgers return 9 starters on offense, but lose their top 2 players from the 2006 season in Joe Thomas and John Stocco. Thomas was the 3rd overall pick in the NFL Draft and running back P.J. Hill will miss this horse mightily. The future still looks bright at the quarterback position with Tyler Donovan who will likely get the first shot under center. Donovan completed 17 of 24 passes for 228 yards in a 24-21 victory at Iowa as John Stocco’s replacement. Kinnick Stadium in Iowa is a tough place for any foe to come out victorious, so Donovan has to be confident after accomplishing this feat.
Quarterback Allan Evridge transferred from Kansas State to Wisconsin as Donovan’s only competition. Evridge started six games for the Wildcats as a red-shirt freshman. Whoever gets the nod at quarterback will have a plethora of proven receivers to target. Tight end Travis Beckum can stretch a defense. His 61 receptions for 903 yards was very impressive last season after switching from defense to offense in 2006. Former walk-on Luke Swan had 35 catches and is their top route runner while Paul Hubbard is their best athlete at wideout as the former Big Ten long jump champion.
P.J. Hill will be the No. 1 option on offense who edged out Michigan’s Mike Hart for the Big Ten rushing title. Hill racked up 1,569 yards on 311 carries with 15 scores a year ago. He takes a pounding because of his physical rushing style and exclaims, “I’ve got to learn how to avoid tackles sometime because I like contact, a lot.” Coach Bielema loves his running style and will utilize Hill for more than 311 carries in 2007 as long as he’s healthy.
Only Virginia Tech yielded fewer points last season than the Badgers on defense. Wisconsin ranked 5 th Nationally in Total Defense last season and only has to replace 4 starters on this unit. Sophomore Elijah Hodge will take over for Mark Zalewski, the team’s leading tackler in 2006. Hodge is the brother of former Iowa star Abdul Hodge who is now in the NFL. Jonathan Casillas, the leading returning tackler, and DeAndre Levy, the team’s leading sack leader will be helping Hodge at linebacker.
The Badgers will get great contributions on their defensive line with Matt Shaughnessy coming off the edge and the inside trio of Jason Chapman, Nick Hayden and Mike Newkirk. The speedy Jack Ikegwuonu and Allen Langford, who had a team-high three interceptions, will hold down the corners. The safeties will be Shane Carter, the brother of NFL Hall of Fame widw receiver Chris Carter, and Aubrey Pleasant. Both are coming off Medical Redshirts in ‘06.
The Badgers should be able to muster up a fast start with four of their first five games coming at Camp Randall Stadium, where the Badgers have reeled off victories in 18 of their last 19 games. Consecutive road trips to Illinois and Penn State in early October could make or break Wisconsin’s season. As long as the quarterback position is stable, Wisconsin can surpass expectations in 2007.
Odds to Win BCS:
Sportsbook:
30-1
BetUS:
35-1
Bodog:
30-1
Odds to Win Big 10:
BetUS:
+375
