2008 Wisconsin Badgers


July 2, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Bret Bielema boasts a 21-5 record in his first two seasons as the Badgers’ head man.  It looks to be another successful year in his third season as you will see with our 2008 Wisconsin Badgers football predictions below.  A four-deep backfield and an experienced offensive line will make this offense a tough one to stop in Big Ten play.  This team didn’t lose a single home game all season last year, and they’ll  have to improve on their road record if they are to compete with the Buckeyes’ of the world for the Big Ten title.

Offense:

The Badgers will have someone different at quarterback for a third consecutive season.  But there’s no certainty as to which quarterback will follow in John Flacco and Tyler Donnavan’s shoes.  Alan Evridger and Dustin Sherer will be competing into the fall for the starting job.  Evridge is a fifth-year senior with the most experience, starting six games at Kansas State in 2005.  Sherer has spent three years in the program and only attempted three passes in his entire stay. 

The next starter will operated behind an experienced offensive line led by guard Kraig Urbik.  The run-first philosophy won’t change, either, as the Badgers hand the ball to tailbacks P.J. Hill, Zach Brown, Lance Smith and John Clay.  Hill has rushed for a ridiculous 29 touchdowns and 2,805 yards in two seasons.  Smith had the team’s longest runs with great speed and burst in the open field.  Clay has stirred up some offseason hype with his power and impressive high school resume.  The Badgers will get the ball to their tight ends in the passing game.  All-American Travis Beckum and Derrick Graham, who ranked 1-2 respectively non the team in receiving last season.  Wideouts Kyle Jefferson and David Gilreath figure to factor into the mix as well.

Defense:

Bielema had a ridiculous 27 players leave or miss practice because of injuries in the spring, mostly on defense.  Three starters are recovering from ACL surgery in tackles Jason Chapman and cornerbacks Allen Langford and Aaron Henry.  The Badgers look to be solid up front if Chapman, Kirk DeCremer, Mike Newkirk and Matt Shaughnessy all return to full strength following various injuries.  O’Brien Schofield, Jeff Stehle, Patrick Butrym, Louis Nzegwu and Dann Moore should add depth to this unit.

Bielema is expecting better play from middle linebackers Elijah Hodge or Culmer St. Jean and strong safeties Jay Valai or Aubrey Pleasant.  Nothing makes a team tougher than a little good competition at both of these all-important positions.  Outside linebackers Jonathan Casillas and DeAndre Levy are two senior leaders for the younger players to look up to.  The secondary will revolve around free safety Shane Carter, who led the Big Ten in interceptions with seven last year.  Also corners Lanford and Henry must return healthy.  Pushing for playing time on defense will be safety Chris Maragos, a transfer from Western Michigan, along with Mario Goins, Niles Brinkley and Otis Merrill.

Wisconsin Badgers Predictions at Info Plays:  2nd in the Big Ten

The Badgers are good enough to contend for a Big Ten title with a running game that should keep the clock moving.  As long as their passing game doesn’t put the defense on short field, the Badgers manage games well enough to compete with the best teams in this conference.  The early Big Ten schedule is unforgiving though.  Nobody has ever drawn Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State in succession to open a conference season.  But Wisconsin never lost once at home last year, and two of those three games will be at Camp Randall Stadium for back-to-back night games. 

Related Articles You May Be Interested In:

Click Here

Get up to 145% in Signup Bonuses at BetUS!

Filed Under College Football