Big 10 Preview: Wisconsin Badgers
August 17th, 2008 by Louis Papa
I like Coach Bret Bielema as much as the next guy, however I continue to misunderstand the hype around what he has (or in my opinion has not done) with this program in the post Barry Alvarez era. Lack of ability to recruit “ANY” kind of talent at the QB position in the Big 10 is glaring. I would be shocked if Wisconsin finishes the year as highly ranked as they are now, but then again, no one is paying me for my prognostication skills. The Badgers need to improve on both sides of the football to replicate last year’s 9-4 (Outback loss to Tennessee) season. They backed into 2nd place in the Big 10 following Penn State and Michigan giving away late season games.
Wide receiver offers nothing to speak of from a fantasy point of view. The Badgers top 2 returning pass catchers from 2007 were tight ends. Of course, that leads us to a TE conversation worth having as Travis Beckum had 75 catches, 982 yards and 6 touchdowns. He was a John Mackey Award finalist in 2007 and should be in a good position to make another run at it. Garrett Graham caught 30 balls for 328 yards and 4 scores.
Based on the assessment of the WRs, don’t even think about drafting a Badgers QB. Tyler Donovan, who epitomized mediocrity (under 60% completion rate and 17 TDs to 11 interceptions is all you need to know) is gone and senior Allen Evridge lost last year’s battle to Donovan.
Running back has always been a staple at Wisconsin, dating back to the days when Ron Dayne arrived on campus. The Badgers will be lead by the oft-injured but highly successful P.J. Hill. I love Hill at the goal line, but he is also a force between the tackles. In 2007, he carried 233 times for 1,212 yards with a 5.2 ypc average, accounting for 14 touchdowns. He is a must own in all fantasy leagues, especially when considering the oft-troubled Lance Smith has been dismissed from the team. Red-shirt freshman, John Clay should also see time behind Hill and could emerge as the heir apparent at some point.
On special teams, we find another area that is not so special for the Badgers. Last years kicker, Taylor Mehlhaff (20/24 Field goals and 40/41 in extra points) has graduated and will be replaced by Phillip Welch.
2008 should signal another trip to a January 1st bowl game for the Badgers, but its hard to imagine them finishing any better than 2nd (most likely 3rd) in the conference due to average quarterback play and a defense that ranked in the bottom half of the NCAA in several categories.
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