- A blowout. We don't need to embarass the Zips, but harkening back to the best Badger teams in recent memory ('98 and '99, the loss to Cincinnati notwithstanding), the season will start with promise if we demolish Akron. The days of playing down to our opposition need to end.
- Sound defense. We should run all over Akron on offense. With the injuries we've had on the defensive line and to our corners, not to mention missing Casillas, are we still able to stop Akron cold? Cuz we should be able to.
- Protection. Our offensive line hasn't been as good as it could have been for a few years now. With three returning seniors and four returning starters, now is the time to put up or shut up.
- Interceptions? Can Evridge manage the game and limit his mistakes?
- John Clay. I want to see what he's about. He should get most of his carries in garbage time (which should start midway through the 3rd quarter), but I want to see what the buzz is about. I've heard doubts from people who know about those 5 stars he carried with him. So let's see.
Preview: Akron
Seriously, the Badgers are better than Akron at every position except maybe corner and kicker. I'm not going to bother with a breakdown, Wisconsin should win this game easily. So, what to look for in the openor?
Virginia Tech, Cal Poly, and the Real World
Michael Hunt, of the Journal Sentinel, joined the chorus of boos over the Cal Poly game as senior day, and the absence of Virginia Tech from the Badgers' 2008 schedule (here).
I like Hunt's sports-guy-ish take on all things Wisconsin sports, but on this one he's wrong. Sure, it's going to be tough to get too excited about going to the game against Cal Poly in late November. Sure, it would be nice to watch a game against a national power in VaTech. Nonetheless, Bielema and Alvarez did the right thing in asking VaTech to reschedule.
Because of the way the Big Ten schedules its conference games, the athletic department didn't know at the time it scheduled VaTech for September 20, 2008, that the conference schedule would start at Michigan, then Ohio State, Penn State, at Iowa, Illinois, then at Michigan State, without any breaks. In years past, you would figure that's the toughest four teams in the Big Ten (Badgers notwithstanding) in consecutive weeks. Today it's the five toughest in six weeks, with nemesis Iowa as the "off" week.
If you like watching Wisconsin play for a shot at the Big Ten title, or a shot at a BCS or the Capital One bowl, you like Bielema and Alvarez's decision to put off VaTech. If VaTech were September 13, instead of Fresno State, that would be fine. If VaTech were coming in 2009 on Sept 19 (currently an open date), followed by Michigan State, then at Minnesota, again, fine. But even Ohio State wouldn't want our schedule with VaTech added on September 20.
It's nice to have high profile games against nationally recognizable teams. We'd all like to see more of them, but not at the expense of reason. With the Big Ten doing what it did to the Badgers on scheduling, VaTech needed to go.
In the mean time, we can look forward to a big game at Fresno State (no slouch), and future dates with Pac-10 powers Arizona State and Oregon State (quietly the 3rd best team in the Pac-10 this decade), yes, Virginia Tech, and maybe (hopefully?) even Notre Dame (see here).
I like Hunt's sports-guy-ish take on all things Wisconsin sports, but on this one he's wrong. Sure, it's going to be tough to get too excited about going to the game against Cal Poly in late November. Sure, it would be nice to watch a game against a national power in VaTech. Nonetheless, Bielema and Alvarez did the right thing in asking VaTech to reschedule.
Because of the way the Big Ten schedules its conference games, the athletic department didn't know at the time it scheduled VaTech for September 20, 2008, that the conference schedule would start at Michigan, then Ohio State, Penn State, at Iowa, Illinois, then at Michigan State, without any breaks. In years past, you would figure that's the toughest four teams in the Big Ten (Badgers notwithstanding) in consecutive weeks. Today it's the five toughest in six weeks, with nemesis Iowa as the "off" week.
If you like watching Wisconsin play for a shot at the Big Ten title, or a shot at a BCS or the Capital One bowl, you like Bielema and Alvarez's decision to put off VaTech. If VaTech were September 13, instead of Fresno State, that would be fine. If VaTech were coming in 2009 on Sept 19 (currently an open date), followed by Michigan State, then at Minnesota, again, fine. But even Ohio State wouldn't want our schedule with VaTech added on September 20.
It's nice to have high profile games against nationally recognizable teams. We'd all like to see more of them, but not at the expense of reason. With the Big Ten doing what it did to the Badgers on scheduling, VaTech needed to go.
In the mean time, we can look forward to a big game at Fresno State (no slouch), and future dates with Pac-10 powers Arizona State and Oregon State (quietly the 3rd best team in the Pac-10 this decade), yes, Virginia Tech, and maybe (hopefully?) even Notre Dame (see here).
Preseason Hype . . . I mean Polls
Though I don't think they are quite useless, I'm not a huge proponent of preseason rankings. Last year the Badgers started the year overrated. This year the national media seems a bit more reserved about the Cardinal and White, but frankly, not by much.
AP has us at #13, USA Today/Coaches have us at #12, Steele has us at #13, Athlon at #12, CFN at #10, ESPN at #12, Sports Illustrated/Stewart Mandel at #12. That's pretty consistent, if nothing else. Only Ohio State is ranked above us in the Big Ten, with Penn State and Illinois generally next (not necessarily in that order).
The rankings are really more about national title shots than anything else, with BCS bowl implications being a distant second. While it's nice to have a high preseason ranking (as we do), playing it out on the field is what will determine our success, including our bowl picture. The BigTen Network has a decent discussion of our schedule:
The keys on the BCS side of things are Fresno State, and the gauntlet of Big Ten teams we start the conference schedule with. If we can go 2-1 to start conference play, we have a legit shot at sharing a Big Ten title, if not better. On the other hand, 1-2 or worse could mean another second rate bowl. Time to get playing . . .
AP has us at #13, USA Today/Coaches have us at #12, Steele has us at #13, Athlon at #12, CFN at #10, ESPN at #12, Sports Illustrated/Stewart Mandel at #12. That's pretty consistent, if nothing else. Only Ohio State is ranked above us in the Big Ten, with Penn State and Illinois generally next (not necessarily in that order).
The rankings are really more about national title shots than anything else, with BCS bowl implications being a distant second. While it's nice to have a high preseason ranking (as we do), playing it out on the field is what will determine our success, including our bowl picture. The BigTen Network has a decent discussion of our schedule:
The keys on the BCS side of things are Fresno State, and the gauntlet of Big Ten teams we start the conference schedule with. If we can go 2-1 to start conference play, we have a legit shot at sharing a Big Ten title, if not better. On the other hand, 1-2 or worse could mean another second rate bowl. Time to get playing . . .
God Bless America: BTN on Wisconsin Cable
Finally, Time Warner and the BTN reach a deal. With a few days to spare.
For my part, I'm on Comcast (also a recent deal). My house is strange, I admit, but just yesterday we had our cable installed four our annual four months of college football. We'll cancel it after the national title game in January.
Let the games (on the Big Ten Network) begin!
The Boss on the Badgers
Unless you're one of those folks who just loves practice videos, I'm not sure you'll get much out of the Camp plays of the week UW is putting out, except maybe one thing . . .
this is Week 2's and what's the soundtrack? Bruce Springsteen . . . Born to Run.
Indeed.
this is Week 2's and what's the soundtrack? Bruce Springsteen . . . Born to Run.
Indeed.
Akron Prep: Depth Chart
Coach Bielema released the depth chart for the Akron openor here. At the "skill" positions, Evridge is the starting quarterback, with Sherer holding onto the #2 spot (no real surprise, Tolzein hasnt unseated Sherer for #2, yet). PJ Hill is the starting running back and Zach Brown is still his number 2. Based on Bielema's press conference yesterday (here), Clay will get some carries (I look forward to the goal line package with this group), but for you recruitniks, he's still behind that 3-star, Brown, he came in with.
Gilreath is starting at one WR spot and one surprise is Maurice Moore and Kyle Jefferson listed as co-starters (with an "or") at the other spot. Nick Toon, Al's son, is #2 behind Gilreath, meaning he's made up some ground lost to injury last year.
No suprise on the defensive side of things, except the minor one that Jonathan Casillas is listed as starting for Akron. Don't know if that means his knee is coming along quickly, or if Bielema is just being optimistic. Of the positions up for grabs, as indicated earlier, Jaevery McFadden is the middle linebacker, with Culmer St. Jean listed behind him. Hodge relegated to special teams. On the corners, Mario Goins has grabbed one spot, and Allan Langford and Niles Brinkley are sharing the other (with the "or" designation). Hopefully that means Brinkley's really pushed Langford (sounds like Langford's ACL recovered well). Finally, Jay Valai is the starting strong safety, cementing his move ahead of Aubrey Pleasant.
Bielema is still holding off on naming a kicker. Fischer is currently leading in the kickoff and short field goal duties, Welch is the leader for longer field goals.
Gilreath is starting at one WR spot and one surprise is Maurice Moore and Kyle Jefferson listed as co-starters (with an "or") at the other spot. Nick Toon, Al's son, is #2 behind Gilreath, meaning he's made up some ground lost to injury last year.
No suprise on the defensive side of things, except the minor one that Jonathan Casillas is listed as starting for Akron. Don't know if that means his knee is coming along quickly, or if Bielema is just being optimistic. Of the positions up for grabs, as indicated earlier, Jaevery McFadden is the middle linebacker, with Culmer St. Jean listed behind him. Hodge relegated to special teams. On the corners, Mario Goins has grabbed one spot, and Allan Langford and Niles Brinkley are sharing the other (with the "or" designation). Hopefully that means Brinkley's really pushed Langford (sounds like Langford's ACL recovered well). Finally, Jay Valai is the starting strong safety, cementing his move ahead of Aubrey Pleasant.
Bielema is still holding off on naming a kicker. Fischer is currently leading in the kickoff and short field goal duties, Welch is the leader for longer field goals.
Hard Nosed: Badger Captains
The 2008 Badger captains are Fullback Chris Pressley, Right Guard Kraig Urbik, Defensive Tackle Mike Newkirk, and Strong Side Linebacker DeAndre Levy.
Two interior lineman, one from either side of the ball, a 259 pound road-grading fullback, and a the hardest hitter on the defense who is often described as "mad" or "crazy." That's who this team picked to represent them.
Hard nosed. Your 2008 Badgers.
Makes you want to go out and hit someone:
Two interior lineman, one from either side of the ball, a 259 pound road-grading fullback, and a the hardest hitter on the defense who is often described as "mad" or "crazy." That's who this team picked to represent them.
Hard nosed. Your 2008 Badgers.
Makes you want to go out and hit someone:
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