Wisconsin offense: better, worse or about the same? Why?

Anytime you lose the No. 2 single season rushing effort by a player one would be inclined to think the offense is going to suffer and be worse the next season. Add in three departing offensive linemen and it’s a bad recipe. 

However, a new coaching staff and the return of Paul Chryst to the Badgers has many optimistic about this offense. After watching the spring game it was easy to see why. QB Joel Stave looks more of the 2012-2013 versions of himself, there appears to be a few wide receivers ready to step up and overall the passing game has taken a huge leap forward.

As for replacing Melvin Gordon, there’s plenty to love about junior Corey Clement and his ability to rush for easily over 1,000 yards. The biggest question going in to the spring was what was behind Clement, and redshirt freshman Taiwan Deal and converted cornerback Dare Ogunbowale certainly look like players that will be just fine behind him after successful and competitive spring ball.

The offensive line isn’t as veteran as it was last season, but if healthy this is a group that will dominate per usual Wisconsin Badgers fashion. 

It all adds up to an offense that will be more well-rounded and therefore better than the 2014 version. 

 

Wisconsin defense: better worse or about the same? Why?

Once again the Badgers have to replace four of the starting front seven from last season. However, this time the biggest questions came in the linebacker group, with both inside linebackers moving on. 

Junior Leon Jacobs didn’t disappoint as the presumed starter at one spot, while perhaps the most talked about performance of the spring belonged to redshirt freshman T.J. Edwards. 

Also, the spring saw a renewed effort from junior cornerback Sojourn Shelton, making the already strong secondary something to really watch come this fall. 

Overall the defense looked a lot different than it did even a season ago in the spring. It’s a group that’s set up to be much more attacking and much more speed-orientated than in the past. Creating turnovers all spring long and knowing the depth and potential is there on the defensive line was very helpful. 

So, while I hesitate to say this group is better than the 2014 defense (which statistically was one of the top 3 in the country), I’ll say it looks better after this spring than it did a season ago. 

 

You buying or selling this team in 2015? (How many games they winning this year?)

I’m buying this team as a Big Ten West contender, however there is no way I’m buying them as a potential Top 10 team just yet. There’s potential, especially if the defense we saw in the spring is the same one we see in the fall. But, unless the Badgers get over Alabama to start the season they’ll likely be a 10 or 11-game winner that will be on the outside looking in on the New Years Six bowl games once again. 

Wisconsin has the potential on both sides of the ball to be something very special in Paul Chryst’s first season, but I’m going to take a wait-and-see approach to this season in general. There’s just too many things that have to go exactly right for UW to be a true national contender, and that’s the next step for Wisconsin. 

---

Andy Coppens, publisher of Talking10.com and managing editor of MadTown Badgers provided the information for our Wisconsin Football 2015 Spring recap.  For more Badger  football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Andy on Twitter @MTBadgers & @AndyonFootball. 

---