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That’s four more than the Badgers set last year and seven more than they set the year before, which, if nothing else, shows how ambitious this senior-dominated bunch is.
Of course, the contents of Wisconsin’s to-do list are for the Badgers’ eyes only, sort of like their fall camp. But as Wisconsin, ranked 13th in the preseason poll, prepares to finally strut its stuff before a sellout crowd in its season opener against Akron today at Camp Randall Stadium, there is one goal that probably didn’t make the list but should have:
Putting 82,000 people in the seats for their final home game against Cal Poly.
Indeed, if the Badgers succeed in getting the red out for that season-ending mismatch against a team from the division formerly known as I-AA, it will mean they’ve had a very good year. But if Camp Randall ends up looking like some half-filled, Morton-era mausoleum for that Nov. 22 game, then the Badgers will have underachieved for the second consecutive year.
It’s entirely up to them how many fans show up to watch them against Cal Poly, which replaced Virginia Tech on Wisconsin’s schedule.
Let’s say the Badgers live up to the preseason predictions by battling mighty Ohio State for the Big Ten title and challenging for the school’s first BCS bid since the 1999 season. If they reach the final weekend with, say, a 10-1 record, Camp Randall will be its usual rocking self.
But what if the Badgers struggle during a seven-game midseason crucible that begins with games at Fresno State and Michigan, continues with back-to-back night games against Ohio State and Penn State at Camp Randall before finishing up with hard-to-win games at Iowa and Michigan State sandwiched around a home game against Illinois? If they face Cal Poly with, say, a 7-4 record and a bid to the Humpty Dumpty Bowl on the line, many Wisconsin fans will spend the day deer hunting, raking leaves or just sitting at home muttering, “We gave up a game with Virginia Tech for this?”
Either outcome is possible for Wisconsin, a team that is built on a solid base but possesses some potentially crippling unknowns heading into the season.
First of all, there is much to like about the Badgers.
On offense, they are talented, deep and experienced in the line and at running back and tight end. On defense, they have speed in the front seven and starting experience at most positions. Mostly, though, they have an intense hunger fostered by a large group of seniors who don’t want a repeat of last year’s disappointing 9-4 season.
Still, there are five things that must happen to give Wisconsin a chance to reprise its 12-1 season in 2006.
Allan Evridge, a fifth-year senior and a first-year starter at quarterback, must throw with a consistency that often eluded him during spring and fall workouts. The Badgers will put a heavy emphasis on the run, which means it will be Evridge’s job to manage the game and convert critical third downs. If he can do that, the offense should be fine.
The green-as-artificial turf wide receivers must develop into pass-catching threats and, just as important, capable blockers. Sophomores Kyle Jefferson, David Gilreath and Maurice Moore had only 27 catches last season — 26 by Jefferson — and none of the three weighs more than 175 pounds soaking wet. A contribution from 215-pound redshirt freshman Nick Toon would be a welcome sight.
Someone must replace Jack Ikegwuonu as the shut-down cornerback. Senior Allen Langford and sophomore Aaron Henry shared a cornerback spot last year but both are coming off knee surgeries. Langford is ahead of Henry in his rehab and must provide stability for Niles Brinkley and Mario Goins, two talented but untested youngsters.
The defense must find an answer for the spread offense. If it can stay healthy, Wisconsin’s defense has a chance to catch up to the spread, an attack that mystified the Badgers last season. The front seven has speed all over and five seniors with extensive starting experience, the safeties figure to improve their tackling with a year under their belts and new coordinator Dave Doeren should make everyone more aggressive.
The kicking game can’t let Wisconsin down. Freshman punter Brad Nortman has the leg to make people forget about Ken DeBauche, but Taylor Mehlhaff’s booming kicks will be harder to replace. If junior Matt Fischer and/or freshman Philip Welch don’t come through, it could compromise the ball-control, field-position game Wisconsin wants to play and cause it to fall short of whatever goals it has for this season.
