With the Badgers returning almost everyone from last year’s dominant offense, all of the unanswered questions this spring surround replacing key players on defense.
Due to their cakewalk of a schedule last year, Wisconsin missed a shot at the four-team playoff despite only one loss in the Big Ten title game.
With road games at Michigan and Penn State this coming season, their strength of schedule will presumably garner more respect from the playoff committee. The question is whether or not they can duplicate last season’s success, especially as they replace seven starters on defense.
After a 1,977-yard rushing performance as a true freshman, running back Jonathan Taylor will be back to lead the offense along with a two-year starter at quarterback in Alex Hornibrook. All five starters on the offensive line paved the way for Taylor and allowed only 21 sacks return as well. The only real area of uncertainty for the Badger offense heading into Saturday’s spring game is the tight end position that Troy Fumagalli leaves open as he heads to NFL.
Defense is a different story. Second-year coordinator Jim Leonhard will be replacing almost an entire secondary as well as four key players from last year’s front seven. Senior linebackers Ryan Connelly and T.J. Edwards will anchor the middle of Wisconsin’s defense and safety, D’Cota Dixon (who is out for the spring), will do the same for the defensive backfield. All three will be counted on to make plays themselves while also leading and helping with the development of several young and inexperienced players surrounding them.
The offense gives Wisconsin fans plenty of reason to be excited about the fall. The defense should give them plenty of reason to be intrigued by the spring.
Wisconsin kicks off their spring game on Friday, April 13 at 7:00 PM (EST).