2023 Wisconsin Season Thread

[GopherRock]

Getting back to the topic, honest question for

Has Fickell fixed his OL? 

Those that are pimping the weasels as their preseason darlings clearly didn't watch much of the end of last season. The line that the Badgers brought into their last two Axe games made the Bad News Bears look like seasoned professionals. Even if Braelon Allen was healthy, he didn't have anywhere to go. All of the skill positions don't mean much if the OL can't control the line of scrimmage. 

I know this era of CFB is a different one, but OL rebuilds take two full seasons and it was clear that the one in Madison needed to be gutted and rebuilt. 

[847badgerfan]

The OL has been a problem since 2020. Joe Rudolph was not getting it done, so he was moved along to VT in favor of Bob Bostad last season. Rudy is now at ND and Bo is at Indiana.

The new OL coach, Jack Bicknell, seems to think he goes 10+ deep now.

[bayareabadger]

I'd tend to agree.

They also have a politics board there. Don't dare show any signs of being conservative.

I’ve never clicked on that and it has been a good choice.

[bayareabadger]

Getting back to the topic, honest question for

Has Fickell fixed his OL?

Those that are pimping the weasels as their preseason darlings clearly didn't watch much of the end of last season. The line that the Badgers brought into their last two Axe games made the Bad News Bears look like seasoned professionals. Even if Braelon Allen was healthy, he didn't have anywhere to go. All of the skill positions don't mean much if the OL can't control the line of scrimmage.

I know this era of CFB is a different one, but OL rebuilds take two full seasons and it was clear that the one in Madison needed to be gutted and rebuilt.

Two things:
1. i’ve been around a lot of college football. The grading curve is usually hard on offensive lines and You literally just don’t know until the season kicks off
2. The only upside is that there is raw talent, and sometimes the right new coach can activate that.

[847badgerfan]

Two things:
1. i’ve been around a lot of college football. The grading curve is usually hard on offensive lines and You literally just don’t know until the season kicks off
2. The only upside is that there is raw talent, and sometimes the right new coach can activate that.

Another upside is they won't have to try and block 8-9 guys on every play this year.

Looks like the starting center is out again, and it might be a long time and maybe the season. That is my biggest concern.

[847badgerfan]

My projected opening game depth for the OL:

1

LT Jack Nelson 5*
LG Joe Huber 3* (in for Bortolini)
C Tanner Bortolini 3* (in for Renfro)
RG Joe Brunner 4*
RT Riley Mahlman 4*

2

LT Nolan Rucci 5*
LG JP Benzschawel 4*
C Joe Brunner 4*
RG Michael Furtney 3*
RT Trey Wedig 4*


My concern is really at center. Bort really hasn't looked great in the shotgun, and nobody passed him. They could really use Joe Tippman, but he was wise to leave early and get drafted 43rd.

[bayareabadger]

Another upside is they won't have to try and block 8-9 guys on every play this year.

Looks like the starting center is out again, and it might be a long time and maybe the season. That is my biggest concern.

I’ll be interested in that. The nature of those numbers are usually over stated. But the spacing elements will be different. 

Also Longo being a big box numbers guy, for good or ill.

[847badgerfan]

Another thing. When have we ever seen this much depth at the WR position in Madison?

Never?

They had some good WR returning, and the staff brought in an amazing group of transfers.

They are 9-deep now. Unreal.

[FearlessF]

you know that takes away from the OL and RB depth

[847badgerfan]

OL is fully 2-deep and RB is 4-deep.

TE is rather thin (due to injury somewhat), but I'm not sure how much TE is gonna play a part in the offense.

[FearlessF]

no fullback and not much from the TE???

air raid!!!!

[847badgerfan]

They moved one of the fullbacks to TE and he's transitioned well. #2 on the depth, if healthy.

TE #1 has looked really good.

[847badgerfan]

[847badgerfan]

247 Badger producer posted this. Pretty damning for Paul Chryst.

Evan Flood on X: "🤷‍♂️ https://t.co/Y4QYJuY3aW" / X (twitter.com)
Evan Flood on X: "🤷‍♂️ https://t.co/Y4QYJuY3aW" / X (twitter.com)