CFB51 College Football Fan Community
The Power Five => Big Ten => Topic started by: 847badgerfan on January 04, 2024, 02:45:03 PM
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May as well get it started. 2023 is over.
There is a new WR coach coming but has not been officially announced by UW yet. From what others say, it's Kenny Guiton.
Kenny Guiton | Arkansas Razorbacks (https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/coache/kenny-guiton/)
There was some thought that the OL coach might be out too. No official word and not many rumblings.
Lots of transfer activity. The LB room is being re-made.
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Like this new linebacker from Arkansas
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Love this hire, for many reasons.
(https://i.imgur.com/FHbnAvc.png)
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Gonna run air raid
Gotta coach the kids to catch instead of block
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Or least learn how to trip
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This hurts really really bad. By far the best recruiter on the team. F you, Bama.
(https://i.imgur.com/5Y7JFCs.png)
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This could be a great hire for Fickell. Lots of experience in the B1G and former Iowa OL player.
Wisconsin Athletic Communications Department
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin football officially announced the hiring of new offensive line coach AJ Blazek (https://247sports.com/Coach/aj-blazek-3725) on Wednesday afternoon. Blazek, who spent the past three seasons in the same role at Vanderbilt, returns to the Big Ten having played at Iowa from 1999 to 2000 and coached at Rutgers from 2016 to 2018.
“We’re thankful to have AJ joining our staff,” said head coach Luke Fickell (https://247sports.com/Coach/luke-fickell-88). “He has a track record of success across college football. AJ brings a familiarity of playing in the Big Ten, as well as recruiting experience in traditional Big Ten areas, to our program.”
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This guy might make some sense for UW safeties coach. Why did OSU let him go?
What say @Honestbuckeye (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=37) @medinabuckeye1 (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1547) @MrNubbz (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=17) ?
Perry Eliano - Safeties Coach - Football Coaches - Ohio State (ohiostatebuckeyes.com) (https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/perry-eliano/967)
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He was a reasonable on the field coach. His issue was that he missed on too many recruits.
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Thanks @Abba (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=65) .
Who did he miss on, and where did they land?
Wisconsin needs to replace an ace recruiter.
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I don't follow recruiting that closely anymore, but it seems the big ones that are brought up are KJ Bolden and Caleb Downs. Hard to pull kids from the south though. He did bring in a few 4-star guys. Just wasn't on the same page w/ the recruiting strategy I guess, which is a bit vague. In the end, his 2-year contract ended and they chose not to renew.
Of all of the firings so far for the Buckeyes, this was the biggest surprise. He wasn't really on my radar as an underperformer.
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This guy might make some sense for UW safeties coach. Why did OSU let him go?
What say @Honestbuckeye (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=37) @medinabuckeye1 (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1547) @MrNubbz (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=17) ?
Not really sure as I've not followed that real close with NIL, the Portal and games and cheating going on. But I've read/agree what ABBA stated
"The Safety play was good this year, but the recruiting simply hasn't been. You can only miss so many times before you run into a big time issue like we did with the CB room last year." or "Still missing on his top targets" or "Eliano did a solid job leading the on-field product in the secondary over the last two years, but there were recruiting misses and it felt at times like there was a little bit of a disconnect with the defensive staff overall. Either way, the decision has been made and the Buckeyes officially have the first open spot to fill on the staff."
those type of posts on homer boards
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Not sure what to think of this. Not a bad safeties coach. Definitely not a good DC.
(https://i.imgur.com/JPMn66k.png)
Has some recruiting chops at least.
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Not sure what to think of this. Not a bad safeties coach. Definitely not a good DC.
(https://i.imgur.com/JPMn66k.png)
Has some recruiting chops at least.
Wild that he was once a real up and comer.
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As a position coach I guess it's fine
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(https://i.imgur.com/yhy9mIp.png)
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need to do better
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Sandbaggers.
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This is too weird. People are saying Michigan hired Greg Scruggs, but no official announcement has been made.
And then there is this:
Greg Scruggs | Football Coach | Wisconsin Badgers (uwbadgers.com) (https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/greg-scruggs/2140)
And this:
Greg Scruggs (@G_Scruggs) / X (twitter.com) (https://twitter.com/G_Scruggs)
That these pages exist is enough to tell me that this is not a done deal.
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He's our spy in the Badger's hole.
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Well, that's good if you want to go 7-6 next year.
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MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin football officially announced the hiring of defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow (https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/e-j-whitlow/2368) on Monday morning. Whitlow joins the Badgers' staff after two seasons in the same position at Air Force and 14 seasons as a collegiate coach.
"I'm excited to have E.J. join our staff," said head coach Luke Fickell (https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/luke-fickell/2130). "E.J. is a fantastic coach and person, and he has Midwest ties that will help our recruiting and player development efforts."
Last season, Whitlow helped manage a defense that ranked No. 7 nationally in rushing defense (90.9) and No. 20 in passing defense (186.8). The Air Force defense totaled 30 sacks for just the second time since 2017. By the end of Whitlow's tenure, the Falcons' defense had allowed 21 points or fewer in 15 of the last 20 games.
In 2022, his first season leading the defensive line at Air Force, Whitlow helped the Falcons become the No. 1 defense in the country (254.5 yards per game). Whitlow's defensive line helped hold opponents to 95.3 rushing yards per game, the sixth-fewest in college football.
"I'm fired up to be joining Coach Fickell's staff at Wisconsin," said Whitlow. "It's a fantastic opportunity to work with a great staff and at a program with plenty of tradition."
Prior to his two-year stint at Air Force, Whitlow spent four years at Miami University (Ohio) from 2018-21. He developed several All-MAC performers and helped the RedHawks claim the MAC Championship in 2019. In the conference championship season, Miami recorded 38 sacks, 28 of those coming from the defensive line.
At Miami, Whitlow helped develop Dominique Robinson, a fifth-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2022, and Doug Costin, a first team All-MAC performer who joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019. He also coached Ivan Pace Jr., an eventual Cincinnati Bearcat and Minnesota Viking. Pace tallied six sacks in a game in 2019 as a freshman at Miami. Lonnie Phelps, who earned a roster spot with the Browns in 2023, also played under Whitlow at Miami before finishing his college career at Kansas.
From 2014-17, Whitlow coached the defensive line at Grand Valley State under then-head coach Matt Mitchell (https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/matt-mitchell/2141), who now coaches the Badgers' outside linebackers. Under Whitlow, GVSU's defensive line turned into one of the top defensive lines in the country annually. He tutored nine All-GLIAC honorees in four years, watching the Lakers record 144 sacks in that span.
In 2017, Whitlow's defensive line had three players earn all-conference honors, including a pair of first team award winners. As a team, the Lakers allowed just 13.0 points per game, and due to the pass rush, gave up just four touchdown passes all season.
In 2016, the Lakers limited opponents to 134.3 rushing yards per game, recording 40 quarterback sacks and 96 tackles for loss. In 2015, Whitlow coached Matt Judon (New England Patriot), who went on to win the Gene Upshaw Award, given to the nation's top interior lineman. With Judon's help, GVSU would lead the nation in sacks with 49.
"Coach Mitchell was a great person and coach to work with at Grand Valley State," said Whitlow. "I'm excited to join a staff with plenty of recruiting, coaching and player development experience."
Prior to joining Grand Valley State, Whitlow spent four years at Notre Dame College (Ohio) and was a part of the program from its beginning as the Falcons initial season playing football was in 2010. Whitlow was a graduate assistant in 2010 and 2011 but became the full-time defensive line coach in 2012.
Whitlow played collegiately at Findlay from 2006-10, where he was twice an All-GLIAC performer as a defensive tackle and was named the Oilers' 2009 Team MVP. He recorded 44 total tackles and 5.0 tackles for loss en route to earning All-GLIAC honors as a junior, followed by senior season in which he tallied career-highs in total tackles (60) and tackles for loss with six and was named First Team All-GLIAC and team MVP.
Whitlow and his wife, Kierre, are the parents of Emily and Emmanuel II.
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I like this hire. I liked Scruggs too, on the recruiting trail, even though he lost a couple of top targets to Michigan and Washington. He hit on four really nice ones - all 4 STARZ.
He didn't have much to work with last season in Madison and the DL was the weak link for the defense. He'll have a ton to work with in Ann Arbor next season.
This new hire for UW is proven as a developer of talent, which is what UW is all about. It's a good fit.
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(https://i.imgur.com/gP7wIzn.jpeg)
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Direct shot at Miami. I like it.
(https://i.imgur.com/mhKb9ip.png)
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(https://i.imgur.com/gP7wIzn.jpeg)
If only I still lived there
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If only I still lived there
You mention that a lot. What's keeping you from going back?
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You mention that a lot. What's keeping you from going back?
I mean, that was more "it would be convenient" not necessarily longing for the place. But I'll share.
There's a few reasons. First is probably that its expensive. I like being able to save more money and I've never dealt with those prices, and thus the shock of that feels like a barrier of sorts. For a while, jobs dictated my geography, though that ended a few years ago. I could transfer and just make less relatively.
I have a smattering of friends back home, but the group is small (we're over 15 years not living there). I have folks in this part of the country. So that's sort of a push. Especially with some good friends getting busier with kids and such.
I suppose some health things with family could pull me back. But up to this point, nothing has strongly pulled me back, and its easier to not move across the country than to do it.
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QB Nick Evers to the portal. Came to UW from OU last year and just can't learn the offense. Wants to play QB and it's not happening in Madison. Was a 4* recruit by OU. Does not live up to that so far.
LB/DE/? TJ Bollers to the portal. Another 4* recruit by Wisconsin, he could just not find a position as a tweener. If he goes somewhere that runs a 4-3, he could see the field. He was not going to see much if he stayed in Madison.
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WR Tommy McIntosh to the portal. Couldn't crack the depth. He's 6-5 with great speed. Oh well.
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Busy week for outgoing.
(https://i.imgur.com/UJFL70l.png)
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LB/DE/? TJ Bollers to the portal. Another 4* recruit by Wisconsin, he could just not find a position as a tweener. If he goes somewhere that runs a 4-3, he could see the field. He was not going to see much if he stayed in Madison.
That's kinda interesting b/c he was considered a much better fit for a 3-4 than 4-3 coming out of HS. I haven't followed his career to see if/how he grew.
As an aside, he ruled out Iowa fairly early b/c his dad hated Brian. Can’t say I blame him, ha!
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That's kinda interesting b/c he was considered a much better fit for a 3-4 than 4-3 coming out of HS. I haven't followed his career to see if/how he grew.
As an aside, he ruled out Iowa fairly early b/c his dad hated Brian. Can’t say I blame him, ha!
Committed to Cal yesterday.
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nice campus
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He should sign up for a frequent flyer program. Lots of trips to the East Coast ahead of him.
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hopefully he gets peanuts
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I don't get this one at all. He's in the depth and the two starters are likely after this season.
(https://i.imgur.com/XrOTRu9.png)
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pay the man
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Shirley
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pay the man
Someone might, but I doubt it would be much, if anything at all.
He was around 5th on the depth in Madison. Probably should have just stayed at the Air Force Acadamy.
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waiting behind 2 starters is tuff when you obviously have NFL talent
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The DB's are as strong as they've been in at least 20 years, if not the strongest.
I feel that now they can compete with the speed teams, finally.
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The DB's are as strong as they've been in at least 20 years, if not the strongest.
I feel that now they can compete with the speed teams, finally.
Hope they play like that. Last year was soft.
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Front 7 got no pressure. I think that's fixed a little better than it was last season.
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Big Ten Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2024
Wisconsin
“The focus here is on offense. It was a hard sell for a program like this to embrace a system like Phil’s [offensive coordinator Phil Longo], and it ended up being a mismatch because of personnel. Are they going to make any big changes? I think there’s extra pressure here in Year 2 because they didn’t score points last season, and they got away from an identity that worked so well in this league."
"Defensively, we expect them to be much improved. I’d say they’re on a timeline similar to what Luke [Fickell] did at Cincinnati. That’s not the side of the ball to worry about here."
"They need to put up points to get everyone on board with their new identity — it’s that simple.”
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This does not make me happy.
(https://i.imgur.com/azYbsfG.png)
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You wanted the axe in prime time?
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No. I want it on Saturday. I don't care what time. Friday games suck.
And now they just added another one. The home opener is now Friday on FS1.
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Friday games don't bother me much but I no longer have season tickets or attend most games.
Friday night on TV is fine with me
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I remember back in 2020, the original schedule called for Iowa and Wisc to play on Thanksgiving Saturday. At that time, there was speculation maybe they would set up a Black Friday double header every year involving some kind of rotation with Iowa, Wisc, Neb, and Minn. But I remember Wisc pushing back on that idea.
In the end, the original 2020 schedule got scrapped and Iowa-Neb ended up being the black Friday game after all, although Thanksgiving week was not the last game of the regular season that year so Iowa-Wisc was still the last game of 2020, sort of.
Flash forward to 2024, I guess Wisc is now OK with playing on Black Friday, at least for 1 year anyway. Not sure how much say Wisc had with the new TV contract.
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On a personal level, there’s something I like about the Friday games. Might be good for my mood regulation as well.
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I remember back in 2020, the original schedule called for Iowa and Wisc to play on Thanksgiving Saturday. At that time, there was speculation maybe they would set up a Black Friday double header every year involving some kind of rotation with Iowa, Wisc, Neb, and Minn. But I remember Wisc pushing back on that idea.
In the end, the original 2020 schedule got scrapped and Iowa-Neb ended up being the black Friday game after all, although Thanksgiving week was not the last game of the regular season that year so Iowa-Wisc was still the last game of 2020, sort of.
Flash forward to 2024, I guess Wisc is now OK with playing on Black Friday, at least for 1 year anyway. Not sure how much say Wisc had with the new TV contract.
Zero.
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yup, when the Huskers joined the conference, Kirk pushed back on the Friday game
the networks decide when you play
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Big Weekend in Madison so far with the OV's. 2 already popped.
But does HS recruiting even matter anymore?
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yes, some kids still stay 4-5 years and get a degree
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Get developed at Wisconsin.
Get snapped up by Ohio State with NIL.
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there's still a few 4th and 5th year kids on the roster
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There are. Not many are good. The talent infusion is really going to help in the next year or two.
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Florida CB.
Rukeem Stroud Recruit Interests (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/recruitment/rukeem-stroud-163590/recruitinterests/)
Arizona IOL.
Logan Powell Recruit Interests (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/recruitment/logan-powell-156393/recruitinterests/)
More to come.
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always gonna be fewer after a coaching change
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Big Weekend in Madison so far with the OV's. 2 already popped.
But does HS recruiting even matter anymore?
Yes.
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Yes.
Do you think it matters as much as it did 5 years ago?
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nope
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Big win last night on the trail for ILB Mason Posa. Finalists were UW, Oregon and aTm, but he actually committed to UW on his visit (6/2) and waited to announce until last night.
Mason Posa, La Cueva, Linebacker (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/Player/mason-posa-46143816/)
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Another one. Very good WR from Indiana.
Eugene Hilton Jr. Recruit Interests (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/recruitment/eugene-hilton-jr-156563/recruitinterests/)
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Forgot to mention that this is the son of TY Hilton.
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Wisconsin football beats Georgia, Michigan for TY Hilton’s son (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/wisconsin-football-beats-georgia-michigan-for-ty-hilton-s-son/ar-BB1ohMzk?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=38135e5981d84f53b719c57e75cdd767&ei=20)
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BREAKING: Three-Star DL Wilnerson Telemaque Commits to Wisconsin (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/college/wisconsin/article/wisconsin-badgers-football-recruiting-lands-wilnerson-telemaque-monsignor-pace-defensive-end-2025-recruiting-class-232988723/)
Wilnerson Telemaque, Monsignor Pace, Defensive Line (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/Player/wilnerson-telemaque-46132092/)
Give me more Florida.
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Two classes in a row that Wisconsin got a kid out of Florida that FSU wanted.
BREAKING: Wisconsin Steals a Commitment From Three-Star Edge Rusher Nicolas Clayton (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/college/wisconsin/article/wisconsin-badgers-football-recruiting-lands-nicholas-clayton-edge-rusher-bucholz-233117917/)
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Got a commit from the #1 ranked kicker (also #8 kicker) yesterday.
Erik Schmidt, Marquette University, Kicker (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/Player/erik-schmidt-46141800/)
https://media1.giphy.com/media/gn7dwW0m29LMNCySuy/200.gif (https://media1.giphy.com/media/gn7dwW0m29LMNCySuy/200.gif)
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so, a transfer?
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HS
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This is the start of a new trend in Madison. Beating blue bloods has never really been much of a thing.
Hardy Watts, Dexter School, Offensive Line (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/Player/hardy-watts-46141791/)
Physical four-star OL Hardy Watts commits to Wisconsin (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/college/wisconsin/article/physical-four-star-ol-hardy-watts-commits-to-wisconsin-233416198/)
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(https://i.imgur.com/NWqyq9z.png)
I'm pretty bullish on this year's team, but that is not an easy schedule.
It's good they catch Bama early, in Madison. I don't know what to expect out of them, but Kalen Deboer is a really good coach. He's proven that, and now has even better talent than he did in Seattle. How does it translate? How important was Penix to his offense?
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There is so much new skill talent that I’m just kind of playing wait-and-see with them. Push to shove, the line has to be better unless the QB plays conceptional, which I don’t think will happen.
I’m still interested in this defense and if they can clean up enough small things to put themselves in
Good position.
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It sounds like the staff is much more cohesive this year than it was last season. Namely the OL coach. If he can coach like he recruits, the OL will be a strength.
The defense has a chance to be elite. The DB room has more talent than it has in a long time. LB's are really solid and fast. DL is a question mark, but will they ever play more than two at a time?
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It sounds like the staff is much more cohesive this year than it was last season. Namely the OL coach. If he can coach like he recruits, the OL will be a strength.
The defense has a chance to be elite. The DB room has more talent than it has in a long time. LB's are really solid and fast. DL is a question mark, but will they ever play more than two at a time?
I need to double check, but I’m interested how they replace the Turner kid. He’s kinda a plugger and at least one insider said the staff was not too bothered. He seemed a bit of a plugger, but you can use those guys at times.
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Turner was useful but I gleaned that he was told to look at opportunities. He found it at MSU. Maybe just not a fit in Madison anymore.
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Looking at the running backs, man that is crowded room. They took 3 in the 2024 class alone.
1. Chez Melusi - if he can stay healthy
2. Tawee Walker - transfer from OU
3. Jackson Acker/Cade Yacamelli/Nate White
Plus the three newbies.
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Looking at the running backs, man that is crowded room. They took 3 in the 2024 class alone.
1. Chez Melusi - if he can stay healthy
2. Tawee Walker - transfer from OU
3. Jackson Acker/Cade Yacamelli/Nate White
Plus the three newbies.
Melusi/Walker/Acker is enough to be a solid base and bulwark vs injury.
If anyone wants to step up and take roles/jobs, that’s fine too. The only question is workload. This offense often splits carries/doesn’t have enough for the workload we’re used to with UW teams.
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Melusi and Walker are seniors. I don't know if Walker has an extra year or now, but Melusi will be gone.
I suspect we'll see others leave too, with the new stud recruits in the fold. Acker could play H back too.
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Melusi and Walker are seniors. I don't know if Walker has an extra year or now, but Melusi will be gone.
I suspect we'll see others leave too, with the new stud recruits in the fold. Acker could play H back too.
Walker doesn’t.
But I think this is the last year for the vast majority of extra year guys. Anyone who was a true freshman in 2020 and didn’t do a later-in-career redshirt is gone after this coming year.
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Wisc. has a challenging schedule. This isn't the hump year.
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I think this is a good move.
Wisconsin football names Casey Rabach assistant O-line coach (badgerextra.com) (https://badgerextra.com/sports/football/wisconsin-football-casey-rabach-assistant-coach/article_9a47eaa4-43e6-11ef-8b01-23c6d8cdfa46.html#tracking-source=home-top-story)
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I think this is a good move.
Wisconsin football names Casey Rabach assistant O-line coach (badgerextra.com) (https://badgerextra.com/sports/football/wisconsin-football-casey-rabach-assistant-coach/article_9a47eaa4-43e6-11ef-8b01-23c6d8cdfa46.html#tracking-source=home-top-story)
On the one hand, I’m not the biggest fan of this coach and staff bloat. On the other, it fixes the crappy offensive line last year, I don’t care if they have a coach for each and every starting position.
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I think we're going to see a lot more of this too. Probably assistant OLB/ILB coaches, assistant DB coaches. The bigger groups. Don't need assistant TE coaches. I'd like to see more special teams coaching.
If we're gonna do this, do it.
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I love this from the Badger 247 Board.
Blazek gave an interview recently in which he stated that certain recruits who visited and observed OL workouts with Brady Collins concluded that they could not see themselves putting in the level of commitment to strength and conditioning that Wisconsin now requires.
Blazek is the new OL coach.
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Wondering why Wisconsin chooses now to grant AD Chris McIntosh a 5-year contract extension?
Was McIntosh’s initial contract ending? If not, why not wait another year? By then we’ll have a better sense of direction when it comes the football program finishing year two under Fickell. Last season’s 7-6 faring wasn’t too inspiring. Fair or not, McIntosh’s future as AD is tied to Luke Fickell’s tenure.
McIntosh’s new deal includes a raise from roughly $1M to over $1.4M.
https://twitter.com/UWBadgers/status/1816544732551741799
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The talent on last year's team was overestimated and there were a lot of injuries to compound that.
They will be better this season - even if the record doesn't reflect it.
We mostly all failed to see the decline from 2020 until the end of the PC era. It really started even before that. Jonathan Taylor and an elite defense masked a lot of things.
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Camp is under way, in Platteville, WI. Today is day 3.
Lots of gushing over a few true freshmen, particularly one of the tailbacks - Darrion Dupree. Seems like the kid will play this season. Very shifty, fast and can catch passes. I'm not sure they can keep him off the field.
Darrion Dupree, Mount Carmel, Running Back (247sports.com) (https://247sports.com/player/darrion-dupree-46117231/high-school-267398/)
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Luke Fickell playing the Longo game...I can almost hear the air raid sirens in Camp Randall.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40762655/big-ten-new-offensive-era-wisconsin-culture-shift-2024 (https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40762655/big-ten-new-offensive-era-wisconsin-culture-shift-2024)
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Saw that one and was gonna post it.
Longo has this season. If he has another clunker, he's gone. Fick is not a patient man. He lost 4 assistants after last season - only one of which he wanted to retain.
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Saw that one and was gonna post it.
Longo has this season. If he has another clunker, he's gone. Fick is not a patient man. He lost 4 assistants after last season - only one of which he wanted to retain.
Good article, though I feel like calling it an Air Raid is still miscasting it.
Regardless, the guy has to actually do a good job with it, which means better in-context QB play and probably better line play.
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That's why he canned the OL coach and told Longo he's gonna run it more.
The stable of tailbacks is an embarrassment of riches right now. Use them!
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https://twitter.com/jessetemple/status/1823753995329929246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1823753995329929246%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url= (https://twitter.com/jessetemple/status/1823753995329929246?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1823753995329929246|twgr^|twcon^s1_&ref_url=)
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https://youtu.be/nFtHN0ouM8E (https://youtu.be/nFtHN0ouM8E)
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good thang?
he's that good, or no one to push him?
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Locke is a good QB, but he's only 6' tall and doesn't move as well as TVD.
TVD was ACC rookie of the year in 2021. Then Christobal got hold of him. Notoriously a QB killer.
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Depth chart is taking shape. There will be a lot of true and redshirt freshmen on the depth, and a good number of transfers too.
Luke Fickell has really transformed the roster.
Tyler Van Dyke, the transfer QB from Miami, has been named as the starter.
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(https://i.imgur.com/X83yhVn.jpeg)
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Top DL James Thompson is out for the year. Torn pectoral off the bone.
UW just can't seem to have nice things.
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Top DL James Thompson is out for the year. Torn pectoral off the bone.
UW just can't seem to have nice things.
Hope he can get a medical
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Hope he can get a medical
Should be able to, I think. Which would good. He had day 2-3 potential.
This is tough to come back from.
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Top DL James Thompson is out for the year. Torn pectoral off the bone.
UW just can't seem to have nice things.
Ouch. That sucks.
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When they said "Be like JJ Watt", that's NOT what they meant.
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I personally am thankful every day that my pectoral muscles remain attached to the bones they’re supposed to.
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I feel that way about all of my muscles.
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Not starting a thread for Western Michigan. The last time these two played was in the Cotton Bowl, where PJ Barnum's undefeated Broncos went down to Wisconsin. Much has changed since then.
(https://i.imgur.com/xpxSMnz.png)
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I will be very disappointed if UW doesn't knock the hell out of WMU.
This is a "show me" game now. Both units need to come out firing on all cylinders.
And then I want to see some of the depth guys on the field for Q4.
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season opener
don't set your expectations too high
don't wanna fire the coach next week
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This is on the coordinators. They have the players they wanted now.
Last year they did not coordinate to the players they had, and it showed. The head coach said as much, and both got a talking-to.
There is no excuse. The talent is there.
Show me.
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PT Barnum coached the Broncos? Who was coaching Wisconsin, the Ringling Brothers???
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Paul Chryst.
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Interesting hire.
https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/1829210878748832048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1829210878748832048%7Ctwgr%5E4803e0fd623bb8202a2fcafff15eaa48b8c2e64e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/1829210878748832048?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1829210878748832048|twgr^4803e0fd623bb8202a2fcafff15eaa48b8c2e64e|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
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Interesting hire.
https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/1829210878748832048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1829210878748832048%7Ctwgr%5E4803e0fd623bb8202a2fcafff15eaa48b8c2e64e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/1829210878748832048?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1829210878748832048|twgr^4803e0fd623bb8202a2fcafff15eaa48b8c2e64e|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
Hey getting 8 wins every year looks better when you only play 12
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Lots of experience. It's a good pickup on the surface.
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Did he bring his heavy wielding tools to .Madison?
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?
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https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jaguars-infamous-locker-room-ax-has-been-preserved-for-history
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We don't need another axe in Madison.
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(https://img.gifglobe.com/grabs/montypython/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail/gif/PVXLGRk9kooy.gif)
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I went through some things on this game and what I think will happen is something along the lines of 31-0 at the end of Q3. Get the starters out.
41-14 for the game. Get the young depth some experience.
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I went through some things on this game and what I think will happen is something along the lines of 31-0 at the end of Q3. Get the starters out.
41-14 for the game. Get the young depth some experience.
That's a crock of shit right there.
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run the damn ball!!!
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Not starting a new thread for South Dakota. 3:30 Kick on FS1.
The Badgers will need to be paying attention. This is a top FCS team.
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They need to look not as bad as they looked in that opener.
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This lining up in the shotgun crap on the goal line and short yardage plays needs to stop in Longo doesn't want to be Gonego.
I want to see the freshmen tailbacks on the field. I want to see more of Kekahuna and Lucas too.
I want to see less of RG Huber. He got abused. Put Baby Benz in there and see what he can do.
Shake up the LB's too. It's not working right now.
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This lining up in the shotgun crap on the goal line and short yardage plays needs to stop in Longo doesn't want to be Gonego.
I want to see the freshmen tailbacks on the field. I want to see more of Kekahuna and Lucas too.
I want to see less of RG Huber. He got abused. Put Baby Benz in there and see what he can do.
Shake up the LB's too. It's not working right now.
The short yardage shotgun thing is always funny to me. It’s not like the back starts farther back. But it does feel like the timing is just worse.
As for shakeups, my answer is always this, kids have all week to play like good Big Ten players. If they do that, they’ll get out there. And then if they do their jobs, we’re golden.
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How about less of Chaney and Peterson as a start. Alliegro is a monster. Let Witt play more.
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Stick a fork in this season. Kid was actually starting to play really well as he grasped the system of his 4th OC in 4 years. Maybe he can get a medical redshirt.
https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1835787502365413884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1835787502365413884%7Ctwgr%5E369ce4afe9a20f1486b256978ac8fba49530ce3d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1835787502365413884?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1835787502365413884|twgr^369ce4afe9a20f1486b256978ac8fba49530ce3d|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
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Sad.
(https://i.imgur.com/JygGUCD.jpeg)
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Dang. That's some harsh stuff.
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At least they didn't have paper bags over their heads.
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Stick a fork in this season. Kid was actually starting to play really well as he grasped the system of his 4th OC in 4 years. Maybe he can get a medical redshirt.
https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1835787502365413884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1835787502365413884%7Ctwgr%5E369ce4afe9a20f1486b256978ac8fba49530ce3d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1835787502365413884?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1835787502365413884|twgr^369ce4afe9a20f1486b256978ac8fba49530ce3d|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
That stinks.
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Dang. That's some harsh stuff.
I've been on the wrong side of 25 in that stadium
it's harsh
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Is Wisconsin's backup worth a damn? Didn't see any of the Bama game.
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Is Wisconsin's backup worth a damn? Didn't see any of the Bama game.
Not really. Seems like a nice kid
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Is Wisconsin's backup worth a damn? Didn't see any of the Bama game.
He's worth less than a damn. And the guy who brought him in is even worse.
The good news for me is that I became a Wisconsin fan in the middle 1980's, so I know how to root for a team that sucks.
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I can go back further to 1970. Wisconsin"s schedule included Oklahoma, TCU, Penn State (non conf game), Michigan and Ohio State. That year's big win was Penn State, tieing TCU and lossing a close game with Michigan. Other wins were Indiana, Illinois and Minnesota. The rest of the 70's were a blurr to me, if you know what I mean. lol.
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This lining up in the shotgun crap on the goal line and short yardage plays needs to stop in Longo doesn't want to be Gonego.
I want to see the freshmen tailbacks on the field. I want to see more of Kekahuna and Lucas too.
I want to see less of RG Huber. He got abused. Put Baby Benz in there and see what he can do.
Shake up the LB's too. It's not working right now.
You sound like a nebraska fan
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It's one thing if you're Florida's Billy Napier and quickly realized by Gator fans as way in over your head. But what to make of Luke Fickell's underwhelming 10-7 start at Wisconsin? On paper it appeared Wisconsin made a near perfect hire. Fickell arrived with extensive experience in the Big Ten, finished 57-18 to include consecutive Top 10 finishes in six years at Cincinnati, and recruiting ticked upward.
Fast forward to now and not only is Wisconsin off to a bad start, but worse, going forward, there doesn't seem to be much hope left in the air to do better under Fickell. To quote an Athlon article (https://athlonsports.com/college/all-badgers/wisconsin-badgers-football-fans-losing-faith-in-luke-fickell-after-blowout-loss-to-alabama) covering last Saturday's home loss to Bama: "...it’s becoming clear that Wisconsin is further away from being a legitimate contender than anyone could have expected."
In watching (via game replays) Wisconsin show poorly against what should be weaklings in W. Michigan and S. Dakota, before getting throttled by Alabama, the worst takeaway has to be Wisconsin losing grip of their dependable trademarks: Strong OL & ground game complemented by sturdy, disciplined defenses. Wisconsin's characteristic play incorporated players built from the ground up with redshirts and in weight rooms to fit into the Badgers gridiron culture of “physicality and execution.” For over 30 years, across four coaching tenures from Alvarez to Paul Chryst, Wisconsin always looked like Wisconsin. The Badgers more often lacked the skill players that put Ohio State or Oklahoma over the top, but they always had a roster that could pound away and dependably beat equal-or-lesser opponents. They were rarely overrun by better rosters from Columbus or Ann Arbor, and by and large seasons never went off the rails.
Meanwhile, I look at Boston College under Bill O'Brien this season - leaning on strong lines and disciplined defense to 'upset' Florida State and hang tough against a Top 10 Missouri team, both games on the road - and think that's what Wisconsin should look like even if losses to Bama, USC, Penn State, and Oregon are probable. Even through a down year, Wisconsin looking like Wisconsin would inspire enough hope to buy Fickell more time.
This is where I take back what I said a year ago regarding the support for hiring Leonhard:
OK, good news for the Badger faithful. A contingent of Madison diehards were demanding Leonhard or else! Good on the AD for ignoring the feelgood hometown story.
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Leonhard did not like to recruit and play the NIL game. That's why he is working for the Broncos now.
Fickell was a home run hire at the time. The man turned down Notre Dame, USC, LSU and many others. I couldn't believe Wisconsin got him. I was shocked, and elated.
Fickell's choice for his OC was/is a disaster. I'm glad he fired Longo's OL coach after last season, against Longo's wishes. OL play is MUCH better this season.
Before the Bama game, Longo went on record saying he's only in Madison "to please Luke Fickell". There is massive friction right now - and it's Fickell's fault for hiring a guy who didn't fit his vision (which I thought was changing, but it hasn't) for offense. Now he's dealing with it.
AND
He wanted to fire Longo after last season, but the AD wouldn't do the buyout.
This is not gonna end well, in my opinion.
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Leonhard did not like to recruit and play the NIL game. That's why he is working for the Broncos now.
Fickell was a home run hire at the time. The man turned down Notre Dame, USC, LSU and many others. I couldn't believe Wisconsin got him. I was shocked, and elated.
Fickell's choice for his OC was/is a disaster. I'm glad he fired Longo's OL coach after last season, against Longo's wishes. OL play is MUCH better this season.
Before the Bama game, Longo went on record saying he's only in Madison "to please Luke Fickell". There is massive friction right now - and it's Fickell's fault for hiring a guy who didn't fit his vision (which I thought was changing, but it hasn't) for offense. Now he's dealing with it.
AND
He wanted to fire Longo after last season, but the AD wouldn't do the buyout.
This is not gonna end well, in my opinion.
I understand the thought process with the OC, and at the time we knew there were some flags and monitor. But the offense simply is not good, which mildly surprises me. But that’s where we are.
From the outside, it certainly seemed like a somewhat sound process, give or take easy to see risk. But they definitely caught the bust outcome of that hand.
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The offense struggling because of the QB situation is not a big deal. Can b fixed.
The culture issue regarding big tough guys in the trenches and leaning on them is a big deal.
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They are not wrong.
Opinion from Yahoo! sports:
Wisconsin
The current state of Wisconsin football can be seen in a key fourth down in USC territory in the third quarter. Needing a yard, the Badgers lined up in shotgun, ran into the line of scrimmage and came up short. Ahead 21-17 at that moment, Wisconsin wouldn’t score again. This team is not physical, not athletic, not explosive, not tough and not built in any way that resembles the identity that defined the program for decades. Instead, this looks like a program in clear decline with no obvious path back to relevancy.
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(https://i.imgur.com/HSvXXme.png)
Win
Loss
Tossup
Loss
Loss
Loss
Loss
Tossup
Heads roll.
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Opinion from Yahoo! sports:
Wisconsin
Instead, this looks like a program in clear decline with no obvious path back to relevancy.
They are called Yahoo for a reason. NIL just might make this sport unwatchable,hope that is inaccurate
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They are called Yahoo for a reason. NIL just might make this sport unwatchable,hope that is inaccurate
I'm getting there.
As I see it today, only OSU, Michigan, PSU, USC, and Oregon can sniff the playoff. They have the money to buy talent.
Maybe Nebraska down the road.
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Wisconsin
The current state of Wisconsin football…
Instead, this looks like a program in clear decline with no obvious path back to relevancy.
This is the hardest statement to read, and yes - blame the NIL, but the transfer portal and conference realignment are also to blame, all at once hitting college football with too much change.
This is something I was talking in depth about with my Auburn friends yesterday.
Though college football’s helmet schools always had a grip on the sport there was always strong resistance mounted against their throne from the more second tier ranks. Which, when the times were right, made room at the top for schools like Florida and Miami to have truly dominate runs for several years. Or Wisconsin’s persistence would pay off with Rose Bowls. Or Auburn landing the right player could result in a national championship season lead by Cam Newton.
In this new era it’s like those options for the 2nd tier ranks are more limited due to:
1) NIL keeping up with the Helmet schools in the NIL era.
2) Transfer Portal giving helmet schools the chance to pry away solid players from 2nd tier schools. Image Ohio State and Michigan cherry picking experienced, well developed lineman from Wisconsin or Iowa using the NIL. Now coaches have to re-recruit their best players every season.
3) The conference realignment has made schedules more dense. Meaning a 10-2 team is 9-3 or 8-4, which means the 2nd tier is knocked out of conference contention earlier. This point might be more debatable. Auburn and Wisconsin collapsing in the second half yesterday is worse than it otherwise would be because, given their “realigned” schedules, they might not even win enough to make a bowl. This wouldn’t be the case with their older schedules.
Now I wonder if this second tier is disappearing in terms of opportunity like a middle class that disappears while the upper echelon is solidified.
Someone (ELA?) was saying something like too much of the sport’s upper half (2nd tier) of the sport is built to go 8-4. That 8-4 is the 2nd tier being left in the dust by the locked in Helmets.
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Wisconsin had to DL leave in the portal, and they could really use them right now.
One starts at LSU
One starts at aTm
$$$$$$$$
Badgers couldn't match.
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Fickell is a legit coach. The problem at Wisconsin is he doesn’t have a QB (TVD stunk at Miami- even if he was healthy he still sucks imo) and he’s got a bad co-ordinator or two.
NOTHING will sink a head coach and a program faster than QB issues + bad co-ordinators. Fickell didn’t forget how to coach. He just doesn’t have a QB and he made a bad hire at OC.
Sherrone Moore will be in this same exact situation Fickell finds himself in if he doesn’t fire his co-ordinators at the end of the year and get a couple QB’s in the porthole and get another ‘25 QB commit.
Fickell’s issues are fixable. Send the OC on a rocket ship headed straight for the sun and just go balls to the wall in the porthole for multiple QBs.
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a mediocre coach can't overcome poor QB play
it's not NIL, not adding teams to the conference, not the portal
it's the coach
as it's always been
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a mediocre coach can't overcome poor QB play
even a great coach can't overcome that.
have you seen Bill Belichik before and after Tom Brady?
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Image Ohio State and Michigan cherry picking experienced, well developed lineman from Wisconsin or Iowa using the NIL. Now coaches have to re-recruit their best players every season.
Wisconsin's issues don't have much to do with NIL, unless it has to do with NIL management.
Wisconsin's population is 5.9 million. It is the only FBS school in the state; there are no FCS schools in Wisconsin. Camp Randall seats 76,000 fans. Wisconsin is not Iowa, or Indiana. Wisconsin has advantages that neither of the two Indiana state schools, or Iowa, has, plus Madison is a beautiful town.
Iowa's population is 3.2 million, but there are two FBS schools, and two FCS schools (one is nonscholarship similar to the Ivies), and Kinnick Stadium seats 69,250.
It is coaching, and recruiting, unless they are not on top of NIL. I presume if Fickell manages to go 6-6 they will bring him back next year. The third year is pivotal.
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Wisconsin is Packers first, by a very large margin.
Wisconsin is not a wealthy state.
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It is Packers by a significant margin
Badgers are not even 2 or 3. Brewers are not close to Packers but way ahead of UW. Bucks would be 3rd.
The State has a frugal bent which is undeniable.
My most boosterish UW friends would rather put a few bucks in their up north property (or worthless Packers stock) than fund a collective. I don't blame them.
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Wisconsin is Packers first, by a very large margin.
Wisconsin is not a wealthy state.
maybe so but Wisconsin has plenty of wealthy boosters. need them to donate to NIL funds a little more and directly to the school a little less.
Take Portnoy for example. He really hasn’t donated to the school and he’s talked openly about it- how they keep lobbying him to donate but he won’t. Why donate to AD that will waste your money on sports that aren’t football when you can donate directly to NIL to get football players? If Portnoy follows through on his word and ponies up $3 million a year to get Michigan a top flight QB- that is FAR more impactful on the football program than it is just writing a $3 million check to the AD.
Wisconsin has plenty of wealthy boosters to go around to pool money together to buy a QB. They need to get with the times and evolve or die. It’s that simple.
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Herb Kohl is dead. I can't think of any wealthy Wisconsin boosters.
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https://twitter.com/BraelonAllen/status/1840165817310154864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1840165817310154864%7Ctwgr%5E15780c99f9a43a298f1a13f0c21a10638c9379d4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Fbraelon-tweet-237084710%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/BraelonAllen/status/1840165817310154864?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1840165817310154864|twgr^15780c99f9a43a298f1a13f0c21a10638c9379d4|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Fbraelon-tweet-237084710%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
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https://twitter.com/jqfergy11/status/1840155285312143742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1840155285312143742%7Ctwgr%5E15780c99f9a43a298f1a13f0c21a10638c9379d4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Fbraelon-tweet-237084710%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/jqfergy11/status/1840155285312143742?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1840155285312143742|twgr^15780c99f9a43a298f1a13f0c21a10638c9379d4|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Fbraelon-tweet-237084710%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
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https://twitter.com/BraelonAllen/status/1840165817310154864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1840165817310154864%7Ctwgr%5E15780c99f9a43a298f1a13f0c21a10638c9379d4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Fbraelon-tweet-237084710%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/BraelonAllen/status/1840165817310154864?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1840165817310154864|twgr^15780c99f9a43a298f1a13f0c21a10638c9379d4|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Fbraelon-tweet-237084710%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
Peppers Farm remembers when he was fluffing up the new offense because it was going to create light boxes, and then was pretty mediocre, taking advantage of them
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Wisconsin had to DL leave in the portal, and they could really use them right now.
One starts at LSU
One starts at aTm
$$$$$$$$
Badgers couldn't match.
DL Gio Paez going to LSU is a good case study of non-helmets getting stripped of experienced roster talent. His other notable scholarship offers were Kentucky, Louisville, NC State, Nebraska, and Texas A&M.
Wisconsin took on the work of finding him and scouting him from a smaller school in North Carolina. Wisconsin risked a scholarship on him. And Wisconsin did the work of developing Paez into a contributing starter. But in this NIL/Portal/Realignment era others who didn’t do any of this work can have six figures waiting for him should he hit the portal. The new era makes it that much more difficult for non-helmets to create success for themselves on the back bone of qualities like persistence and program identity.
Sherrone Moore will be in this same exact situation Fickell finds himself in if he doesn’t fire his co-ordinators at the end of the year and get a couple QB’s in the porthole and get another ‘25 QB commit.
But the different reality Sherrone Moore can take advantage of is having major bankroller(s) willing to fund the NIL game.
Take Portnoy for example.
“I’ll talk to Sherrone – ‘who do you guys want?’ I’ll go get them. I will sign them. A million. Two million. Whatever it is.”
https://twitter.com/stoolpresidente/status/1839284480059523421
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This is the hardest statement to read, and yes - blame the NIL, but the transfer portal and conference realignment are also to blame, all at once hitting college football with too much change.
This is something I was talking in depth about with my Auburn friends yesterday.
Though college football’s helmet schools always had a grip on the sport there was always strong resistance mounted against their throne from the more second tier ranks. Which, when the times were right, made room at the top for schools like Florida and Miami to have truly dominate runs for several years. Or Wisconsin’s persistence would pay off with Rose Bowls. Or Auburn landing the right player could result in a national championship season lead by Cam Newton.
In this new era it’s like those options for the 2nd tier ranks are more limited due to:
1) NIL keeping up with the Helmet schools in the NIL era.
2) Transfer Portal giving helmet schools the chance to pry away solid players from 2nd tier schools. Image Ohio State and Michigan cherry picking experienced, well developed lineman from Wisconsin or Iowa using the NIL. Now coaches have to re-recruit their best players every season.
3) The conference realignment has made schedules more dense. Meaning a 10-2 team is 9-3 or 8-4, which means the 2nd tier is knocked out of conference contention earlier. This point might be more debatable. Auburn and Wisconsin collapsing in the second half yesterday is worse than it otherwise would be because, given their “realigned” schedules, they might not even win enough to make a bowl. This wouldn’t be the case with their older schedules.
Now I wonder if this second tier is disappearing in terms of opportunity like a middle class that disappears while the upper echelon is solidified.
Someone (ELA?) was saying something like too much of the sport’s upper half (2nd tier) of the sport is built to go 8-4. That 8-4 is the 2nd tier being left in the dust by the locked in Helmets.
Agree with all of this.
We're a long way from a stabilization of college football in the post-NCAA control era. Right now it's the wild west. It will take some time to figure out what's next, but when there are no enforceable rules, the strong get stronger. That's just how it works. But there is a risk with that. As I've discussed about politics from time to time, the French Revolution (and the terrors that went with it) was the market correcting itself--much to the chagrin of those in power. It may well be that the blue bloods can form a league that serves their interests, but it may also be that college football has never been an NFL-lite, and that the efforts to turn it into one backfire on the wealthy schools.
Schools like Wisconsin can be part of the solution, if they can use their still-significant weight to force rules that result in fairness, or they can get left behind.
Right now Wisconsin is getting left behind, and that's due to a combination of coaching, recruiting, and the changing landscape. Wisconsin can fix the first issue, and maybe the second. I think Fickell is more than capable, but Saturday's game was much more troubling to me than the Alabama game.
These things have happened before to good coaches who have been able to right the ship.
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Also, a walk around campus will let you know that Wisconsin has plenty of wealthy benefactors ready to put their names on things. Maybe none like the Kohl family, but there's still plenty there. I do think that culturally, Wisconsin is little c conservative in the sense that the state, its residents, and its flagship university's alumni aren't generally the ones who lead the revolution, whatever that revolution might be. I think of the culture there as very practical--which is a good thing, generally. I'm not surprised that the folks leading the athletic department aren't trying to lead the way on changing the college sports landscape.
And, yes, the Packers, Brewers, and Bucks are a much bigger deal--that's true of most pro sports in most places.
And I know people are worried about the state of the football program, which has not been good for several years now. But hiring Fickell was the right decision, even if it doesn't turn out right. And it if doesn't, McIntosh (or the person who replaces him) will have to give it another go.
The whole air raid offense is an interersting thing. If I remember correctly, Brian Kelly had great success with a versin of it at Cincinatti, but was never really able to get it going at Notre Dame. Mike Leach was its grand wizard, and he had his moments, but did it really every get him all the way to the promised land? Maybe I'm wrong--this is gut feel, and two years of futility in Madison--but it feels like an offense that can work for lower tier programs because they can really get it going every now and again and use it to upset the bigger, more established programs. Something like it, although I think it's more often a more standard RPO offense can work for the highest tier programs because they can get the incredible athletes that it really takes advantage of, but I'm not sure it's a good offense to build a consistent, strong, but not elite program around. So if Fickell is going to use it to turn Wisconsin into a premier program--which is what Fickell and McIntosh have talked about--they are going to have to solve the recruiting/NIL issues. If not, Fickell is probably better off trying to get back to consistently very good teams, and then try to use that to push Wisconsin into the CFB playoff picture.
That was working under Bielema for a bit (it helped that Michigan and Ohio State each had their own pains at the time), and Chryst had a few very good seasons in which it seemed like the Badgers were on that cusp, before the program started to really suffer from recruiting problems (if I understand what happened correctly).
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https://twitter.com/ESPNMadison/status/1841223363554938971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1841223363554938971%7Ctwgr%5E295ec46e05d7fb07c568c9a73154244071e8f5fd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/ESPNMadison/status/1841223363554938971?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1841223363554938971|twgr^295ec46e05d7fb07c568c9a73154244071e8f5fd|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
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https://twitter.com/BraelonAllen/status/1840165817310154864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1840165817310154864%7Ctwgr%5E15780c99f9a43a298f1a13f0c21a10638c9379d4%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Fbraelon-tweet-237084710%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/BraelonAllen/status/1840165817310154864?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1840165817310154864|twgr^15780c99f9a43a298f1a13f0c21a10638c9379d4|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Fbraelon-tweet-237084710%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
What is this about?
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What is this about?
My guess is disfunction.
CLF wanted to fire the OC last season, and the AD wouldn't do the buyout.
The OL coach that the OC brought in did get fired, but he had no buyout (or value). Had he not been fired, half (or more) of the OL group would have transferred.
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https://twitter.com/ESPNMadison/status/1841223363554938971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1841223363554938971%7Ctwgr%5E295ec46e05d7fb07c568c9a73154244071e8f5fd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/ESPNMadison/status/1841223363554938971?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1841223363554938971|twgr^295ec46e05d7fb07c568c9a73154244071e8f5fd|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
People can be really good at overthinking simple things. This is a simple thing. If the Badgers had lined up appropriately--under center with two tight ends--and run a play action fake that failed, that would be one thing, but this? No. Bad call.
Honestly, if you are going to run out of the shotgun, at least line up a bunch of receivers to keep the defense honest by spreading it out. That's a better play than this.
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Also, a walk around campus will let you know that Wisconsin has plenty of wealthy benefactors ready to put their names on things.
A walk through the engineering building at my community college in Palatine, IL would let people know it has a room with my name on it.
I would never consider donating that amount ($50K) to buy players for my school in Madison. I'd rather support engineering.
There are many who gave that and more for names on rooms, buildings, etc., at Harper College and at UW, who would not consider buying players.
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priorities, dude
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Absolutely.
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Top tail back Chez Mellusi stepping away from the team for health reasons (and maybe football reasons?).
Obviously unfortunate for the team, which is not in a great way, but sounds like it’s more unfortunate for him. His last three seasons have ended with an injury. Seems like a good teammate and worker coming back each time. You hate to see it.
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Preserves the redshirt, I guess?
Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi steps away from program (badgerextra.com) (https://badgerextra.com/sports/football/wisconsin-football-chez-mellusi/article_e78804ca-81da-11ef-a454-735c7aa6fc35.html)
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must be a serious health issue unrelated to football if he's stepping away from the team
most times, regardless of health issue, a player wants to be part of and stay connected with the team
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FTR, the RB in the picture below is not Chez.
https://twitter.com/PeteNakos_/status/1841993326225924587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1841993326225924587%7Ctwgr%5Eec0747678e3090902735908f91cc3dd2fb527f3f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Fchez-stepping-away-from-the-team-237353096%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/PeteNakos_/status/1841993326225924587?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1841993326225924587|twgr^ec0747678e3090902735908f91cc3dd2fb527f3f|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Fchez-stepping-away-from-the-team-237353096%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
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https://twitter.com/ESPNMadison/status/1841223363554938971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1841223363554938971%7Ctwgr%5E295ec46e05d7fb07c568c9a73154244071e8f5fd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/ESPNMadison/status/1841223363554938971?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1841223363554938971|twgr^295ec46e05d7fb07c568c9a73154244071e8f5fd|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
Everyone at our tailgate was watching this play as it happened, and they had the same reaction that Barry did. Going for it in that spot (4th and inches from the opponents 39) is absolutely the right decision, but get your ass under center!
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It's an execution play. Block a man.
There's actually data showing 4th and 1 rushes from shotgun have higher success rate than under center. It's relatively marginal, but still counterintuitive.
I was in disbelief too.
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“If you wanted to say, ‘All right, what is the biggest issue we’re facing right now,’ I think just from an offensive side of the ball, not having that identity that I think every good offense has,” said former Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Thomas, a two time All-American and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame who attended the Alabama game. “Certainly, Wisconsin teams in years past have always had a pretty clear identity. You knew you could get it done because we were going to lean on our big running backs and our big offensive line, and nobody was going to be able to stop us.
“Are we putting all 11 guys in an advantageous position? Are we giving them the information and knowledge before they walk to the line of scrimmage to be able to execute? That’s my question.”
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Preserves the redshirt, I guess?
Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi steps away from program (badgerextra.com) (https://badgerextra.com/sports/football/wisconsin-football-chez-mellusi/article_e78804ca-81da-11ef-a454-735c7aa6fc35.html)
It doesn’t totally. It opens up the possibility of a medical seventh year. But that can be dicy.
I think he might just be feeling all those injuries.
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It doesn’t totally. It opens up the possibility of a medical seventh year. But that can be dicy.
I think he might just be feeling all those injuries.
I really like the kid. He just didn't have it this year and probably should have called it a career after last year.
This is the first week Wisconsin has not released a depth chart.
Makes me wonder a little.
Like, was this a "tough" conversation perhaps?
Were there more "tough" conversations?
Again, no depth chart. Something going on?
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After watching Wisconsin turn their season around these past three games while watching Alabama begin looking like everybody else (penalties, offense suffering cold stretches, defense giving up untimely 3rd downs) I wonder how a rematch would go at this point in the season?
Wisconsin looks night-&-day better than how they started the seasons with playing down to FCS opponents, blowout losses, 2nd half collapses, getting out-physical-ed, and wondering whether the Badgers might miss a bowl.
The Badgers put up 589yds Vs Purdue, 549yds @ Rutgers, and 359yds @ NW. They've beaten their last three opponents by an average of 30.3 pts. Some might question the level of competition but this is exactly how a great Indiana team is mowing through their schedule. A win is more than possible Vs Penn State this weekend.
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See my comment on the Penn State game thread. The offense is looking much better, but it still has a lot of kinks to work through. Tawee Walker looks great; Will Pauling--if he can stay healthy--is a huge plus for the passing game. Locke looks past open receivers at 5-7 yards to go for the homerun ball too often.
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Locke is not the answer, and I'd rather his brother (2025 commit) not come either. Need a blue-chip dual threat QB to run this offense and the Badgers simply cannot get one of those.
So?
There is only one answer here.
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Vultures are starting to come out. I'm not there. Yet. But 70-10 cannot be denied or ignored.
(https://i.imgur.com/dhXk1y5.png)
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the O-coordinator must GO
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the O-coordinator must GO
Agree. The 70-10 is more on him than the DC. Tough to play D when you're on the field as long as they've been.
Dropped passes are of no help either. I've lost count how many there have been.
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(https://i.imgur.com/cCvXHAG.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/7bzydhk.png)
Yeah, sure kid. We don't believe you.
https://twitter.com/__Iamwil/status/1851076486205157636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1851076486205157636%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url= (https://twitter.com/__Iamwil/status/1851076486205157636?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1851076486205157636|twgr^|twcon^s1_&ref_url=)
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Flipped from Purdue.
https://247sports.com/Player/drayden-pavey-46135618/ (https://247sports.com/Player/drayden-pavey-46135618/)
Flipped from MSU.
https://247sports.com/Player/emmett-bork-46143829/ (https://247sports.com/Player/emmett-bork-46143829/)
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Vultures are starting to come out. I'm not there. Yet. But 70-10 cannot be denied or ignored.
(https://i.imgur.com/dhXk1y5.png)
I kinda think 70-10 is a quirk of the season.
But I think the OC is gonna be fired for general on field and specific off-field reasons.
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The OC is responsible for a lot of those 70 points. The OC is why UW lost to Penn State.
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The OC is responsible for a lot of those 70 points. The OC is why UW lost to Penn State.
I wouldn’t go that far. Penn State is mostly better. And both sides of the ball were not particularly sharp.
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Locke's decision making is the most obvious reason for that loss. There is no way Longo is coaching him to throw the ball that resulted in the pick-6. Wisconsin needs to grow its players--we won't get players who come in as stars right away, particularly at the QB position. And I agree with BAB that Penn State looked better on both sides of the ball (except maybe special teams?) throughout most of the game.
The USC loss is the one that really grinds on me. And, yes, I agree that the inability to sustain drives put the Badger D in a bad spot against the Trojans (and others). The wear on the defense is significant by the second half--too much time on the field. Fellow Badger fans may not like it, but I think we actually need more "dink and dunk" plays--pick up 5-7 yards at a time, with fewer deep balls. The more of those short routes that work, the more the deeper balls will open up. I'm not opposed to this style of offense, but we haven't had a QB that has run it right yet. And maybe it's just to early for Locke. QBs--especially Badger-level QBs--need time to develop.
But if the team doesn't win two more, I wouldn't be surprised if Fickell makes the change. If they beat Iowa this weekend, it will calm the nerves. If they aren't competitive against Iowa, that will be a real problem.
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Longo called the passing play on 3rd and a mile from his own 5. Should have run a draw from under center. Anything but that call.
That play and the phantom hold on Ashcraft during the long Anthony return were the plays of the game.
The UW defense only gave up 21 points. You gotta win that one. Sorry.
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Why did CPC get fired?
https://twitter.com/Toonentodillon/status/1851398368699851197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1851398368699851197%7Ctwgr%5Ee07282652f95302ee25035ffe182c3cb50cd7d1d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/Toonentodillon/status/1851398368699851197?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1851398368699851197|twgr^e07282652f95302ee25035ffe182c3cb50cd7d1d|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
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I'm sure he's a very nice kid but you can't win with this. His OC does him no favors either and must go and take his QB with him.
(https://i.imgur.com/L46u1GY.png)
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This was a spot for the OC not to get fired. He failed that.
Locke is a backup. Iowa makes starters post lines like that some years. If your backup is getting the kinda support he got in Iowa at night … that’s usually the outcome.
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When do we start talking about the head coach?
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When do we start talking about the head coach?
Hmmm. Good Q.
Next year. Depending on things. Like if they lose out, he’s a midseason firing candidate.
If they bowl this year, you see how next year goes. If they miss a bowl, out. If they win 8 or more, peachy. If they win cruddy feeling 6 or 7, check the vibes.
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He's a defensive guy.
His DC also sucks.
Iowa doesn't throw.
Tressel's defense in response?
2 DL
4 LB
5 DB
What in the ever-loving F**K is that? And he runs out the same shit after the half?
How would anyone expect that to work against 5 OL, 1-2 TE and a fullback? Iowa had 325 yards rushing. Inexcusable.
Heads must roll this week. Name an interim OC (Guiton) and let Fick be the HC/DC.
Also, lose the T.E.A.M. vest. Too Fleckish.
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Herring was a very good DL in Madison. This is going to turn ugly.
https://twitter.com/DubbHerring45/status/1852872671840927991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1852872671840927991%7Ctwgr%5Ebbec6efc810e349d137251d58624be735bce9711%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/DubbHerring45/status/1852872671840927991?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1852872671840927991|twgr^bbec6efc810e349d137251d58624be735bce9711|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
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(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4DMXeLA9QCY/TggMHv9mkrI/AAAAAAAAATA/dXAIuh182Fg/s1600/adam_sandler.jpg) (https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.93af8ad44622d25b3434147fe93d7ffb?rik=9ka7T5SrBXKMbA&riu=http%3a%2f%2fbuckeyefansonly.com%2fbuckeyenews%2fimages08%2fLukeFickell1.jpg&ehk=XE3dEnzj63xrJMVX07hg1A8n0yHpMRe0d3W7krvSyn0%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0)
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Herring was a very good DL in Madison. This is going to turn ugly.
https://twitter.com/DubbHerring45/status/1852872671840927991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1852872671840927991%7Ctwgr%5Ebbec6efc810e349d137251d58624be735bce9711%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/DubbHerring45/status/1852872671840927991?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1852872671840927991|twgr^bbec6efc810e349d137251d58624be735bce9711|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
I’ll have to double check, but I think the problem there is they don’t have enough defensive lined depth, which is obviously a big problem, but not One with a solution yesterday.
Historically, they actually had surprisingly good run stopping with that 2-4-5 approach, granted they used to have a bunch of actually beastly outside linebackers.
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(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4DMXeLA9QCY/TggMHv9mkrI/AAAAAAAAATA/dXAIuh182Fg/s1600/adam_sandler.jpg) (https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.93af8ad44622d25b3434147fe93d7ffb?rik=9ka7T5SrBXKMbA&riu=http%3a%2f%2fbuckeyefansonly.com%2fbuckeyenews%2fimages08%2fLukeFickell1.jpg&ehk=XE3dEnzj63xrJMVX07hg1A8n0yHpMRe0d3W7krvSyn0%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0)
😂😂
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Historically, they actually had surprisingly good run stopping with that 2-4-5 approach, granted they used to have a bunch of actually beastly outside linebackers.
yes, but probably not against heavy sets like Iowa
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yes, but probably not against heavy sets like Iowa
They did, but they also had an awesome group of LB's since Dave Aranda came to town, along with better line talent. The defenses under Aranda, Wilcox and Leonhard were nasty, up until 2022. Recruiting took a nosedive starting in 2020 and here we are.
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hope they get it sorted,Big is always better when the Badgers have a say
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This is a must watch. :clap:
https://twitter.com/EvilCoachFick/status/1853188325869265068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1853188325869265068%7Ctwgr%5Ef2f839702c3d1e8206a48735b531e5c03981a3e1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/EvilCoachFick/status/1853188325869265068?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1853188325869265068|twgr^f2f839702c3d1e8206a48735b531e5c03981a3e1|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
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This is a must watch. :clap:
https://twitter.com/EvilCoachFick/status/1853188325869265068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1853188325869265068%7Ctwgr%5Ef2f839702c3d1e8206a48735b531e5c03981a3e1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/EvilCoachFick/status/1853188325869265068?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1853188325869265068|twgr^f2f839702c3d1e8206a48735b531e5c03981a3e1|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)
Omg. 😂😂😂
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Made me laugh, but bottom line this team needs an identity. The offense can't move the chains consistently enough against good defenses, leaving a gassed defense out there. And the QB throws too many INTs. I agree that I'm not especially impressed by the defense, but the offense is causing a lot of the defensive problems, giving up short fields, and just too much time on the field. As I said in the game thread, I'm not completely done with the offense, but it isn't working right--something has to give.
Longo has to be first to go, but Fickell's seat will be warm next year, even if the Badgers do make a bowl. It will be hot if they don't.
Jim Leohnard is smiling somehwere--but he's probably fortunate that he didn't get the job. The truth is Fickell did inherit a program in trouble.
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https://youtu.be/2TgOEpGwoyI
Starting at 32 seconds in:
“[T]hat’s the first time I felt - this – right, even after the Alabama game it wasn’t the same thing.
Um, this was somethin’ that a – that kind of your worst nightmare to just kind of be overtaken and -a- manhandled and dominated, especially in the second half." [Purses lips, closes eyes, swallows hard, scratches forehead, looks down, then comforts his face rubbing his hand over it down to his chin].
I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean to make his reaction sound like a plot from a questionable romance novel, but after I typed this direct quote, now I’m not so sure.
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My video is better than your video.
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This is for @Mdot21 (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1595)
Bishop Verot's Carter Smith breaks all Dallas Crawford Lee County career quarterback records (https://www.news-press.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2024/11/08/bishop-verot-quarterback-carter-smith-breaks-lee-county-career-passing-record/75677257007/)
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More for @Mdot21 (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1595)
Jaylen Williams 2025 Strongside Defensive End Michigan (https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/jaylen-williams-295112?view=pv)
Visiting Madison with his buddy Carter Smith.
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Fickell just whacked OC Phil Longo.
Fickell announces coaching change | Wisconsin Badgers (https://uwbadgers.com/news/2024/11/17/football-xxxx.aspx)
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hah, Rhule did that last week, during a bye week
he's a week or two ahead - hope it helps
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Should have happened after Iowa. Two weeks lost.
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shoulda never been hired like Satt
of course Dana didn't do any better after two weeks
sometimes, it's not about the play calls, it's about players executing
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After a loss a reporter supposedly asked USC's John McKay about his teams execution - he reportedly replied "I'm all for it"
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on the Wisconsin thread?
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Fickell just whacked OC Phil Longo.
Fickell announces coaching change | Wisconsin Badgers (https://uwbadgers.com/news/2024/11/17/football-xxxx.aspx)
Interested to see who takes over.
That feels a little like Matt Canada hire at LSU. Made sense on paper, but had a lot of risks.
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Interesting takes.
Phil Longo fired by Wisconsin: Did Luke Fickell's Badgers pull plug too soon on Air Raid experiment? - CBSSports.com (https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/phil-longo-fired-by-wisconsin-did-luke-fickells-badgers-pull-plug-too-soon-on-air-raid-experiment/)
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Why Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell fired OC Phil Longo: Who could replace him? - The Athletic (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5930481/2024/11/18/phil-longo-fired-luke-fickell-wisconsin-football-offensive-coordinator/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983&userId=348046)
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Interesting takes.
Phil Longo fired by Wisconsin: Did Luke Fickell's Badgers pull plug too soon on Air Raid experiment? - CBSSports.com (https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/phil-longo-fired-by-wisconsin-did-luke-fickells-badgers-pull-plug-too-soon-on-air-raid-experiment/)
They missed the most central point.
These coaches do not like each other or work well together. So the only way that the relationship could continue is if the offense is really humming. And it was not.
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They don't like each other? Have not heard that one.
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This section of the Athletic article is insightful:
As the season progressed there were clear philosophical differences between what Fickell and Longo wanted, with Fickell repeatedly stressing the need to lean on the offensive line and run game more. And while Longo’s offense emphasized the run, he failed to mesh his concepts with Wisconsin’s roster. Perhaps his most notable quote occurred when pressed about the lack of results earlier this season when he said: “I’m here to please coach Fickell.”
Longo did not respond to a cell phone request for comment this week from The Athletic.
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I was surprised Wisconsin dished its OC, late-season. It seems like a meltdown. Why dish now? Why not after the Minnesota game? There must be a lot of frustration boiling, and bad blood. I would guess the starters are melded to Longo. I don't think late-season moves like this one will portend well for Luke Fickell.
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I was surprised Wisconsin dished its OC, late-season. It seems like a meltdown. Why dish now? Why not after the Minnesota game? There must be a lot of frustration boiling, and bad blood. I would guess the starters are melded to Longo. I don't think late-season moves like this one will portend well for Luke Fickell.
Nothing in Madison is melded to Longo - except maybe the QB.
He did it now so he could have an OC in place before signing day. Wisconsin has a silly law about a job having to be posted for at least two weeks before you can hire. Here we are.
I'm guessing he knows who it is already.
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They don't like each other? Have not heard that one.
I’ve heard Longo can be pretty abrasive. And it seems like the head coach had a number of opinions on how the offense should run. And he is an especially poor candidate to take those kind of suggestions.
I really hope an OK number of badger fans show up at the UW bar in town for that game. It can sometimes be a little spotty.
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QB Cole LaCrue is in the portal already. Never saw the field or a depth chart. Always injured.
Wisconsin Badgers Quarterback Cole LaCrue enters Transfer Portal (https://badgerswire.usatoday.com/2024/11/21/wisconsin-badgers-quarterback-cole-lacrue-transfer-portal/)
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transfer portal is going to have record numbers
huge numbers
gonna be some good players dropping down to the MAC, Sunbelt, and FCS
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Moving this here, @LittlePig (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1540)
15. Wisconsin - lost on road to Neb. Maybe Wisc should have fired their defensive coordinater too..
You mean the guy whose defense puked up 40+ to Iowa and Nebraska?
That f'ing guy?
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I'm having grave doubts about the head coach too.
Seems like he's in over his head.
Talk a great game and recruits very well. Just can't coach.
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Rivals guy.
(https://i.imgur.com/sY3YsFJ.png)
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I'm having grave doubts about the head coach too.
Seems like he's in over his head.
Talk a great game and recruits very well. Just can't coach.
I don’t particularly believe in him either, but it this moment I don’t kind of have to. He needs to mildly write the ship next year.
I don’t know exactly what record he needs, but he needs a team that looks competent, sturdy, and feisty.
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Rivals guy.
(https://i.imgur.com/sY3YsFJ.png)
Jon is a good dude. And the money had better be talking about it.
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I don’t particularly believe in him either, but it this moment I don’t kind of have to. He needs to mildly write the ship next year.
I don’t know exactly what record he needs, but he needs a team that looks competent, sturdy, and feisty.
Lose the T.E.A.M. vest. To PJ for Wisconsin fans.
Burn the red pants.
Figure out how to win games with this in 2025:
(https://i.imgur.com/ABUYh7t.png)
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Figure out how to win games with this in 2025:
(https://i.imgur.com/ABUYh7t.png)
It's easy:
Wisconsin has likely 2025 wins against Miami (Ohio) in a close one, Middle Tennessee, and Maryland. Washington is at home, so that's a "maybe perhaps."
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https://247sports.com/Player/carter-smith-46137774/ (https://247sports.com/Player/carter-smith-46137774/)
(https://i.imgur.com/oQbcqxH.png)
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https://247sports.com/Player/carter-smith-46137774/ (https://247sports.com/Player/carter-smith-46137774/)
(https://i.imgur.com/oQbcqxH.png)
We like that. Although we are going to be a little sad when his ranking falls because he is a Wisconsin commit, not a Michigan commit.
it will be interesting to see which transfer they get to start next year.
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We like that. Although we are going to be a little sad when his ranking falls because he is a Wisconsin commit, not a Michigan commit.
it will be interesting to see which transfer they get to start next year.
Pretty sure the Michigan commit’s ranking was to the moon long before he was a Michigan commit, but this is a great get for the Badgers. Personally, I’ve always thought the conference is a better conference when the Badgers are on of the teams at the top.
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We like that. Although we are going to be a little sad when his ranking falls because he is a Wisconsin commit, not a Michigan commit.
it will be interesting to see which transfer they get to start next year.
Depends on who the OC is and if he brings a QB with him.
I'm looking at the Wazzu guy and his QB.
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Pretty sure the Michigan commit’s ranking was to the moon long before he was a Michigan commit, but this is a great get for the Badgers. Personally, I’ve always thought the conference is a better conference when the Badgers are on of the teams at the top.
We agree. ;)
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https://247sports.com/Player/carter-smith-46137774/ (https://247sports.com/Player/carter-smith-46137774/)
[img width=500 height=153.998]https://i.imgur.com/oQbcqxH.png[/img]
can he run???
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Yes, very well.
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We agree. ;)
lol. It's thanks to you and your counterparties. somewhere in the last 25 years, i started pulling for the Badgers because the Badger guys on here have seemingly always been the most reasonable of any group.
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they're not even too bad in person
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Depends on who the OC is and if he brings a QB with him.
I'm looking at the Wazzu guy and his QB.
I wonder if the coach feels comfortable with/can afford to again hire someone he has no connections with.
Unless he knows a guy on the Western Kentucky staff
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I hope he doesn't know Dana Holgorsen
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Dana won't get a chance to go up against Tressel's "defense" ever again.
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dat's fine
just want Dana in Lincoln next season
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they're not even too bad in person
wait.. what? there's actual humans behind these names?