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2009 Wisconsin Football Predictions

Written June 17, 2009 by InfoPlays

2009-Wisconsin-Football-Predictions The Badgers should build some early momentum with four straight home games, including the Big Ten opener against Michigan State. With solid quarterback play being the key, the Badgers should once again have one of the better offenses in the Big Ten. But can Wisconsin score enough points consistently to make up for a suspect defense once they face some of the better opponents in the Big Ten? Bret Bielema went 17-1 in his first 18 games as head coach, but his just 11-10 since and it doesn’t appear the Badgers can muster up anything better than a 7-6 campaign again in 2009. College football odds have the Badgers listed at +20000 to win the 2010 BCS National Championship.

Offense: Though the Wisconsin Badgers led the Big Ten in rushing last season, they still had trouble overcoming turnovers and poor QB play. Dustin Sherer, the senior starter, went 4-3 last season after replacing Allan Evridge. Redshirt freshman Curt Phillips will push Sherer, and might even take over. Bielema hasn’t ruled out the possibility of using rotating quarterbacks. Sherer offers more experience, while Phillips is the more gifted athlete. Though No. 3 career rusher at Wisconsin in P.J. Hill is gone, there is little concern at tailback with the rotation of John Clay, Zach Brown and Erik Smith. Clay is a bulldozer, Brown is reliable and Smith offers the speed.

There should be plenty of holes behind an offensive line anchored by left tackle Gabe Carimi and center John Moffit. David Gilreath, Nick Toon, Isaac Anderson and Kyle Jefferson should improve the receiving corps with their physical growth and maturity. Gilreath led the wideouts in receptions last season with 31, and he’s also a big part of the running game by rushing for 168 yards against Indiana last year on end-arounds. They have four quality tight ends on the roster, led by Garrett Graham who is the leading receiver returning in this group.

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Defense: The Badgers must shore up their poor tackling from a year ago. Wisconsin was pushed around down by the goal line, ranking 11th in the Big Ten in red zone defense. Up front, they are lacking experience, but not numbers. Senior catalyst O’Brian Schofield can be an impact pass rusher, especially if J.J. Watt, Brandon Kelly or Louis Nzegwu can apply pressure from the other edge. The question will be whether Jeff Stehle, Patrick Butrym and Dan Moore can hold up physically in the middle. Bielema is excited about Watt, a transfer from Central Michigan.

The linebackers are serviceable with Javery McFadden, the team’s leading tackler, along with Culmer St. Jean and Blake Sorensen. The safeties have been battle-tested. Jay Valai, Aubrey Pleasant, Chris Maragos and Shane Carter are interchangeable and under pressure to upgrade their level of play. The return of cornerback Aaron Henry, who sat out last season after ACL surgery, will be a bonus. Niles Brinkley should man the other corner after leading the team with four interceptions last year.

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