WISCONSIN BADGERS
2013 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 8
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Montee Ball-RB, Curt Phillips-QB, Rick Wagner-OT, Travis Frederick-C (NFL)
DEFENSE: Brendan Kelly-DE, Mike Taylor-LB, Marcus Cromartie-CB, Devin Smith-CB, Shelton Johnson-SS, David Gilbert-DE (transferred)
TE Jacob Pedersen
Receiver / Defensive Front

Every single pass catcher returns. Passing isn't the Wisconsin forte but when they need it receiver Abbrederis and tight end Pedersen are first class. The defensive front seven was stout in 2012, a good formula for the Big Ten...they will be even more stout next season.

Secondary / Quarterback

Three full-time starters need replaced in this secondary. This is the only unit that has a major turnover. Securing this backfield will be a priority in the off-season. The passing numbers aren't pretty (111th nationally) , but that had to be expected with two rookie signal callers starting out the season. Just how far along the learning curve have these quarterbacks traveled?

LB Chris Borland
 
WISCONSIN 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Joel Stave-So (6-5, 227) Tanner McEvoy-So (6-6, 215)
FB Derek Watt-So (6-2, 230) Derek Straus-So (6-0, 234)
RB James White-Sr (5-10, 197) Melvin Gordon-So (6-1, 203)
WR Jared Abbrederis-Sr (6-2, 188) Reggie Love-So (6-3, 209)
WR Jordan Fredrick-So (6-3, 210) Kenzel Doe-Jr (5-8, 171) / Jeff Duckworth-Sr (6-0, 206)
TE Jacob Pedersen-Sr (6-4, 241) ..
TE Brian Wozniak-Sr (6-4, 257) Sam Arneson-Jr (6-4, 255)
OT Ryan Groy-Sr (6-5, 317) Tyler Marz-So (6-7, 318)
OG Dallas Lewallen-Jr (6-6, 318) Ray Ball-So (6-7, 327)
C Dan Voltz-RFr (6-4, 310) Chris Gill-Sr (6-4, 295)
OG Kyle Costigan-Jr (6-4, 304) Zac Matthias-Sr (6-5, 323)
OT Rob Havenstein-Jr (6-8, 338) Riki Kodanko-Jr (6-9, 332)
K Kyle French-Jr (6-1, 199) Jack Russell-So (6-0, 172)
 
WISCONSIN 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Pat Muldoon-Sr (6-3, 258) Konrad Zagzebski-Jr (6-3, 271)
NT Beau Allen-Sr (6-3, 333) Warren Herring-Jr (6-3, 286)
DE Pat Muldoon-Sr Tyler Dippel-Sr
OLB Brendan Kelly-Sr (6-6, 250) Tyler Dippel-Sr (6-4, 267)
ILB Ethan Armstrong-Sr (6-2, 216) Derek Landisch-Jr (5-11, 227)
ILB Chris Borland-Sr (5-11, 248) Conor O'Neill-Sr (6-0, 222)
OLB Vince Biegel-RFr (6-3, 230) Nick Hill-Sr (6-2, 222)
CB Peniel Jean-Jr (5-11, 188) Hugs Etienne-RFr (5-11, 175)
CB Darius Hillary-So (5-11, 187) Sojourn Shelton-Fr (5-9, 162)
SS Michael Trotter-Jr (6-0, 210) Michael Caputo-So (6-1, 198)
FS Dezmen Southward-Sr (6-2, 214) Kyle Zuleger-Sr (5-11, 188)
P Drew Meyer-Jr (6-2, 182) Brett Nethery-RFr (6-2, 195)
 
QUICK TAKES

 

  • The Badgers will need to continue to emphasize the running game while the passing game slowly grows. Joel Stave was able to wrestle away top quarterback honors as a freshman but still doesn't offer much of a threat in this lagging aerial attack. Every single one of his receivers will be welcomed back. The passing game won't be so brutally difficult in 2013. Look for it to get much better.
  • Not sure how Wisconsin does it but the running game with a top tier back(s) continues to thrive. Out with Doak Walker Award Winner Montee Ball, in with senior James White. Anyone that believes there will be much of a drop-off would be mistaken. Melvin Gordon will also keep the quality depth factor rolling.
  • The worth of receiver Jared Abberderis cannot be understated as he can stretch a defense with long or short routes. This is a better offense with his play-making ability. Keeping him healthy will be an important factor in the growth of this offense. Tight end Jacob Peterson is considered by many to be the best tight end in the Big Ten. At least that is the way the league coaches voted it with the post-season awards.
  • The ability to contain the opponent's ground game is what keeps the Badgers in victory lane. Wisconsin limited Ohio State to a season-low 139 yards rushing, Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell to only 77 yards and kept Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez in check while winning the Big Ten Championship Game. The loss of Mike Taylor at linebacker will sting but the jest of this front seven will remain in tact including linebackers Chris Borland and Ethan Armstrong. These linebackers are an experienced and talented group.
  • It will be difficult to duplicate the same success this defensive backfield had in 2012 with three full-time starters gone. This will be an interesting question mark to address in the spring and will go a long way in determining the 2013 outlook.
  • Wisconsin fought through a season of injuries and growing pains to get back to Pasadena. Albeit Ohio State was not available, but this feat will carry this team into 2013 with a great deal of promises. The rookie quarterback situation will be better with the experience, the receivers and tight ends are stellar, James White is no drop-off at running back and the defense's ability to stuff the run make this a typical Wisconsin power team capable of winning the Big Ten even with Ohio State eligible.

 

WISCONSIN 2013 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 - Massachusetts
Sept. 7 - Tennessee Tech
Sept. 14 - at Arizona State
Sept. 21 - Purdue
Sept. 28 - at Ohio State
Oct. 12 - Northwestern
Oct. 19 - at Illinois
Nov. 2 - at Iowa
Nov. 9 - Brigham Young
Nov. 16 - Indiana
Nov. 23 - at Minnesota
Nov. 30 - Penn State