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His Badgers may have lost an exciting shootout BCS game to the Oregon Ducks, but Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson literally just completed the best season of quarterbacking in college football history. He entered the 98th Rose Bowl game with a passer rating of 191.6.
His performance today yielded a 193.9, giving him a 191.78 for the 2011 season.
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Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson will enter the 98th Rose Bowl game with a passer rating of 191.6.
I bring this up because Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III just finished the 2011 season (including the wild Alamo Bowl win) with a pass efficiency of 189.5, which broke the FBS (previously known as college football Division-1A) single season record formerly held by Hawaii’s Colt Brennan.
I think we can officially call this the year of quarterbacking statistics.
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In Wisconsin they produce offensive linemen like they produce cheese. Former Badger Joe Thomas is a franchise LT for the Cleveland Browns, and three Badgers alums play tight end in the NFL (Travis Beckum, Lance Kendricks and Garrett Graham)
Even though they lost Gabe Carimi (now with Chicago Bears) and John Moffitt (Seattle Seahawks) on the left side, not to mention a backup lineman Bill Nagy (Dallas Cowboys) and their tight end the Badgers breed the big boys up front like the show Family Guy breeds ’80s jokes. They’re a NFL OL factory in Madison.
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Last year, sports fans in America’s Dairyland probably thought things were as good as they could possibly get. But 2011 is looking a whole ‘nother level can be reached. You have the #5 Badgers at 5-0, the reigning Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers as one of the NFL’s two undefeated teams (the Detroit Lions are the other), and the Milwaukee Brewers about to eliminate the Arizona Diamondbacks in their NLDS series.
Sure, the Bucks are still a train wreck, but the NBA is on lockout, so we won’t really see that.
Yes, there’s something in the water right now; and the state is half-bordered by great lakes.
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Since Ron Zook took over at Illinois (2005), the top two rushing teams in the Big Ten have been Illinois and Wisconsin. It will surprise you, but the leagues top rushing team is the Illini, while the Badgers are second. Another surprising fact: the two schools are tied for 5th most players on current NFL rosters among Big Ten teams.
This season is very young, but so far if you look at the Leaders division, two teams stand out from the rest.
Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two squads in that division nationally ranked, meaning their game on 11/19, the second to last of the regular season, will be huge for deciding who goes to the inaugural Big Ten championship game.
Once again, both teams are doing it on the ground.
For part one of this series, on Wisconsin- go here.
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Since Ron Zook took over at Illinois (2005), the top two rushing teams in the Big Ten have been Illinois and Wisconsin. It will surprise you, but the leagues top rushing team is the Illini, while the Badgers are second. Another surprising fact: the two schools are tied for 5th most players on current NFL rosters among Big Ten teams.
This season is very young, but so far if you look at the Leaders division, two teams stand out from the rest.
Illinois and Wisconsin are the only two squads in that division nationally ranked, meaning their game on 11/19, the second to last of the regular season, will be huge for deciding who goes to the inaugural Big Ten championship game.
Once again, both teams are doing it on the ground.
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After watching Alabama handle San Jose State 48-3 last week and seeing the Badgers beat UNLV 41-21 in Las Vegas, many thought this game would be a similar blow-out. Instead, the Badgers just couldn’t seem to open up their lead, leaving San Jose State hanging around until the end of the game. The Badgers were able to win 27-14, but it certainly was not pretty.
Just like last week, the Badger offense marched down the field on their first drive for a one-yard touchdown by RB John Clay. The touchdown run capped off a 10 play, 77-yard drive. Opening drives have not been a problem for the Badgers, as they have now scored on every opening drive this season. However, it is finishing that seems to be their problem.
By: Justin Mertes-Mistretta
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By Paul Schmidt and thesportsbank.net staff
This is almost like a holiday for many people, and doubles as the day that some people work the hardest.
I’m speaking, of course, of National Signing Day, when those football players who waffle all season long finally make a decision (or, as in the case of Terelle Pryor a couple of seasons ago, delay the inevitable for several days after signing day). Many schools will be disappointed after their teams lose commitments from players that they thought were in the bag, but hey, unlike basketball, this just happens in football. You go steal someone else’s recruit and move on.
All day, I will be updating news and signings from ALL of the Big Ten’s teams, so check back here throughout the day for any new news.
Also, I should have some quotes from Ron Zook’s press conference later this afternoon, plus whatever goodies might come our way!
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By Jake McCormick
Indiana is the only team ranked lower than Wisconsin in the 2010 Big 10 football recruiting rankings. Despite what Bret Bielema might say about the current class, it should not be expected to be anything other than decent for a team that will start the season ranked (around) 10th in the nation.
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By Jake McCormick
During my college graduation commencement in May, the UW-Eau Claire chancellor reminded the soon-to-be-unemployed with stars in their eyes that in light of the swine flu epidemic, a bottle of hand sanitizer and paper towels would be available before doing the Walk. Of the 4,000 or so students, only three took this glorious opportunity. I, on the other hand, figured that if I was going to get germ-free goop on my hands, I might as well coat them like a kid getting Slimed on Nickelodeon in the 90s and vicariously share some with the chancellor during our handshake.
I ultimately decided against this last hurrah of college, reasoning that it wouldn’t be worth the potential backlash to cover the chancellor’s hand in sticky, translucent goo. Plus I had already had a sexual innuendo moment with the guy during the ribbon cutting ceremony at our campus newspaper’s new office. As we stood with scissors in hand, he asked which part of the ribbon I wanted to cut, to which I responded, “You go on top.” I thought it was a nice way to go out.
I’m sure you’re asking what this has to do with the Wisconsin Badgers’ 34-31 double-overtime victory over Fresno State last Saturday. Well, unlike my situation, the hand sanitizer played a part in saving the game for the Badgers, as did copious amounts of bile and daily vomiting. Roughly 40 players, including starting quarterback Scott Tolzien and starting cornerback Aaron Henry, experienced swine flu-like symptoms throughout the week leading up to the game. Senior safety Chris Maragos, who again played the hero with an interception in the end zone during Fresno State’s second overtime possession, said he basically holstered hand sanitizer anytime he touched a doorknob. Other players said the collective sickness was a bonding experience, and given the way the team rallied late against a fast Bulldog team, they came out of the epidemic stronger and more confident. I’ll probably be the only one to say this, ever, but thank god for swine flu.
The fact that a team such as Wisconsin, who is still trying to figure out how good they really are, can come out of a team-wide bout of a national influenza epidemic and survive their biggest test in double-overtime before the Big Ten season begins has to mean something good. But then again, this is Wisconsin we’re talking about, so we’ll just have to wait and see if the Badgers go Donnie Darko on their season.
Last week’s questions:
How long will Bielema try the Curt Phillips Experience?
Apparently not when games are close, as Phillips didn’t even smell the Camp Randall turf on Saturday. But Tolzien turned in another solid performance by going 17-28 for 225 yards and a touchdown. I think Bielema realizes that stability at that position will be a big factor throughout the Big Ten season, and as long as Tolzien is playing at a consistent level and still runs ice through his veins, the offense will continue to put points on the board.
How will the offense perform under Tolzien against a much faster and more experienced defense?
The Badger offense had no turnovers and racked up 413 yards in a much more balanced fashion than against Northern Illinois. Passing yards accounted for most of that number (225 to 188), but that will happen when a defense can’t stop anybody until the fourth quarter. They were a lot more even-handed against the Bulldogs, and limiting mistakes will always put your team in a position to win. However, going 5-13 on third down isn’t the best way to help a Badger defense that still had to rely on big plays to bail them out of long drives.
With an offensive line that averages 6’6” 324 lbs going against a defensive line that averages 6’3” 265 lbs, can Wisconsin finally ride the Boring Ball wagon to victory on the backs of Brown and/or Clay?
I wouldn’t say “Brown Clay” carried the team or the line dominated by any means, but Clay’s 72 yard run in the fourth quarter with 5:45 left was the play of the game until the Maragos interception. The overall running game needs to get better overall, and a lot of that starts with the return of junior center John Moffitt, who has been sidelined with a pectoral muscle injury. Two freshmen, Travis Frederick and Peter Konz, played well in his place, but Moffitt is clearly the best option at center. They need the line at full strength as soon as possible.
Can the special teams rebound, especially Lou Groza finalist Philip Welch?
The only Wisconsin highlights of the first half centered around special teams. Wide receiver David Gilreath pulled off kick returns of 35 and 38 yards, and Welch smoked a 57-yard field goal to end the half. That kick, as well as the game-winner in overtime, should be enough to help him regain some confidence and give Bielema a rare opportunity to score points regularly outside of the 30-yard line. Overall, it was a much needed improvement as a whole unit.
Given the Badgers inconsistencies and previous failures against option offenses, Wofford isn’t likely to lay down and take a beating. I really don’t know what to expect from them other than the triple option I run in NCAA Football 2010, so let’s hope they don’t need a Cal Poly-like blunder for a win.
Can Wisconsin stop Wofford’s triple option, which is very similar to the offense run by Cal Poly in the 2008 season finale?
If not, will I be able to consume enough alcohol to fathom a defeat at the hands of an FCS opponent the game before the Big Ten season starts?
Which defensive line pass rush will we see: the one that pressured NIU all day or the cupcake baking they did against Fresno?
Senior O’Brien Schofield had a career game against the Bulldogs, but he can’t be asked to do everything. Their success depends on sophomore JJ Watt’s recovery from the flu.
How will John Clay perform in his first career start?
Will he pull a Nelson from The Simpsons and try to knock over every player on his way to the goal line by holding one of his teammates as a shield?
This Badger team proved it could handle unusual circumstances off the field, but will there be a hangover effect against a lesser opponent?
If there is, can they call the Minnesota Vikings and get whatever they put in Adrian Peterson’s IV drip?
Here he comes...the Bieldozer!!!
By Jake McCormick
Breathe a little easier, Badger fans. We won our NCAA-leading 12th straight season opener. We may have found a quarterback that can actually throw, a slew of underrated receivers with almost every skill set covered, and a defense that has already matched half of last year’s total for sacks and tackles for loss. A 28-20 victory over Northern Illinois isn’t exactly the same as beating Ohio State, but a lot of preseason questions were answered throughout the game. Here are just a few:
How will Scott Tolzien do in his debut?
“Who the hell is Scott Tolzien?” Well apparently he’s accurate, puts a little muscle behind his passes, and is confident enough to hit his receivers in stride for an 80-yard touchdown on the first offensive play of 2009. Tolzien’s teammates said he was in emotional purgatory with his nerves, and his 15-20, 257 yards and 1 TD were the end result. For a Badger quarterback, those are good numbers, and with the receivers he has he shouldn’t have any problems finding a good target to throw to on any down. Now we have to wait and see if he can limit his mistakes and throw up similar stats against a much better Fresno State team that is returning nine defensive starters from 2008.
How will Zack Brown and John Clay be utilized?
They received almost an identical number of carries, with Brown getting 15 and Clay grabbing the rock 14 times. They are definitely a good compliment to each other, with Brown flashing a bit more speed and Clay trying to bulldoze defenders. However, neither player stood out against a less than stellar defense, but some of that can be attributed to the lack of a full strength offensive line. I don’t put much weight into Clay’s touchdowns either, because they came in stereotypical Badger fashion: a long drive complete with a few good passing plays, then the running game takes over inside the 10 yard line. The running game’s success will come with time, but one of these players needs to stand out as a frontline starter if Wisconsin is going to notch any quality wins in the Big Ten Conference.
Will anyone step up as a defensive playmaker other th
an the obvious seniors?
Yes, and I would like to introduce Badger Nation to sophomore defensive end JJ Watt and freshman linebacker Mike Taylor. Both players lit a match under the defense by putting pressure on the Northern Illinois quarterback and coming up with some big stops behind the line of scrimmage. Wisconsin was so abysmal at making tackles for loss last year that I swear Bielema had them playing that kid game where the backfield is lava and if you go past the line of scrimmage you “die.” These two didn’t get that memo, and along with seniors Jaevery McFadden, O’Brien Schofield, and Chris Maragos, the defense gained some confidence in its abilities to stop teams late in the fourth quarter and create impact plays.
Can the defense perform at a high level until the clock reads triple zeros?
This is a question going into the Fresno State game as well, because Wisconsin held a 28-6 lead going into the fourth quarter and allowed NIU to reduce the deficit to eight before Maragos batted down a fourth down pass to solidify the win for Wisconsin. After the game, almost all the Badger defensive starters said they came into the huddle on that series, looked at each other, and just knew they would make the stop. That’s the kind of confidence that was lacking last year, and should be something to build off of heading into a game where their opponent returns eight offensive starters.
Questions for Wisconsin vs. Fresno State:
How long will Bielema try the Curt Phillips Experience?
In 2000, Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez decided to substitute a redshirt freshman at quarterback against Ohio State trailing by 20, reasoning that he had been getting his feet wet for a few weeks and the team really had nothing to lose by doing so. The end result was a 42-20 Badger win, and the rest is history. The quarterback’s name was Brooks Bollinger. I’m not saying Phillips will make that dramatic of a debut, but it will be interesting to see how beneficial this “platoon” will be to his development and if Tolzien gets hurt or starts playing like Allan Evridge.
How will the offense perform under Tolzien against a much faster and more experienced defense?
Fresno State’s defense is quick and aggressive, which should allow Tolzien to get some good downfield looks from his receivers. Fresno State is a good team and will give the Badger playmakers their best test before Big Ten season rolls around.
With an offensive line that averages 6’6” 324 lbs going against a defensive line that averages 6’3” 265 lbs, can Wisconsin finally ride the Boring Ball wagon to victory on the backs of Brown and/or Clay?
If I’m sleeping through the game and they’re winning, you’ll know right away why.
Can the special teams rebound, especially Lou Groza finalist Philip Welch?
An NIU-recovered onside kick led to a Huskie score. Two Philip Welch field goals missed their mark, granted one was from beyond 50 yards. The return game didn’t show any flashes of Nick Davis, Jim Leonhard, or Brandon Williams. Special teams are often overlooked, but the Badgers need to improve this aspect the most if they want to win tight games. Welch should return to 2008 form quickly, but the return game needs to do some work of its own.
Fresno State is a good team and shouldn’t be taken lightly. The key to the game may not even be within the 60-minute time frame; a recent report said as many as 25 Badger players may have swine flu symptoms. The program has been hush about it, but Bielema didn’t let his players talk to the media yesterday after practice. Time will tell what is really going to happen, but if that many players are kept out (and possibly more), the implications nationally are a lot bigger than just one Wisconsin game.
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