2012-13 Football Previews – (Big 10) – Wisconsin Badgers
Ohio State and Michigan might have the most tradition in the Big Ten conference, but no one has been better in the last few years than the Wisconsin Badgers. If you were to pick a team that has been the most consistent at the top of the heap in this conference of late, you’d have to select Wisconsin. Michigan and Ohio State are gaining steam with great new coaches. Can Wisconsin stay on top?
Big 10 Conference 2012-2013 College Football Previews: Wisconsin Badgers
Head Coach: Bret Bielema
2011 Record 11-3
Wisconsin Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS Championship: +6,000
Wisconsin Gambling Odds from JustBet to win Big 10 Conference: +100
Wisconsin Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
Wisconsin has the highest Heisman Trophy returnee from 2011 in running back Montee Ball. Bielema and the staff once again brought in a veteran quarterback who appears ready to lead this team. The team has lost their offensive coordinator for the second year in row, but that is a sign of great success. The oddsmakers have Wisconsin pegged as a heavy favorite to win the Big Ten. Let’s take a look at this Badgers team.
Team Strengths:
There isn’t a team in the country with a better backfield of running backs than Wisconsin. Montee Ball is one of the Heisman favorites heading into this season, and he deserves to be. Ball has 15 100-yard rushing games in his last 19 starts. Amazingly, Ball had at least two touchdowns in every single game last year except the Rose Bowl. He is as productive as you will find. James White would start for almost every team in the nation. White is a speedster who provides a great change of pace. Expect White to put up big numbers this year as well.
Chris Borland leads a tremendous group of linebackers for the Badgers. Borland finished with 143 tackles and was a consensus first-team All-American in 2011. Weak-side linebacker Mike Taylor led the team and the entire Big Ten with 150 tackles a year ago. Ethan Armstrong appears ready to step in and be a force right away as well. This is the best linebacking group in the Big Ten.
The offensive line lost a lot of talent, but I have seen this team enough years to know they’ll still dominate across the front line. Wisconsin is better at getting guys to block along the offensive front than any other team in the nation. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Team Weaknesses:
Nick Toon was clearly the Badgers best receiver last year, and they’ll miss him. The Badgers don’t have much experience on the outside, so they’ll have to find someone to step up and provide this team with some options to stretch the defense.
Ethan Hemer is the only returning starter along the defensive line. Wisconsin has a great group of linebackers, but they’ll need the front line to be solid so the linebackers can do their work. The Badgers have quite a few big guys to fill these spots, but their lack of experience is definitely concerning.
2012-2013 Wisconsin Badgers Football Prediction: 12-2
Wisconsin might not be any better than they were last year, but they do have a more favorable schedule. The Badgers get Ohio State and Michigan State both at home. They avoid Michigan on this year’s Big Ten schedule. Wisconsin’s biggest road test will come in their first Big Ten game at Nebraska on September 29. The Badgers have the most complete team in the conference, and I think they will take care of business yet again. Look for Wisconsin to finish the season on top of the Big Ten.
2012 Wisconsin Schedule
9/1/12 3:30 PM ET NIOWA
9/8/12 TBD @OREST
9/15/12 8:00 PM ET UTAST
9/22/12 TBD UTEP
9/29/12 8:00 PM ET @NEB
10/6/12 3:30 PM ET ILL
10/13/12 TBD @PURD
10/20/12 TBD MINN
10/27/12 3:30 PM ET MCHST
11/10/12 TBD @IND
11/17/12 TBD OHIST
11/24/12 TBD @PENST
