Wisconsin Badgers 2017 Football Preview

Based solely on the results of the last two seasons, it’s clear that Wisconsin has fared the best of the four schools (Nebraska, Oregon State, Wisconsin and Pitt) that played head coach musical chairs in December 2014. Even though Wisconsin was the third team in the rotation of that cycle, the Badgers have the best record (21-6) and the only team with hardware (2016 Big Ten West champions).

Offensively, Wisconsin just keeps doing things the Wisconsin way: big physical offensive linemen grading the road for powerful running backs, who are supplemented by competent quarterbacks who are efficient at throwing the ball. Well, at least it was until Melvin Gordon (408) ran out of eligibility. Injuries limited Corey Clement the last two seasons, but now he too is gone. Sophomore Bradrick Shaw (6’1” 208 lbs.) rushed for 457 yards and five touchdowns last season, averaging 5.2 yards a carry as a freshman. But the guy to keep an eye on this season is junior transfer Chris James (5’10” 216 lbs.). In two seasons at Pitt, James rushed for 690 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He impressed in spring practices with his all-around skill set running, catching and blocking. So much so that the coaches decided that they didn’t need to see much from him in the spring game…so the public will just have to wait and see if he’s as good as advertised.

Also held out of the spring game was sophomore quarterback Alex Hornibrook (6’4” 213 lbs.) Hornibrook started nine games, though ended up splitting time most of the season with Bart Houston. Houston’s out of eligibility, leaving Hornibrook as the default starter. Houston put up better numbers than Hornibrook (58.6% completion percentage, nine touchdowns, seven interceptions with a 125.8 quarterback rating for the freshman). True freshman Jack Coan (6’3” 199 lbs.) enrolled in January and played well in the spring game (10-17, 121 yards, one touchdown, one interception); ideally, Wisconsin would like to redshirt Coan. If so, then redshirt freshman Kare Lyles (6’0” 224 lbs.) might get the call unless Hornibrook suffers some sort of injury. Lyles struggled in the spring game (2-6, 15 yards), so Lyles might only be used in mop-up roles in 2017.

Wisconsin’s receiving corps will never put up huge numbers, but the 2017 group should perform better the average group of Badgers. Senior Jazz Peavy (6’0” 185 lbs.) lead last year with 43 catches for 635 yards and five touchdowns, but this season, it might be senior tight end Troy Fumagalli (6’6” 249 lbs.) who might put up the big numbers. He caught 47 passes for 580 yards and two touchdowns in 2016, which doubled his numbers from his first two seasons. He’s a serious candidate for the Mackey Award for the best tight end in college football.