Three years ago Bret Bielema took over the Badger's head coach position and led the team to 12-1 season including a Citrus Bowl victory against Arkansas and finished in the top 10 in both the AP and USA Today polls. Since then, the program has been in a decline. In 2007 Wisconsin finished with a record of 9-4, and last year 7-6. Some are calling for Bielema's head, and with the latest recruiting violations his seat has definitely heated up.
In 2008 Wisconsin started the season off strong winning its first 3 games, including a win at Fresno State. But after a close loss to a bad Michigan team and another close loss to Ohio State, Wisconsin went on to get dismantled by Penn State and then Iowa. Wisconsin recovered winning 4 of its next 5, but then got stomped by Florida State in Champs Sports Bowl. With that said, the season was just a few plays away from being really good as 3 of their 6 losses came by 3 points or less.
Offense: Key Returning Players
Wisconsin had the 14th best rushing offense in the country last year and average just under 400 yards per game in total offense. The Badgers have a good running back in John Clay who split time last year with P.J. Hill. Clay rushed for 884 yards and 9 touchdowns. Also returning is QB Dustin Sheerer, who started the final 7 games last year and threw for 1389 yards. Sheerer is not a lock at starter however, as he is pushed by Scott Tolzien and Curt Phillips. One of the stars of the offense last year was TE Garrett Graham. Graham had 40 catches for 540 yards and 5 touchdowns, all team leading stats. The Badgers also have 2 linemen, Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt, with a combined 42 starts and 3 receivers, Kyle Jefferson, David Gilreath, and Isaac Anderson, with starting experience. Gilreath was the team's second leading receiver with 520 yards and handled the punt and kickoff returns.
Offense: Key Losses
The Badgers lose 5 starters on offense and 3 are linemen. Kraig Urbik was select in the 3rd round of the NFL draft and will leave a whole at right guard. Also gone is LG Andy Kemp and RT Eric Vanden Heuvel. Another loss is P.J. Hill who declared for the NFL after his junior year, but did not get drafted. Hill was the Badgers' leading rusher last year.
Defense: Key Returning Players
The defense only returns 5 starters and most of the experience comes in the secondary. The Badgers return CB Niles Brinkley, and 3 safeties with experience, Jay Valai, Chris Maragos, and Chris Maragos. Also returning is leading tackler LB Jaevery McFadden who had 84 tackles in 2008.
Defense: Key Losses
Wisconsin must replace 3 defensive linemen. RT Mike Newkirk had 59 tackles including 9 for loss in 2008 and at RE Matt Shaughnessy had 4 sacks. The 3rd lineman leaving is LT Jason Chapman. Also leaving are both outside linebackers, DeAndre Levy who was second on the team with 73 tackles and first with 9.5 tackles for loss, and Jonathan Casillas who had 62 in 2008.
For more information on Wisconsin check out the spring prospectus.