Wisconsin has been a model of consistency for nearly 3 decades now. Since 1991 the badgers have had only FOUR losing seasons, the last one coming in 2001. During that time span they are a respectable 16-10 in bowl games. However as a Badger fan, do you ever go into a season with genuine National Championship aspirations?
Appreciate premium @xosdigital client @BadgerFootball having me by for @rosebowlgame practice.
In the last decade, #Wisconsin is 6th in wins & 12th in producing pros in the country.
They’ve been a model of high consistency for the last 25 years & 1 of America’s best programs. pic.twitter.com/OR67gUWc7W
— RyanBartow (@RyanBartow) December 28, 2019
Make the QB a priority.
It is unfortunate that Russell Wilson’s efforts did not put Wisconsin on the map for QBs. In his loan season at Wisconsin he; was named third-team All-American by Yahoo Sports and Phil Steele, honorable mention All-American by SI.com, finalist for the Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, semifinalist for Davey O’Brien Award and Maxwell Award, winner of the Grese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the year, consensus first-team All-Big Ten, named Jimmy Demetral Team MVP, and invited to Senior Bowl and NFL scouting combine. In just one season the Badgers won the Big Ten that year but ultimately lost the Rose Bowl.
Either way that year was a small example of what Wisconsin can be with a running game and a great QB. I am confident that Wisconsin would have had National Championship aspirations if Russell Wilson was there 2-3 years.
Fast forward after 2011 and Wisconsin had a number of forgettable QBs. Joel Stave, Bart Houston, Alex Hornibrook (who actually finished with a 22-4 overall record at Wisconsin, but transferred to FSU and lost the QB job to their backup), and remember when we tried Tanner McEvoy at QB? The guy that played WR for the Seahawks in the NFL for part of one season? That was fun. Jack Coan showed promise and Wisconsin let him walk, now he is slinging dimes for Norte Dame. We are not going to sit here and point the finger at Wisconsin for letting Coan walk because much of Badger Nation (us too) was all aboard the Mertz train.
It is unfortunate how that whole scenario played out, however it just emphasizes what Wisconsin’s priorities should include. If you are ever going to compete with Ohio State in the Big Ten, you need to get a Quarterback.
Beef up the WRs classes:
Wide receivers will come in flocks Once Wisconsin has an established Quarterback resume. Those two positions go hand-in-hand in the recruiting world, all it takes is consecutive seasons of high caliber QB play. In the meantime getting speed and size on the outside will do wonders for not only the passing game but also the run game. Quintez Cephus Is a great example of what this type of WR can do in this offense. His last year at Wisconsin he finished with 59 receptions, 901 yards, and 7 TDs.
JACK COAN TO QUINTEZ CEPHUS!
Wisconsin QB connects with Cephus for a 47 yard strike! Wisconsin leads 17-7 over the Gophers!#OnWisconsin #WISCVSMINN pic.twitter.com/c3IcTnl2OU— Cold Blooded Sports (@ColdBloodedChat) November 30, 2019
Don’t change Wisconsin’s philosophy
We are not saying that Wisconsin needs to change who they are. We are RBU and OLU for a reason. Elite defenses and offensive lines have laid the foundation for who we are today. Ground and pound and wear the defense out, that is how Wisconsin’s offense wins football games. However, imagine that ground and pound offense with an effective play action pass every so often. Imagine an offense that doesn’t feel it’s impossible to convert a third and long. Wisconsin’s offense is LITERALLY a dream scenario for any Quarterback. Play action is there, the running game is there, a stout defense is there, and consistent hi-caliber TE play is there. You can’t dream up a better offense than that, you just need a Quarterback to put it all together.
Take a serious look at how Wisconsin recruits QBs and National Championships won’t seem so far fetched.
Wisconsin-Michigan State B1G title game was on FS1 the other night; DVR’ed and watching now. So many good players in this game. Russell Wilson, James White, Kirk Cousins, Le’Veon Bell. Look at this play from Russ. pic.twitter.com/2tmDBwzueC
— Ryan Glasspiegel (@sportsrapport) March 20, 2020
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