Initial Thoughts On Wisconsin’s Guaranteed Rate Bowl Draw

It was released earlier this afternoon the Wisconsin Badgers are going to the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. They will take on 7-5 Oklahoma State Football out of the Big 12. The Guaranteed Rate Bowl kicks off at 9:15 PM on ESPN. Here are my initial thoughts on the Wisconsin and Oklahoma State bowl game.

Oklahoma State Is A Quality Guaranteed Rate Bowl Opponent

I did not watch any Oklahoma State football this year ahead of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. there’s probably a good chance you did not either. After starting the season 5-0, the Cowboys had a tough end to the season, losing five of their last seven. They own wins against Texas and Baylor. They also took TCU, who made the College Football Playoff, to double overtime before losing 43-40.

Ahead of this Oklahoma State bowl game, the Cowboys have lost to Kansas, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. It’s been a tough six weeks leading into the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, but the Badgers have a quality team to end the season. You always want to see that in the season finale.

How Will the Guaranteed Rate Bowl Coaching Be Distributed?

New head coach Luke Fickell indicated in his press conference Monday that he will be around the team in some capacity during the Wisconsin bowl game prep. We may see a bit of his scheme, especially on the defensive side at some point in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

In the end, I do think Jim Leonhard, who indicated he will stay on staff, will be the head coach and will lead the Badgers on December 27. We shouldn’t see much difference in terms of scheme and setup. Despite potentially a few wrinkles of coach Fickell, this is Jim Leonhard’s team for this game.

A Huge Game For Young Players

It’s impossible to predict who will play in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Players on both sides might sit out for draft preparation. Also, some players might hit the transfer, especially on the Wisconsin side. However, this ist ime for young players to show both Leonhard and Fickell what they can bring to the table.

Last year in the Vegas Bowl, we saw Jordan Turner and Skyler Bell come out as young players have solid showings. Today, Turner is one of Wisconsin’s best inside linebackers. Bell, on the other, side, is one of Wisconsin’s best young offensive weapons. A game like this Guaranteed Rate Bowl is everything to a young player. That alone is exciting to watch.

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