Today I complete my top 10 most important Wisconsin Badgers for the 2023 season list. Throughout this list, I have listed players on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. I’ve even included a coach as well. At number one to complete the list, I am going with head coach Luke Fickell. The first year coach has a lot of eyes on him as the expectation is to compete right away. A team is only as good as the individual in charge of leading them. Included is a list of numbers 2-10 as well.
- Tanner Mordecai
- Braelon Allen
- Maema Njongmeta
- Phil Longo
- Chimere Dike
- Alexander Smith
- Jack Nelson
- Clay Cundiff
- Chez Mullusi
Why Fickell
The three most important positions in football are the quarterback, the head coach, and the left tackle. It’s why I included all three on my list. I think you can go back and forth between Fickell and Tanner Mordecai on who should be one and who should be two. I would not argue which way you side because it’s likely a valid reason.
I went with Fickell because at the end of the day, this is his team and the way it runs on a daily basis and on game days are reflective on him and what he wants to do. The players do have to go out and execute and play their games, but the best coaches consistently put their players in a position to execute and play their style of football. All of this is a direct reflection of the head coach. Wisconsin fans want results in year one and it’s going to be on Fickell to deliver.
Another example I can use is former head coach Paul Chryst. I do think Chryst was a good head coach and had a successful tenure with the Badgers. However, the last year and and a half, the production on the field began to fade. Players were not executing and they were getting beat by teams they should have beaten. You can’t fire players at the college level. Someone has to fall on the sword and it’s usually the head coach.
What To Expect In 2023
Uw Football Spring Practice 5 March 25 2023
It’s a toss up between Iowa and Wisconsin as to who is favored in the Big Ten West. Me? I expect Wisconsin to come out of the Big Ten West and play in the Big Ten Championship. It’s a tall task for a first year head coach. However, I think Wisconsin has a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball and enough returning pieces on the defensive side to get them over the hump.
It’s crazy to think, but Wisconsin has not played in the Big Ten Championship since 2019. They had a chance in 2021 but lost the regular season finale at Minnesota. Iowa is so tough and so good on defense, but I think Wisconsin has the pieces on offense that gives them the edge overall.
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