After a long offseason, spring football, and fall camp, Wisconsin football returns tomorrow night. The Badgers will take on Western Michigan out of the MAC. After a 7-6 year in the first season under head coach Luke Fickell, this Wisconsin football team will look to start 2024 faster and be more consistent. In comes a Western Michigan team that went 4-8 last year. Kickoff is 8 PM CST on FS1. Here is a preview of tomorrow night’s game.
A Look at a New Wisconsin Football Front Seven
Fickell and the Wisconsin football staff were very aggressive in the transfer portal at defensive line and linebacker. Last year, it was a group that generated on average about two sacks a game. It was simply not good enough and they did something about it.
Veterans such as Jaheim Thomas, Leon Lowry, and John Pius will make their Wisconsin football debuts tomorrow and should see a ton of reps. Add in Darryl Peterson and Jake Chaney from last year’s group and that is at least five solid linebackers.
With the loss of James Thompson Jr likely for the season, newcomers such as Elijah Hills and Brandon Lane could see their fair share of reps too. Veterans Curt Neal and Ben Barten will have to set the tone early. If this is a group that can attack the Broncos offense early, it should be a good day.
Make Life Easy for Tyler Van Dyke
Last season when Wisconsin football opened the year against Buffalo, Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo did not put a ton of Tanner Mordecai. Instead, they decided to let a veteran offensive line and running back group establish the tempo and slowly ease the passing game in as the game went along.
On the other hand, Tyler Van Dyke is an established veteran coming out of the ACC. Playing in a power five program is not new to him. Add in another veteran offensive line and wide receiver groups this year and you have a potential potent offense right away. I don’t think Longo and Fickell will throw everything at Van Dyke, but this offense does have to establish the run early.
Prediction
Like myself and a ton of fellow Wisconsin football fans, last year was a good learning lesson. It takes time to build a program and culture with a new head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator. You saw the flashes all year, but the consistency was never there. I thought the Badgers would blow out Buffalo. Instead, that was very much a game for two and a half quarters.
I will say I feel better about this opening game. Western Michigan has three new coordinators. While they return a ton of production on offense including the quarterback, running back, and top pass catchers, this is a more veteran Wisconsin football team this year than last year.
These opening games can be slow starting for a home team, but as long as the Badgers take care of the ball and do the fundamentals, I don’t see this being a game. On paper, Wisconsin is much better at just about every position. I expect the running game to be there early and for the defense to generate pressure from the start. This could be a slow first quarter or so, but I think once the Badgers get into the rhythm, this won’t be much of a game in the second half. I’ll take a 1-0 start for Wisconsin football tomorrow night.
Wisconsin 38 Western Michigan 13
Follow me on Twitter @DylanBuboltz and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
