SPORTS
Keys to Badgers’ football success
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Also by Derek Zetlin:
- Injured starters give chance to reserves (April 7, 2008)
- Receiver spots wide open (April 3, 2008)
- Fans can't forget life before Curry (April 2, 2008)
- Big men on campus (March 26, 2008)
Related Stories:
- Badgers make Football News' preseason top 25 (July 17, 2001)
- Men's crew ready for lake to defrost (April 4, 2008)
- Track and field: another touchdown for dual athletes (May 6, 2004)
- Rowers ready to roll against Michigan (April 7, 2006)
- Gridiron Badgers moonlighting as track standouts (January 26, 2005)
by Derek Zetlin
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Spring is in the air. The brutal Wisconsin winter has subsided, the ice on Lake Mendota has begun to melt, March Madness has come to an end, and outdoor football season is now underway.
Yup, I said football. That wasn’t a typo.
America’s pastime is now just over two weeks old as well, but here in Madison — where we have no baseball team to get excited about — it’s the gridiron gang that dominates the spring, post-basketball season.
Saturday, the Badgers practiced on the Camp Randall field for the first time since the 2007 campaign. It was loud, and the players were excited to be back in their holy place; there was energy in the stadium despite the thousands of empty seats. And as I lay back on an empty bench behind me in the stands, sunglasses on in 60-plus degrees of pure paradise, my mind began to wander, and I began to ponder: What needs to happen for this football team to succeed next season?
Here’s what I came up with (in no particular order):
Evridge must minimize mistakes
It goes without saying that to win football games, all quarterbacks must take care of the ball and limit turnovers. But because the Wisconsin offense has a run-first mentality (and rightfully so), a lack of turnovers becomes even more crucial.
In back-to-back road losses against Illinois and Penn State last season, quarterback Tyler Donovan threw for a combined four interceptions (two and two). That was no coincidence. Turnovers, especially on the road in the Big Ten, will be lethal for this team because they don’t have enough firepower on offense to overcome such blunders.
Evridge must take care of the football.
New kickers must step up
The kicking game is often an overlooked aspect of football. But a good punter (like Ken DeBauche) and a clutch kicker (like Taylor Mehlhaff) are essential to success on the football field. Field position can provide a huge advantage throughout the course of a game; a poor punter puts a ton of pressure on a team’s defense. Kickoffs — Mehlhaff’s specialty — are also pivotal in the field position game, and obviously late-game field goals can make or break a season.
After the loss of both Mehlhaff and DeBauche, the sense of nostalgia can be subdued if the newcomers successfully fill their shoes. Either incoming freshman Bradley Nortman or Ken’s little brother Brad should take over the punting duties. Freshman Phillip Welch, who is listed as a kicker, can also do some punting, which was evident Saturday when he booted a gorgeous 55-yarder. Welch is also the top candidate to succeed Mehlhaff with the kicking duties.
Linebackers need to improve
The biggest disappointment on the defensive side of the ball last season may have been UW’s linebackers. Elijah Hodge and DeAndre Levy looked lost at times, especially against Illinois’ spread offense. As those two struggled, Jonathan Casillas looked like he was trying to do too much, which only made matters worse. With Michigan implementing the spread this season under new coach Rich Rodriguez, the Badgers will be forced to contain the triple option, or they will be in serious trouble.
Good thing they practice it on a regular basis now.
Secondary also must improve
At times, the UW secondary got torched for big plays and some serious yard totals (i.e., Michigan, Michigan State and Minnesota). With Evridge at the helm, the Badgers do not want to get involved in Pac-10, shootout-type games, meaning they must be able to stop the pass.
The loss of Jack Ikegwuonu to the NFL will hurt, but it may not be fatal for Wisconsin, assuming corners Aaron Henry and Allen Langford fully recover from their respective ACL tears from last season.
Jay Valai is making a case to take over for Aubrey Pleasant — who looked like a deer in the headlights more often than not last season — at strong safety and Shane Carter provides some experience at the free safety spot.
If this corps can force some turnovers and reduce opponents’ big plays, it will take a ton of pressure off Evridge, and the Badgers will be able to compete with anyone in Big Ten play.
Paul Chryst needs to be consistent
At times last season, Paul Chryst’s playcalling seemed suspect (a third-and-short end-around to Travis Beckum in Columbus and a fourth-and-two Donovan bootleg in the Outback Bowl come to mind). With four weapons in the backfield (P.J. Hill, Lance Smith, Zach Brown and John Clay), Wisconsin needs to run, run, and run some more. Cute, gimmicky plays are unnecessary when a team’s run game — thanks in large part to a massive, talented, experienced offensive line — is so strong.
That said, a solid running attack will open up the play action for Evridge to players like Beckum, Kyle Jefferson and David Gilreath (watch out for Gilreath in the fall; I saw a little of the Panthers’ Steve Smith in him Saturday).
Chryst needs to utilize Beckum — UW’s best overall player on offense — more, unlike in Tampa on New Year’s Day, when the Badger tight end was MIA for the better part of four quarters. Also, Chryst needs to find ways to get Smith the ball (via screen passes, perhaps?) because he showed glimpses of greatness last season and can only improve by playing in every game as opposed to just home games last fall.
Also, don’t be surprised if you see a little spread offense from Evridge and Co. He has experience running it at Kansas State, and when I asked him about it last week, he smiled and said, “We’ll see.”
The injury bug cannot hit too hard
In football, injuries are inevitable. Should Wisconsin be plagued with injuries (like they are currently) come fall, it will be tough for them to compete for a conference title. Evridge must stay healthy, because after him, there’s zero experience at the quarterback position.
Let-down games cannot happen
Fortunately, the Badgers’ schedule is a favorable one next season. They have Ohio State, Penn State and Illinois at home, and Michigan in September — remember Michigan last September? Now imagine them with a new coach.
That said, if they want to compete for the Big Ten crown, they can’t lose the easy ones. If they take care of business against the Minnesotas and Akrons of the world, things could fall into place ever-so-nicely.
Derek is a sophomore majoring in economics. Have any keys to the Badgers’ upcoming season of your own? Shoot him an e-mail at dzetlin@badgerherald.com.
Anonymous (April 11, 2008 @ 9:12pm):
Elijah Hodge didn't play in the game against Illinois. Publish credible information amateur!
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