NFL
By: Melo Williams
The #19 Wisconsin Badgers football team era officially kickoffs under HC Luke Fickell, on Saturday versus Buffalo at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI.
Fickell was named head coach of the Badgers on November 27, 2022, making him the 31st head coach in Badgers football history after previously coaching the University of Cincinnati football program for six seasons.
As the new head coach, there is much excitement surrounding Fickell’s first season with the team. The progress and success he achieved at Cincinnati created high expectations for his leadership at Wisconsin. Badgers fans are eager to see how Fickell’s coaching style and strategies will translate to wins and potential National Championships for the Wisconsin Badgers.
The transition and transformation of the new Wisconsin football program under Fickell’s guidance have been the topics of discussion and analysis.
According to predictions from college football analysts, there are various expectations for the 2023 Wisconsin Badgers football team. Some analysts foresee that Luke Fickell will bring positive changes and energize the program.
Other analysts also believe that the Badgers’ offense, which struggled in recent seasons, will show improvement in 2023 with the implementation of Phil Longo’s Air Raid scheme which is expected to provide a boost and help the offense become more potent.
This renewed offensive productivity could be a key factor in the team’s success this season and going forward.
Also on offense, the Badgers still do have Braelon Allen who was named to the 2022 All-Big Ten second team (consensus) and was also the Guaranteed Rate Bowl Offensive MVP.
In 2022 Allen played in 12 games, starting all 12 at running back. Braelon led the Badgers in rushing and ranked 4th in the Big Ten with 1,242 rushing yards. Allen rushed for at least 100 yards in 7 games. He also reached the 2,000-yard career rushing mark vs. Michigan State (10/15), becoming the 5th fastest Badger to reach that feat in program history (19 games).
Braelon became the fifth Badger to run for 1,000 yards as both a freshman and a sophomore and has totaled 15 rushing touchdowns in conference action over his first two seasons, tied for the most in the Big Ten over that span.
Rushing, Braelon Allen has 416 rushes, 2,510 rushing yards with 23 TDs averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Receiving he has 21 receptions with 143 yards receiving and 0 TDs averaging 6.4 yards per reception for his Badgers career numbers heading into the 2023 season.
Badgers Senior wide receiver Chimere Dike led UW in receptions (47), receiving yards (689) and receiving touchdowns (six) last season.
Dike also led Big Ten receivers in third-down conversions with 17 catches. He tied for second nationally in touchdown catches on third down (five) and finished sixth nationally in receiving yards on third down (331).
Badgers QB Tanner Mordecai who previously played in an air raid scheme was asked about Badgers players adjusting to the new system in a recent interview with Badger Blitz, he said, “These guys that have been here in the past have played in a very different system, but I wouldn’t say you can tell the difference when you watch us practice. You can’t tell that there’s been a different system for so many years, and that’s something I’ve been proud of them for.”
Furthermore, the favorable schedule for the Badgers in 2023 is an advantage as well, especially for a new coach and system. Most teams won’t be prepared for the Badgers air raid scheme.
With Wisconsin not having to play teams like Penn State the Badgers have a chance to achieve a positive win-loss record and play in yet another high-level bowl game.
Overall, the 2023 Wisconsin Badgers should show major improvements under Luke Fickell’s leadership, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, and with a favorable schedule, the Badgers have the potential to perform well and surpass expectations.
It remains to be seen how well the air raid system will work for the Wisconsin Badgers football team. One game or one season won’t give the best assessment, however, each game will be used as an analysis if the air raid system has the potential to succeed in the B1G for the Wisconsin Badgers football team.
WEEK 1
In the season opener the #19 Wisconsin Badgers host the Buffalo Bulls at Camp Randall.
2022 TEAM STATS
BUFF WISC
28.5 PTS/G 26.3
249.5 Pass Yards 196.9
141.9 Rush Yards 179.8
26.7 Opp PTS/G 20.2
239.8 Opp Pass Yards 222.5
168.7 Opp Rush Yards 99.2
Prediction:
While everyone is probably expecting the new-look air raid Badgers offense to take center stage Saturday, I believe Luke Fickell will place the game plan on the legs of Braelon Allen and the Badger’s rushing game. We’ll get a glimpse of the air raid offense but Wisconsin will help Luke Fickell get his first victory as the Badgers head coach behind Braelon Allen having a huge opening day.
Badgers win 33-21
GAME INFO:
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Camp Randall Stadium.
TV: FS1 with Eric Collins (play-by-play) and Devin Gardner (analysis).
Radio: AM-920 and 97.3 FM in Milwaukee and a state network with Matt Lepay (play-by-play), Mark Tauscher (analysis) and Patrick Herb (sideline).
Line: Wisconsin by 27 ½.
Series: Second meeting. UW won 35-3 in 2006 in Madison.
Follow Melo on Twitter & Instagram: @_MeloWilliams
