Take a Look at our Wisconsin Badgers 2016 Season NCAA Football Odds Preview
57 days to kickoff. #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/OGGkWc9SRa
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) July 8, 2016
Offense
The Badgers (10-3 SU, 6-7 ATS) were solid on offense last season, but certainly not overwhelming in any sense of the word. Wisconsin finished the 2015 season ranked 79th in total offense (378.6 ypg) and 81st in scoring (26.7 ppg). The bad news for the Badgers is that they need to find a new starting quarterback. Senior signal-caller Bart Houston is the front runner to replace Joel Stave but freshman Alex Hornibrook could challenge for the starting job. While Wisconsin’s rushing attack ranked 95th last season, I believe the return of gifted tailback Corey Clement, the heir apparent to record-breaking tailback Melvin Gordon, will solve Chryst’s desire to improve what has a=been a perennially powerful rushing attack at the Big Ten school. Clement was limited to four games and just 48 carries because of a sports hernia injury, but he is fully healed and could surprise in a big way. Running backs Dare Ogunbowale, Taiwan Deal and Bradrick Shaw add to Wisconsin’s deep backfield. Wisconsin must also address an offensive line that was mediocre at best a year ago. A whopping seven different combinations started on the O-line in 2015, including four redshirt freshmen. The good news is that Wisconsin returns seven linemen with starting experience and only lost one starter from last season’s team in left tackle Tyler Marz.Defense
Wisconsin was flat-out dominant on defense in 2015, ranking second overall (268.5 ypg) and a first in points allowed by limiting the opposition to just 13.6 points per game. Wisconsin has seven returning starters on defense and a new coordinator in the form of Justin Wilcox, formerly of USC. The bad news is that the Badgers lost their two best defensive players in linebacker Joe Schobert (9.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles) for a loss and safety Michael Caputo. Still, Wisconsin’s front seven should be very solid in 2016. Outside linebacker Vince Biegel (eight sacks) and cornerbacks Derrick Tindal and Sojourn Shelton will be expected to lead the defense in 2016. The Badgers do have question marks at the safety position after losing starters Michael Caputo and Tanner McEvoy, but I believe Wisconsin will be very good on this side of the ball in 2010, even if they’re not quite as good as they were a year ago.By The Numbers
- Wisconsin is 4-2 ATS in its last six games
- The Badgers are just 4-5 ATS in their L/9 games
- The Under is 7-3 in Wisconsin’s L/10 games
- Wisconsin is 6-1 SU in its last seven conference games
- The Badgers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 conference games