2010 Wisconsin Football Predictions
2010 Wisconsin Football Predictions
2010 Wisconsin Football Predictions
The Wisconsin Badgers head into the 2010 season off an impressive 10-3 run in 2009 that included a big time win over Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl. The Badgers finished the year 5-3 in Big Ten play, but with 16 starters back Wisconsin is thinking they have as good as chance as anyone to win the Big Ten title this season. To help you get going on the upcoming season, here is a look at what Wisconsin is expected to send out to the field on both sides of the ball, plus my prediction on where they finish the season in the Big Ten race.
Offense: The only big loss on this side of the ball was tight end Garrett Graham, who was second in receiving yards with 624 and the team leader in receiving touchdowns with 7. Stepping in his place will be junior Jake Byrne, who should fit it nicely opposite of senior tight end Lance Kendricks. The Badgers bring back both threats on the outside in junior Nick Toon and senior Isaac Anderson.
Back for his second full season as the starting quarterback is senior Scott Tolzien, who was pretty solid in his first year as a starter, throwing for 2,705 yards and 16 touchdowns. Tolzien did throw 11 interceptions and for this team to win the Big Ten this year he has to keep that number down.
The majority of the Badgers offense is going to come from 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year John Clay, who led all of the Big Ten in rushing with 1,517 yards and 18 scores. The scary thing is the Badgers return all five starters on the offensive line this year, so Clay could be in for a 2,000 yard season.
Defense: Just six starters return to this side of the ball, and this unit was up and down in 2009. The Badgers gave up just 88 yards a game, but still allowed teams to put up nearly 22 points a game.
The Badgers appear to be set at linebacker for at least a couple more seasons, as they return two of the best young linebackers in the Big Ten in sophomores Chris Borland and Mike Taylor. Back for another year to man the middle will be senior Culmer St Jean.
Wisconsin also figures to host a pretty good secondary in 2010, as they return both starters at corner in senior Niles Brinkley and junior Devin Smith. At safety the Badgers welcome back strong safety Jay Valai and it looks as though junior Aaron Henry will get the nod at free safety.
The concern for the Badgers is up front, as the only starter back from the 2009 season is junior defensive end JJ Watt. It looks as though red-shirt freshman Jordan Kohout will team up with junior Patrick Butrym at the two tackle positions, while junior Louis Nzegwu is expected to hold down the other end spot. Nzegwu could be ready for a monster season, as he grabbed 3.5 sacks last year in backup duty.
Prediction 3rd Big Ten: I think it's going to come down to the wire between Penn State and Wisconsin for 3rd place in the Big Ten this season, as I think Iowa and Ohio State are the clear favorites to finish at 1-2. The Badgers will definitely make some noise if they can beat Ohio State at home on Oct. 16.
To see the rest of the teams in the Big 10 look this season, check out Jason Lowry's 2010 Big 10 football predictions. If you are thinking about betting college football this season, then you need to make sure to stop back and check out our live college football odds each week.
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