|
WR
Brandon Williams |
|
2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Barry Alvarez
108-70-4,
15 years |
2004
Record: 9-3 |
|
UCF |
WON
34-6 |
UNLV |
WON
18-3 |
at
Arizona |
WON
9-7 |
PENN
STATE |
WON
16-3 |
ILLINOIS |
WON
24-7 |
at
Ohio State |
WON
24-13 |
at
Purdue |
WON
20-17 |
NORTHWESTERN |
WON
24-12 |
MINNESOTA |
WON
38-14 |
at
Michigan State |
LOST
14-49 |
at
Iowa |
LOST
7-30 |
OUTBACK
BOWL |
vs.
Georgia |
LOST
21-24 |
|
2004 Final Rankings
AP-17, Coaches-18, BCS-17
|
2005
Outlook |
Alvarez
called last season's team, which was
9-0 before faltering in the final
three games, a group of overachievers.
They effectively compensated for shortcomings
in certain areas through the nine
wins. But the character instilled
in the ten returning starters who
fought through those three losses
will pay huge dividends as they lead
this squad into the seven rather tough
games that appear on their slate.
Establishing a legitimate field general
from their capable coral will allow
the six senior starters to concentrate
on their assignments so as to motivate
more by example.
Therefore,
initially, the offense doesn't figure
to be too much better (got more than
24 points in only two games). With
the defensive play sure to drop off,
just how far it does will go a long
way toward defining this Badger season.
The overall approach, too, will prove
much - it needs to be opened up on
offense so they don't pressure the
weaker defense to be the more impacting
unit. But Alvarez' motivations haven't
usually been along those lines - he
will run them and run them, methodically,
predictably, and possibly into the
ground if something doesn't give this
way.
In
a Big Ten in which almost every team
is expected to be improved, UW's struggles
will really show when not tightened
up by late September - when conference
play kicks. Opening with Bowling Green
in dangerous enough, so that character
we spoke of will be tested right off
(probably with a loss here), and Michigan
is then that first Big Ten foe. But
ending with Hawai'i guarantees them
a warm weather game that can reward
their hard efforts regardless of bowl
eligibility (which is likely, but
not at all a lock), as well as give
them a win to carry over into '06.
Since
reaching a peak at the close of the
'90s, Wisconsin has since leveled
off by going 38-26, including 19-21
in the Big Ten. Unfortunately, the
conservative nature of coach Alvarez'
offensive patterns seems to now be
holding back speedy talent (especially
at QB) that is wasted unless more
progressive schemes are soon employed.
Entering his 16th season, Alvarez
(also the school's athletic director)
truly appears to be in the twilight
of his coaching career. Bielema and
UW-grad Chryst are most likely auditioning
to be his eventual successor, so let's
hope an increased role for both can
elevate the troops and their levels
of play via a fresher approach. Besides
their QB derby, that intangible could
be the most significant development
effecting what is clearly a rebuilding
season. Sorry kiddies
going to
Camp Randall won't be as fun as it
used to be, but Cheeseheads will find
plenty to bite home about by a medium-sharp
midseason, and the faithful will soon
be eagerly looking toward each next
game as problems are slowly solved.
Seemingly, all anyone can do to help
is sing,"On
Wisconsin
"
Projected
2005 record: 6-6
|
|
WISCONSIN
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3 |
DL
- 2.5 |
RB
- 3.5 |
LB
- 4 |
WR
- 3 |
DB
- 3 |
OL
- 3 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
John Stocco, 321-169-7, 1999 yds.,
9 TD
Rushing: Booker Stanley, 115
att., 350 yds., 2 TD
Receiving: Brandon Williams,
42 rec., 517 yds., 0 TD
Scoring: John Stocco, 4 TD,
24 pts.
Punting: Ken DeBauche, 57 punts,
41.8 avg.
Kicking: None
Tackles: Dontez Sanders, 76
tot., 35 solo
Sacks: Dontez Sanders, 5.5
sacks
Interceptions: Brett Bell,
3 for 9 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Brandon Williams,
23 ret., 19.0 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Ben Strickland,
1 ret., 13.0 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
LB
Dontez Sanders |
|
|
|
|
WISCONSIN
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 6 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 4 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Anthony Davis-RB, Darrin Charles-WR,
Tony Paciotti-TE, Dan Buenning-OG, Jonathan
Clinkscale-OG, Morgan Davis-OT, Mike
Lorenz-OT, Mike Allen-K, Reggie Cribbs-MLB |
DEFENSE:
Erasmus
James-DE, Anttaj Hawthorne-DT, Jason
Jefferson-DT, Jonathan Welsh-DE, Scott
Starks-CB, Robert Brooks-SS, Jim Leonhard-FS |
|
|
2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
Don't
be stunned when junior John Stucco is benched
or splitting time with sophomores Tyler
Donovan, Marcus Randle-El and/or redshirt
freshman Bryan Savage by fall. Stocco proved
to be average, at best, in his first year
as starter. Blame some of that on a rather
predictable run-oriented offense, even by
Big Ten standards. But, for the most part,
Stocco's lack of accuracy and decision-making
were the reasons. After the Outback Bowl
loss, Barry Alvarez decided to re-open the
QB derby. We'll find out more in the spring,
but look for Savage (or Donovan) to eventually
win the starting job. Savage, a Pennsylvania
native, has a bigger, more accurate arm,
runs better than Stocco and has the leadership
skills Stocco too often lacks. Look for
highly-touted, dual-threat Donovan to be
enough of a factor so that Randle-El (like
his brother) can then be moved to WR. After
all of that, we wonder if the speed available
here will be utilized to its potential,
or be again stagnated - Stucco only had
around 30 runs (minus sacks), and two or
three runs per game won't be enough so that
this position can freeze a LB or two. This
is a solid unit that will shine regardless,
but in Alvarez' Army, can it be "all
it can be"?
Running
Back
The
torch is passed to CU-transfer Brian Calhoun,
who still has two years of eligibility.
Calhoun, a light, 5-11 sprinter with 4.3
speed from Oak Creek (Milwaukee), also has
some power and is a reliable target out
of the backfield. The tailbacks in this
offense are usually expected to be strong
pass-blockers, something Calhoun will have
to show. Neither Booker Stanley and Jamil
Walker is as fast as Calhoun, but each can
move quickly enough to run right past defenders
while they provide the power Calhoun lacks.
The real power, however, will come from
popular senior fullback Matt Bernstein,
an oft-utilized workhorse is short yardage
or when this team needs a sustained drive
to eat up clock. Most importantly, he's
a 270-lb. wrecking ball, which will be vital
with a young offensive line.
Receiver
This group, which returns almost intact,
was a marginal disappointment, though the
blame fell squarely on the shoulders of
Stocco and offensive coordinator Brian White.
The potential remains for this to be a strong
unit. Brandon Williams emerged as the top
possession receiver, even though he appeared
to be more of a big-play guy entering last
fall. With just 16 catches, Jonathan Orr
never did return to 2002 form. He's still
a potential deep-threat target who needs
to be utilized. Brandon White, an athletic
senior who was a solid backup, is another
guy who could help spread out defenses.
Randle-El, who caught two passes as a RB,
would be a nice medium-range addition to
this group. This could be one of the better
receiving corps in the Big Ten but, no matter
how talented these guys are, their stats
will remain dismal if/when no one gets them
the ball consistently enough.
Tight
End
This
position has become a bigger part of the
offense the past few seasons, a trend that
should continue, especially with QBs coach
Jeff Horton moving here. Developing former-QB
Owen Daniels into a reliable target has
made this all work well. Daniels, who was
second on the team in receptions and receiving
yards, is a constant threat to get open.
The blocking that's needed here will come
more from experienced senior Jason Pociask,
though he will get open in the secondary,
too, as proven. Alvarez likes to have these
guys open up the underneath middle by sending
them deep (both TEs led the team in average
per catch), so look for whether they play
this role or the WRs do to see developments
past prior schemes.
Offensive
Line
With
the exception of the QB spot, this area
poses the biggest question - not an ideal
area of concern for a run-oriented offense
that is breaking in a new QB. Three-fifths
of the starting group is gone, as are two
key backups. That might not necessarily
be a bad thing for a unit that, despite
its experience, was never really explosive
off the ball (and though it did cut its
sacks total down from 37 in '03 to 22, passing
isn't the centerpiece here
yet). The
anchor will be senior center Donovan Riola,
who is poised for an all-conference season,
and 6-8 junior Morgan Davis is a great pass
blocker to have on the blindside. The likely
replacements at the other spots aren't quite
as big as what we're used to seeing by way
of "cheese-fed" linemen, but with
both a speedy demon and power at running
back, their quickness should be an advantage,
especially when going outside. Overall,
this unit will need time to gel, something
a rough early-season schedule won't allow.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
OC
White has his work cut out for him. While
solid, the ground game couldn't shoulder
the offensive burden alone in the final
three games. With some holes to fill on
the line, the ground game could easily lose
a little pop, forcing the forward pass to
be even more essential, but it won't. The
new RB-unit looks strong enough to supercede
those before them, a legitimate Badger trend.
Alvarez brought back former TEs coach Paul
Chryst, who will split coordinating duties
with White. More importantly, he'll handle
the play-calling and coach the QBs. As the
offensive coordinator at Oregon State, Chryst
directed the nation's 10th-ranked offense
in '03 and the No. 7 passing offense last
fall. Still, don't expect Air Alvarez. Like
White, Chryst will have to operate within
Alvarez's guidelines, though his ability
to develop the young QBs will be a big plus.
The best hope here is that Savage is an
instant star, utilizing his speed through
more-creative play-calling which, in turn,
allows the running game to maintains its
strength. Most likely, this will be a true
rebuilding offense that will struggle to
put up points at first, but will blossom
by mid-season to forge new names soon-to-be-known
in every Madison household. There is just
too much talent here to think that they
will just run this side of the ball's potential
again into the ground.
|
|
C
Donovan Raiola
|
|
|
WISCONSIN
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
John
Stocco-Jr (6-2, 197) |
Tyler
Donovan-So (6-1, 187) |
FB |
Matt
Bernstein-Sr (6-2, 266) |
Chris
Pressley-So (6-1, 256) |
TB |
Brian
Calhoun-Jr (5-10, 194) |
Dywon
Rowan-Jr (5-9, 239)
Booker Stanley-Jr (5-10, 214) (susp.) |
WR |
Brandon
Williams-Sr (5-11, 175) |
Brandon
White-Sr (6-3, 190) |
WR |
Jonathan
Orr-Sr (6-3, 190) |
Jarvis
Minton-So (6-1, 202) |
TE |
Jason
Pociask-Sr (6-3, 258) |
Owen
Daniels-Sr (6-3, 247) |
OT |
Joe
Thomas-Jr (6-8, 303) |
Andrew
Weininger-So (6-6, 314) |
OG |
Matt
Lawrence-Sr (6-5, 288) |
Andy
Kemp-Fr (6-6, 315) |
C |
Donovan
Raiola-Sr (6-3, 294) |
Luke
Knauf-So (6-4, 304) |
OG |
Jason
Palermo-Sr (6-3, 307) |
Marcus
Coleman-So (6-6, 309) |
OT |
Kraig
Urbik-Fr (6-6, 317) |
Danny
Kaye-So (6-8, 319) |
K |
Taylor
Melhaff-So (5-11, 179) |
Adam
Schober-Fr (5-11, 195) |
|
|
2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
The
line goes from being a strength to a potential
Achilles heel after losing four starters
(all are likely draft picks). But losing
James will be noticed the most, and until
a monster like him is found, this ungelled
unit will struggle just to keep up. The
returning backups are young but not totally
inexperienced, and should eventually become
the leaders needed to anchor the talented
youth. Expect three incoming freshmen --
DE Terrance Jamison (Harvey, Ill.), DE Matt
Shaughnessy (Norwich, Conn.) and DT Dan
Cascone (Sandy Hook, Conn.) -- to be major
contributors in the rotation, and eventually
starters. The physically mature Cascone
is talented enough to push the expected
starters. Jamison is a natural playmaker,
and Shaughnessy has 4.6 speed, so he will
just have to be a legitimate run stopper
while exploding off the edge. This green
unit will test the abilities of lauded defensive
coordinator Bret Bielema, who enjoyed the
Big Ten's No. 2 pass rush and No. 3 rush
defense. Less stunting during the establishment
phase will lower TFLs, but, more importantly,
will keep overpursuit (allowed 3.8 per carry)
to a minimum.
Linebacker
This
entire group is back, though the scheme
here will be revamped with the new line.
In reality, this is a proven group, though
it lacks a consistent playmaker. Bielema's
focus here is quickness. The best hope is
quick true soph Andy Crooks, who took the
MLB spot from Reggie Cribbs and shows big-play
ability. Weak-side backer Dontez Sanders
(a fast converted safety) and SAM Mark Zalewski
were good at times, especially as pass-rushers.
The stat lines may look good here, but LBs
often struggled to finish tackles. This
group will be better with age, as off-season
adjustments will fine-tune the potential
and make efforts flourish. Expect athletic
6'5" incoming freshman Travis Beckum
to see time here or at rush-end, as will
Elijah Hodge. Both only add speed, though
Beckum would become the biggest of all the
outside guys. LBs are the glue on D, and
this established crew will make transitions
on the line and secondary much less bumpy.
Defensive
Back
With three-fourths of the starting mix gone,
what was the nation's No. 7 pass defense
will drop off - but to what extent will
go a long way towards defining 2005 for
UW. The leader is cornerback Brett Bell,
a big, athletic senior who can make the
open-field tackle and will become the shut-down
guy. Levonne Rowan, Bell's backup the last
two seasons, is even bigger than Bell and
is capable of a worthy effort as a starter.
Safeties are of concern, as big plays have
yet to come from either of the two currently
tapped. Depth will have to be developed,
as well as cohesion among the starters.
This area won't be a disaster, but it will
look far worse without the menacing pass
rush that aided it last year. Smart foes
will use the pass to set up the run - when
the speed at LB is forced to drop back,
the newbies on the line will then be left
alone.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
With rebuilding efforts at D-line and the
secondary, and a still-emerging group of
LBs, Bielema would have to be a genius (and
possibly immortal) to even approach 2004's
finish of No. 9 in the nation. The secondary
has the potential to hold steady, which
puts the focus on the front-seven. Size
issues at LB join inexperience on the line
to make for run-stopping issues, a bad reality
in the Big Ten. But realistically, the secondary
will have to work together to become strong
enough, and then it can eventually hold
its own, but how long this takes will dictate
where the LBs efforts will lean towards.
The more they're forced to drop back to
aid DBs, the more opponents will just grind
them down. This defense will make its mistakes
early (Bowling Green looks like last year's
version of Utah in the opener), but the
personnel have the potential to form a solid
unit by midseason. Badger fans will just
have to hope that it's not too late by then.
|
|
DB
Brett Bell
|
|
|
WISCONSIN
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Joe
Monty-Jr (6-2, 252) |
Kurt
Ware-So (6-4, 274) |
DT |
Justin
Ostrowski-So (6-5, 304) |
Jason
Chapman-Fr (6-4, 280) |
DT |
Nick
Hayden-So (6-5, 302) |
Mark
Gorman-Jr (6-4, 275) |
DE |
Jamal
Cooper-So (6-4, 217) |
Mike
Newkirk-Fr (6-3, 250) |
SLB |
Mark
Zalewski-Jr (6-2, 228) |
Paul
Joran-Jr (6-3, 234) |
MLB |
Andy
Crooks-So (6-3, 242) |
Elliot
Goode-Sr (6-2, 239) |
WLB |
Dontez
Sanders-Sr (6-1, 208) |
LaMarr
Watkins-Sr (6-1, 223) |
CB |
Levonne
Rowan-Sr (6-1, 191) |
Jack
Ikegwuonu-Fr (6-1, 199) |
CB |
Brett
Bell-Sr (6-0, 200) |
Allen
Langford-Fr (5-11, 187) |
SS |
Johnny
White-Jr (6-2, 217) |
Joe
Stellmacher-Jr (6-1, 216) |
FS |
Roderick
Rogers-Jr (6-2, 181) |
Zach
Hampton-Jr (5-10, 178) |
P |
Ken
DeBauche-So (6-2, 219) |
Paul
Standring-So (6-1, 212) |
|
|
|
2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
The
highly-anticipated heir apparent here is sophomore
Taylor Mehlhaff, who handled kickoff duties last
fall (coverage improved modestly from ninth to
sixth in the Big Ten). The nation's No. 1-rated
kicker (2004) and former kickoff champion (at
Chris Saler's Kicking Camp as a prep junior),
Mehlhaff has a big leg that needs to find its
groove (went 6-of-14 as a senior) before he can
wipe last campaign's 12-of-21 stigma. But, opponents,
listen up - Mehlhaff was Gatorade Player of the
Year in South Dakota as a QB and SS, so his ability
to pull off a fake and/or pummel your ball-carrier
will affect how UW approaches his impact, and
unaware foes will pay.
Punter
Ken
DeBauche won the job as a redshirt freshman and
provided a much-needed lift in the field position
struggles. He landed 17 balls inside the 20 as
the Badgers improved to fourth in the conference
in net punting. DeBauche will be that little bit
better, especially with a regrouping defense that
will supply LBs/DBs hungry for playing time.
Return
Game
The
offense will need better starting position out
of Williams, who was 10th in the conference at
19.0 yards per kick return. Expect Randle-El to
take over the family tradition for the Badgers
on punts, and will add even a little more explosiveness
to a return unit that failed to get six even once.
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