EARLY BIRD 2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2006
WISCONSIN BADGERS
OFFENSE - 9
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: John Stocco-QB, Joe Thomas-OT
DEFENSE: Joe Monty-DE, Mark Zalewski-MLB, Joe Stellmacher-SS, Roderick Rogers-FS
Running Back/Defensive Line

Sophomore sensation P.J. Hill will carry on the great Badger RB tradition as he competes for the Heisman once again. This DL may be the best in the Big 10.

Quarterback/Safety

Is former Wisconsin AP Prep Player of the Year Tyler Donovan (QB) worthy of duplicating an 11-1 season, as did departed John Stocco? The nation's No. 1 pass efficiency defense will have some holes to fill at safety.

RB P.J. Hill
 
DE Matt Shaughnessy
 

* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2007 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
WISCONSIN 2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Tyler Donovan-Sr ..
FB Bill Rentmeester-Jr ..
RB P.J. Hill-So Lance Smith-So
WR Luke Swan-Sr ..
WR Paul Hubbard-Sr ..
TE Travis Beckum-Jr Andy Crooks-Sr
OT .. ..
OG Andy Kemp-Jr ..
C Marcus Coleman-Sr ..
OG Kraig Urbik-Jr ..
OT Eric Vanden Heuvel-Jr ..
K Taylor Mehlhaff-Sr ..
DEFENSE
DE Jamal Cooper-Sr ..
DT Jason Chapman-Jr ..
DT Nick Hayden-Sr Mike Newkirk-Jr
DE Matt Shaughnessy-Jr ..
SLB DeAndre Levy-Jr ..
MLB Elijah Hodge-So ..
WLB Jonathan Casillas-Jr ..
CB Allen Langford-Jr Ben Strickland-Sr
CB Jack Ikegwuonu-Jr ..
SS .. ..
FS .. ..
P Ken Debauche-Sr ..
QUICK ANALYSIS

An encore performance of the 11-1 season the Badgers quietly put together this past season can easily be attained once again…that is, assuming a replacement QB can come in and play mistake free football. Senior Tyler Donovan will be handed the reigns after gaining valuable experience (played in seven games). He is a former AP Wisconsin Prep Player of the Year and represents more of a threat with his feet compared to his predecessor. With current-frosh sensation P.J. Hill returning, the Badger tradition of producing highly touted Heisman RBs is secure for a few more seasons. His abilities insure that the passing game need only meet typical, modest passing standards in Madison. Basically, the QB job is not set up to win games solely via the pass, a formula that can easily be carried over with Donovan. He will have two senior receivers from which to choose, and the OL already has a ton of playing experience. Replacing All-American Joe Thomas at the tackle spot will be the key ingredient between good and exceptional with this front. With all of the offensive promise, it will be the defense that determines how far this team climbs. All-Big Ten CB Jack Ikegwuonu leads the nation’s (returning) No.1 pass efficiency defense. Expect some position experiments this spring as a new set of safeties spots will need filling. The strength of this team could rest with the DL. This may be the best the Big Ten has to offer in terms of combining run stopping and pass rush. Look for Hayden and Shaughnessy to garner looks as Preseason All-Americans. The Badgers are going to be favored in every game, with the exception of Michigan and Ohio State, which they will have to face back-to-back in early October. The Buckeyes were not a part of the ‘06 schedule equation. Confidence is a strong tool for success. If Wisconsin can run the table through the first two months, they will have a big chance to win the conference. This should no longer be considered a dark horse prediction, though getting by both the Buckeyes and Wolverines is always a tall task.

 

WISCONSIN
2007 SCHEDULE

9-1 Washington State
9-8 @ UNLV
9-15 The Citadel
9-22 Iowa
9-29 Michigan State
10-6 @ Illinois
10-13 @ Penn State
10-27 Indiana
11-3 @ Ohio State
11-10 Michigan
11-17 @ Minnesota
TBA 1 non-conference opponent