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EARLY
BIRD 2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2006 |
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WISCONSIN
BADGERS |
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OFFENSE
- 9 |
------RETURNING
STARTERS------ |
DEFENSE
- 7 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
John Stocco-QB, Joe Thomas-OT |
DEFENSE:
Joe
Monty-DE, Mark Zalewski-MLB, Joe Stellmacher-SS,
Roderick Rogers-FS |
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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. |
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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. |
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RB
P.J. Hill |
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DE
Matt Shaughnessy |
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* 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. |
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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 |
.. |
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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 |
.. |
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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.
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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
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