The Burning Questions Surrounding Wisconsin Football During Fall Camp
The Wisconsin football team opens fall camp on August 1 at UW-Platteville, and when they do, UW will have some question marks to address.
Madison, Wis. -- With fall camp quickly approaching, the Wisconsin football program is eager to return to the field under new head coach Luke Fickell to erase the bad taste left behind during their rollercoaster 7-6 season.
It's been three years since the Badgers have appeared in Indianapolis for a Big Ten championship, and with a favorable schedule ahead -- and a revamped coaching staff -- the bar of expectation begins with winning the West.
Even though there is unparalleled optimism surrounding the program, there are still several question marks surrounding the Badgers when they begin fall camp on August 1 at UW-Platteville. Let's explore what those are.
Who Claims the Badgers RB3 Job?
I get it, talking about the Wisconsin football third-string running back job isn't glamourous, and it might seem nit-picky, but the Badgers must find someone reliable. Although Braelon Allen and Chez Melluis make up one of the best RB tandems in the country, the duo has also endured plenty of injuries, and the group behind them is full of unproven options.
The top contenders entering camp are converted fullback Jackson Acker (my pick), former safety Cade Yacamelli, incoming freshman Nate White, and walk-on tailback Grover Bortolotti. There are some intriguing skill sets in that group. However, they have little experience- much less at the Power 5 level.
Reinforcements for Wisconsin football are on the way in 2024, with Darrion Dupree, Dilin Jones, and Gideon Ituka all committed to the Badgers. But UW needs someone who can take a few carries this season and provide an insurance policy if one of their top backs succumbs to injury.
How Does Wisconsin Replace its Pass-Rushing Production?
The Wisconsin football program had two absolute game-wreckers on defense last season in Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig.
According to Pro Football Focus, Wisconsin's defense generated 209 pressures this past season, good for roughly 16 per game. Of those 209, 62 came from Herbig and Benton. Those two players were the heartbeat of the defense and accounted for over half of the team's sacks (15.5) and nearly 30% of the Badgers' total pressures.
However, they're collecting NFL paychecks now -- so UW has a serious void to fill.