Badger Football 2021

[JosephC]

It would be nice if bowl game committees actually looked at the standings when picking teams. Maybe they would have noticed that Penn State finished 4-5.

[homer]

It would be nice if bowl game committees actually looked at the standings when picking teams. Maybe they would have noticed that Penn State finished 4-5.

 

I think a lot of them look at how many fans of that team will go to the bowl game.

[Underachiever]

The payout is far less. 4.7 vs 2.9 million according to Wikipedia

 

And the trophy definitely will be less glamorous.

 

My how my dreams were dashed on the day Peavy informed us that the mayonnaise bowl is not a Big Ten game this year.

Duke's is truly the premier condiment-based bowl game, until Heinz field adds one.

 

Edit: I know that Tostito's makes salsa. But I consider that a chip-based bowl. Don't try to change my mind.

[CheezWizHed]

The Duke Mayonnaise Bowl victory will long be remembered and held in the hearts of...sorry, I couldn't think of a good ending to that joke, so I'll just drop it.

[PeaveyFury]

so I'll just drop it.

 

Like Mertz with the trophy? rimshot.

 

Regarding bowl selection, there USED to be a rule, which I'm almost certain is now defunct with the more fluid bowl situation due to the playoff, that the selection order was required to be set by standings, but a bowl COULD jump a team up one spot due to selection or if they didn't want the same team two consecutive years, etc. I think that went away either when the BIG split into divisions or with the playoff adoption, but it did allow for a more logical selection order and, hypothetically, more competitive bowl games.

[PinaMadness]

Never forget.

 

[young guns]

Never forget.

 

Was that the same year the refs blew a call on an onside kick at Oregon st? Those 2 games still pass me off, because there was pretty clear evidence of biased refing at the end of those games.

[CheezWizHed]

so I'll just drop it.

 

Like Mertz with the trophy? rimshot.

 

When you have to explain the joke...

[homer]

Rumor that Joe Rudolph might be leaving to go to Va Tech. Wouldn't surprise me if he did leave after getting play-calling duties stripped away.

[PeaveyFury]

Completely unsurprising. Opens up Bostead to O-line where he should be, and it allows them to bring in an external OC, which is what the offense needs, IMO.

[tmwiese55]

Yea I'd assume if this is true on Rudolph that he was kind of pushed to find something else as they were going to need to go a new direction after this year. But they're like best friends so they will try do it as nicely as possible.

 

On the other hand, he just had some headlines in recent days raving about the younger OL and how well they've been doing in bowl prep. Remember a lot of those are very high ranked recruits.

[nate82]

Completely unsurprising. Opens up Bostead to O-line where he should be, and it allows them to bring in an external OC, which is what the offense needs, IMO.

 

I doubt PC allows the new OC to change much in the offense. If anything PC is probably going to be the play caller again and they will just promote someone like Bostead to the OC spot.

[tmwiese55]

Completely unsurprising. Opens up Bostead to O-line where he should be, and it allows them to bring in an external OC, which is what the offense needs, IMO.

 

I doubt PC allows the new OC to change much in the offense. If anything PC is probably going to be the play caller again and they will just promote someone like Bostead to the OC spot.

 

which is fine by me. I think I'd prefer more shake up, but I get trying to get back to what worked. This is the same setup that had the O humming around 2010. And let's not forget PCs Pitt offenses were strong too. And fundamentally I think the biggest problem with the offense has been the O-lines have not been up to the UW standard we got used to from say 08-14ish (Bostad years and couple after). So has that hindered options/playcalling? To me a big problem in the passing game is the Oline can't pass black the last few years, the QB is pressured almost as soon as he drops back. Or you end up keeping too many TEs/RBs in to help block so it's easy to defend if only like 3 people go out in routes.

 

But I also see a playcalling issue with that same problem in that it's been very predictable on what play is coming. Less presnap motion, play action, etc than when the O was humming years ago. Too much passing from shotgun so the D knows it's coming.

 

Regardless, a big worry I have on O is losing the WRs. Still have Chike who's solid, but UW of the last say 15ish years has never really had this many good athletic WRs like they've had the last few years, and yet they couldn't pass. What's going to happen now that there's only 1, and really no clear cut option to who else can step up.

[nate82]

 

which is fine by me. I think I'd prefer more shake up, but I get trying to get back to what worked. This is the same setup that had the O humming around 2010. And let's not forget PCs Pitt offenses were strong too. And fundamentally I think the biggest problem with the offense has been the O-lines have not been up to the UW standard we got used to from say 08-14ish (Bostad years and couple after). So has that hindered options/playcalling? To me a big problem in the passing game is the Oline can't pass black the last few years, the QB is pressured almost as soon as he drops back. Or you end up keeping too many TEs/RBs in to help block so it's easy to defend if only like 3 people go out in routes.

 

But I also see a playcalling issue with that same problem in that it's been very predictable on what play is coming. Less presnap motion, play action, etc than when the O was humming years ago. Too much passing from shotgun so the D knows it's coming.

 

Regardless, a big worry I have on O is losing the WRs. Still have Chike who's solid, but UW of the last say 15ish years has never really had this many good athletic WRs like they've had the last few years, and yet they couldn't pass. What's going to happen now that there's only 1, and really no clear cut option to who else can step up.

 

I have zero confidence in PC becoming what he was in Pitt. Allen looks to be a legit play maker but I have no confidence in PC actually using him more than just a RB. Look at Ferguson how many times has he lined up in the slot or any other spot than the traditional TE spot? I just don't have any confidence in PC making these changes when he wouldn't do it during the season. When in shotgun they could have put Ferguson in the backfield and then had him run a route from there or they could have put in one of the WR's there and ran route for them.

 

I just don't believe PC will make the changes or allow for the changes to the offense that will be needed for the Badgers to be successful. The first three games of the 2020 season there was a lot of movement and the play calling wasn't 100% predictable. After the Michigan game in 2020 the offense went back to this weird no movement and no creativity stale offense.

[PeaveyFury]

I just don't believe PC will make the changes or allow for the changes to the offense that will be needed for the Badgers to be successful. The first three games of the 2020 season there was a lot of movement and the play calling wasn't 100% predictable. After the Michigan game in 2020 the offense went back to this weird no movement and no creativity stale offense.

 

....which is why maybe a new offensive coordinator with new ideas would be useful.

[nate82]

I just don't believe PC will make the changes or allow for the changes to the offense that will be needed for the Badgers to be successful. The first three games of the 2020 season there was a lot of movement and the play calling wasn't 100% predictable. After the Michigan game in 2020 the offense went back to this weird no movement and no creativity stale offense.

 

....which is why maybe a new offensive coordinator with new ideas would be useful.

 

I am not against a new offensive coordinator and maybe a new voice will wake PC up. I am just not sold on him allowing the new offensive coordinator to make these changes. A new voice in the room on the offensive side is definitely needed and should be welcomed especially after the last two seasons. I just don't think PC is going to allow for these changes to happen.

[LouisEly]

I think I'd prefer more shake up, but I get trying to get back to what worked. This is the same setup that had the O humming around 2010.

We need to stop comparing to the 2010/11 teams because those teams had nine and eight offensive skill position players respectively who went on to play in the NFL. Add that to the nine and seven OL who went on to play in the NFL, and they were literally a NFL team playing college teams.

 

They do need to do some things differently offensively, but those 2010/2011 teams shouldn't be the expectation.

[PeaveyFury]

 

I am not against a new offensive coordinator and maybe a new voice will wake PC up. I am just not sold on him allowing the new offensive coordinator to make these changes. A new voice in the room on the offensive side is definitely needed and should be welcomed especially after the last two seasons. I just don't think PC is going to allow for these changes to happen.

 

To each their own, but I think this is a little dire. I think the offense is vanilla because of the limitations in talent, this year along the o-line and at QB especially. I would expect them to open things up if they felt they had the personnel to do so. But, I think fresh ideas are good.

[tmwiese55]

I think I'd prefer more shake up, but I get trying to get back to what worked. This is the same setup that had the O humming around 2010.

We need to stop comparing to the 2010/11 teams because those teams had nine and eight offensive skill position players respectively who went on to play in the NFL. Add that to the nine and seven OL who went on to play in the NFL, and they were literally a NFL team playing college teams.

 

They do need to do some things differently offensively, but those 2010/2011 teams shouldn't be the expectation.

 

I guess. But that's kind of the point to bringing it up, these same coaches made that happen before. They need to get back to developing and using people like that, especially in the OL. It's not like all those guys were some 4/5 star studs of talent like your post implies. They were similar if not lower recruited than guys in here now. Yet they're not being coached/developed/used as well as back then. That especially applies to the OL and everything starts with OL.

 

I'd agree expecting record setting type like 10/11 is too much, but some semblance of rather than a clear problem isn't too much to ask. Especially since he was able to go to Pitt and produce it with even less talent.

 

Obviously Wilson was the exception for one of the years so we said for years now get a real QB prospect and it'll fix. They got two top guys back to back in Coan and Mertz yet it hasn't helped.

[brewcrewdue80]

Just peaked over to see game is tonight vs ASU and seeing ASU's QB stats similar to Mertz, with the defense Badgers have would have to think WI dominates. You know so long as Mertz doesn't have a poor game.

[pitchleague]

My wife, brother, and I, Plus some ASU friends, were planning to go to the game. We waited to buy tickets because we wanted to see prices go down. But, with games being canceled randomly, Covid issues, and the late start for us here in Arizona, we decided we will all just get together at someone’s house and watch the game instead. A bit disappointing, but the end of the world.

 

Go badgers!!!

[DuWayne Steurer]

Nice start for the D

[yourout]

That little misdirection with the fullback probably would have been useful against Minnesota when they were selling out on the tail back.

[DuWayne Steurer]

That little misdirection with the fullback probably would have been useful against Minnesota when they were selling out on the tail back.

 

 

I think Allen was running hurt that game and Cryst just absolutely refused to adjust or try anything different. It is what it is, we're at where we're at now, and if they win this game, it's a nice note to go out on.

[yourout]

Need to keep this guy in the pocket