UW football preview: 10 questions facing the Badgers in 2018

Who are these guys?

With seven full-time starters and two key reserves gone from the 2017 defensive unit, the staff will have to work in a plethora of new faces, many untested. With Garrett Rand (Achilles) out all season and Isaiahh Loudermilk (knee) still on the mend, Kayden Lyles has moved from offensive line to defensive end to bolster that unit. Redshirt freshmen ends Matt Henningsen (starter) and Aaron Vopal (reserve) and freshman nose tackle Bryson Williams will have to contribute. Outside linebackers Zack Baun and Tyler Johnson will have to produce so teams can’t focus on Andrew Van Ginkel. The secondary will feature three new starters, and the pool of youngsters who should start or fill key reserve roles includes safety Scott Nelson and cornerbacks Dontye Carriere-Williams, Madison Cone, Caesar Williams, Faion Hicks and Deron Harrell. Safe to say that the defense will need time to develop. 

Can Taylor go back-to-back?

Tailback Jonathan Taylor led the Big Ten in rushing last season with an average of 152.0 yards per game in nine league games and 141.2 in 14 games overall. Three UW runners have led the Big Ten in rushing in league games in consecutive seasons. Alan Ameche accomplished the feat in 1951 (774 yards in seven games) and ’52 (721 yards in six games). In 1970 the Big Ten in began using rushing yards per game as its standard and Ron Dayne was next in 1998 (132.5) and ‘99 (163.8). Montee Ball joined the club by averaging 157.8 in 2011 and 146.0 in 2012. 

Will Connelly continue to develop?

Consider the rise of inside linebacker Ryan Connelly, a former walk-on from Eden Prairie, Minn. After redshirting in ’14, Connelly recorded 15 tackles in ‘15. He was thrust into the lineup in the ’16 opener after Chris Orr suffered a season-ending knee injury and recorded 59 tackles. Last season, Connelly led the team in tackles with 88, including 11 for loss. Like fellow inside linebacker T.J. Edwards, Connelly was a quarterback in high school and has developed into an integral part of UW’s defense. 

Does UW adjust better than its foes? 

UW outscored its opponents in all four quarters last season and finished with a 473-195 edge. The Badgers were particularly dominant during the second half of games, however. They outscored their foes, 226-121, in the first half, an average of 16.1-8.6 per game. They outscored foes, 247-74, after halftime, an average of 17.6-5.3.

Is Chryst a third-down guru?

UW’s offense earned its keep on third downs when Paul Chryst was a coordinator (2005-’11). Only once during that seven-season span did UW fail to convert at least 40% of its chances – 38.2% in 2008. The peak came in ’11 with Russell Wilson when UW converted 54.7% of its chances. UW has surpassed the 40% mark in each of Chryst’s three seasons as head coach – 40.8% in 2015, 44.1% in 2016 and 48.6% last season.

Will Gaglianone's back hold up?

Senior kicker Rafael Gaglianone has bounced back nicely from a subpar sophomore season in 2015. Gaglianone made 19 of 22 field-goal attempts (86.4%) as a freshman, slumped to 18 of 27 attempts (66.7%) in ’15, but has made 23 of his last 26 attempts (88.5%). He was 7 of 8 in 2016 before undergoing season-ending back surgery and hit 16 of 18 attempts last season. Gaglianone missed time in camp with back issues but recently returned to practice. Will his back hold up all season?

Return to sender?

UW’s staff continues to search for ways to boost the kickoff-return unit. A.J. Taylor led the team with a 23.5-yard average last season. Of UW’s top 10 marks for single-season average, only two are from this century. Brandon Williams (2005) is No. 4 with 28.0-yard average and Kenzel Doe (2013) is No. 7 at 26.5. The top three marks were set in the 1970s, led by Ira Matthews at 29.6 yards in 1976. 

Who will fill Fumagalli's shoes?

Three tight ends caught passes for UW last season. Troy Fumagalli led the team with 46 receptions, including four for touchdowns. Zander Neuville, who missed UW’s final two games after suffering a torn ACL in the regular-season finale at Minnesota, was next with nine receptions, including two for touchdowns. Kyle Penniston added seven receptions, one for a touchdown. Can Neuville, Penniston and redshirt freshman Jake Ferguson combine to fill the void created by Fumagalli’s departure?

Can Badgers pass road tests?

As good as the Badgers are projected to be this season, not one of their five league road games appears to be a breather. Their West Division road foes are Iowa, Northwestern and Purdue. The crossover road games are against Michigan and Penn State. The Nittany Lions were 7-0 at home last season. Michigan finished 4-2, with losses to Michigan State and Ohio State. UW hasn’t played at Penn State since the 2012 season – a 24-21 overtime loss. UW last won at Penn State in 2003. UW has split its last two games at Michigan, securing a 48-28 victory in 2010 but suffering a 14-7 loss in 2016.

Will the trophy rise in the West?

The Big Ten is set to hold its eighth football title game this season, on Dec. 1 in Indianapolis. The winners of the Legends and Leaders divisions met in the first three games, but the last four games have featured the champions of the East and West divisions. The East champion is 4-0 under the new format and UW is the only team currently in the West Division to win a title. UW, 2-3 in the title game, defeated Michigan State in the first title game in 2011 and routed Nebraska in ’12.