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Game Thread Wisconsin 13, tOSU 31 (Oct 10, 3:30 ET, ABC/ESPN)

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CFN

Q: What happened to the tackling at Wisconsin last year? How did the program fall so far so fast?

A: By Benjamin Worgull of BadgerNation.com - What happened to the tackling? That's the million dollar question Bret Bielema and his coaching staff never could figure out as the 2008 season wore on. While most teams usually progress and master the fundamentals by the start of conference slate, Wisconsin actually seemed to digress, as the Badgers were one of the most penalized teams in the Big Ten last season, gave up 180 sacks, had a turnover margin of -.62 (second to last in the Big Ten) and were dead last in redzone defense.

Bielema stuck to the fact that his team was not 'undisciplined,' but the numbers clearly show the Badgers were not executing some of the simplest of things; things that could have prevented at least two losses.

How did the program fall so far so fast? Simply put, the schedule caught up to them. In 2006, a program-record 12 wins in Bielema's first year, the Badgers played one AP ranked opponent during the regular season (the team's only loss at Michigan).

In 2007, the Badgers played three, going 1-2, including a poor performance against Tennessee in the Outback Bowl. Last year, Wisconsin went 1-3 against AP ranked team, with its only win coming at Fresno State, a team that was overranked from the start.


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CFN.Wiscy.preview

CFN.Wiscy.offense

CFN.Wiscy.defense

CFN.Depth.Chart

What to watch for on offense: The quarterback situation - again. For yet another year, there's going to be a summer of controversy surrounding the starting quarterback job. While Dustin Sherer might be the safe choice, considering he started over the second half of last year and is a solid senior, redshirt freshman Curt Phillips could be the guy who makes everyone wonder why the issue was even up for discussion. Phillips will likely make more mistakes if he's the No. 1, but he has the mobility to make the quarterback spot plus this year, rather than make it a caretaker's job.

What to watch for on defense: The defensive tackles. The back seven will be solid and the pass rush will be hit or miss, but the Badgers can't do much this year if the tackles aren't great. There aren't any big names, with Dan Moore and Jeff Stehle seniors who haven't set the world on fire so far as backups, but the coaching staff likes the rotation and there's talk that the interior could quietly grow into a plus as the season wears on.

The team will be far better if - the quarterbacks don't stink. The quarterback play wasn't necessarily awful throughout all of last season, but it was inconsistent and generally ineffective. Allan Evridge and Dustin Sherer were awful in the four-game losing streak with eight of the 11 interceptions thrown on the year coming against Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa, and it's not a stretch to suggest a mid-level quarterback would've pulled out the first two of those games. Now Evridge, who unfairly took the brunt of the blame for the bad year, is gone and Sherer has to show he can make plays to keep the attack moving. If not, the Curt Phillips era will begin.

Ten Best Badger Players
1. RB John Clay, Soph.
2. TE Garrett Graham, Sr.
3. LB Jaevery McFadden, Sr.
4. RB Zach Brown, Jr.
5. WR/KR David Gilreath, Jr.
6. DE O?Brien Schofield, Sr.
7. LB Culmer St. Jean, Jr.
8. OT Gabe Carimi, Jr.
9. S Jay Valai, Jr.
10. PK Philip Welch, Soph.

2009 Schedule

9/05 Northern Illinois
9/12 Fresno State
9/19 Wofford
9/26 Michigan State
10/3 at Minnesota
10/10 at Ohio State
10/17 Iowa
10/24 OPEN DATE
10/31 Purdue
11/7 at Indiana
11/14 Michigan
11/21 at Northwestern
11/28 OPEN DATE
12/5 at Hawaii
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Wisky suspends 2 starting safties

MADISON, Wis. (AP)?Wisconsin has suspended safeties Aubrey Pleasant and Shane Carter.
Head coach Bret Bielema did not say in his statement on Saturday why the two seniors were being suspended. Both players have been an integral part of the Badgers? defense.

The 6-foot-1 Pleasant has made 80 career tackles over 14 starts and was listed beside safety Jay Valai for a starting slot on the most recent depth chart.
The 6-foot-2 Carter has made 20 starts in his career and is competing with Chris Maragos for the other starting safety position.
Wisconsin plays its first game Sept. 5 against Northern Illinois.
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I'm sure the suspension won't be for long unless they are in prison but worth noting.
 
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Tony Gerdeman sees the Badgers in the middle of the Big Ten pack.

Ozone

Big Ten Countdown - No. 5 Wisconsin
By Tony Gerdeman

Predicted Finish
8-4 (4-4)

Two-Cent Overview
A quarterback battle should eventually determine a winner, and that winner will get to hand the ball off to the conference's best running back. There is a good group of receivers here, provided somebody can get them the ball. The offensive line is still being rebuilt as we speak, but there are always parts to work with in Madison. The defensive line may not be as fortunate, as the interior has been completely gutted--even the copper wiring is gone. The back seven has more questions than answers, but a favorable schedule will mask a few larger issues.

Schedule
Sep. 05 Northern Illinois (W)
Sep. 12 Fresno State (W)
Sep. 19 Wofford (W)
Sep. 26 Michigan State (L)
Oct. 03 at Minnesota (L)
Oct. 10 at Ohio State (L)
Oct. 17 Iowa (W)
Oct. 31 Purdue (W)
Nov. 07 at Indiana (W)
Nov. 14 Michigan (W)
Nov. 21 at Northwestern (L)
Dec. 05 at Hawaii (W)

Goal
A New Year's Day Bowl. Head Coach Bret Bielema has to stop the bleeding this season and a trip to one of the Big Ten?s many New Year's Day bowl games could provide some much-needed clotting.

Team Motto
"Men, we will run the ball until we can run it no more. And then we will punt."

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