As we have seen in the past, this game could get lopsided quickly. What will it take to keep the game close?

I think the game will be a big indication of where the program is headed with Luke Fickell. In seasons past I don’t believe anyone in those locker rooms truly believed they could hang with good teams and it showed on the field. If we couldn’t overpower a team, we were in in trouble and everyone knew it.

I believe Fickell is finally getting the teams swagger back. In my opinion the Team goes out there feeling like they can win if they do their jobs. Not like last year when some on the team were defeated in knowing no matter how good of a block they made someone schematically is unaccounted for on every play.

Does Coach Fick believe he can win with these players? Does he believe they can keep it close? We shall see….

I was at SLUH last week for practice and a game. This kid is a stud and will be a national recruit. Former teammate of current Wisconsin WR Chris Brooks Jr. He seems to like Wisconsin and is friends with Brooks...
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Current Standings:

Wisconsin 3-1 (Ohio St. (H), Indiana (A), Northwestern (H), Nebraska (H), Minnesota (A) 7-2 Big Ten
Iowa 3-2 (bye, Northwestern (H), Rutgers (H), Illinois (H), Nebraska (A) 6-3 Big Ten
Minnesota 2-2 (Michigan St. (H), Illinois (H), Purdue (A), Ohio State (A), Wisconsin (H) 5-4 Big Ten
Nebraska 2-2 (Purdue (H), Michigan St (A), Maryland (H), Wisconsin (H), Iowa (H) 6-3 Big Ten
Northwestern 1-3 (Maryland (H), Iowa (H), Wisconsin (A), Purdue (H), Illinois (A) 2-7 Big Ten
Purdue 1-3 (Nebraska (A), Michigan (A), Minnesota (H), Northwestern (A), Indiana (H) 3-6 Big Ten
Illinois 1-4 (Bye, Minnesota (A), Indiana (H), Iowa (A), Northwestern (H) 2-7 Big Ten

Likely wins in bold, losses not in bold, toss up wins bold and underlined

Beside the obvious of hoping Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota lose. I think the most important remaining key games are: Wisconsin vs. Nebraska, Iowa vs Nebraska, Wisconsin vs Minnesota, Rutgers vs Iowa, Maryland vs. Nebraska. I know Iowa vs. Nebraska is a toss up game but I had to pick a loss for Iowa somewhere and that was the most likely loss. Honestly with Deacon at QB they could easily lose to anyone remaining on their schedule, and I would like to see a loss earlier so we aren't hoping for a loss vs. Nebraska at the end of the year.

I know we don't match up well with Michigan, Penn St, or Ohio St in the potential Big Ten Championship but I really want to see us make that game to get the extra playing time for hopefully some younger guys. Yes we could get beat bad , but I'd rather be playing and competing than sitting at home for a long rest before the bowl games.

I didn't expect Winter to be a player this year. I saw a skilled 6'11 200 lb guy who needs to bulk up. I see that he's added about 20 lbs or so, so that should help. Is that enough to get him into the rotation? I saw him as a Reuvers type guy, only using him if we needed him. Apparently, he's more than that! I'm excited about this year!!!

What positions would you like to see the staff address in the off season (yes, I know it’s early and a lot can change.

For me, I’d rank positions of need like this:

1. OLB
2. RB (especially if Allen and Mellusi are gone)
3. DT
4. TE
5. QB
6. OL
7. CB
8. WR
9. ILB
10. DE
11. S

More on Austin Alexander out of Kentucky, who recently picked up an offer from Wisconsin. Told me he was planning to visit this weekend for the Ohio State game.

MADISON, Wis. – Fifth-year senior forward Tyler Wahl was named to the preseason watchlist for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award, as announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

Named after Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, the annual honor, in its tenth year, recognizes the top small forwards in Division I men's college basketball.

One of twenty players in the country chosen, this marks the second straight season that Wahl has been named to the preseason watchlist for the Julius Erving Award.

Wahl joins Nigel Hayes (2016) and Sam Dekker (2015) as UW's only preseason candidates for the award. Both Hayes and Dekker went on to become finalists for the award in their respective seasons.

The Julius Erving Award preseason watchlist will be narrowed down to 10 players in late January, with plans to announce the award's five finalists in late March.

A two-time Big Ten champion, Wahl has developed into one of the most versatile players in college basketball. Having played in 126 games (85 starts), Wahl is 32 points away from becoming just the eighth player in program history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 assists.

The Lakeville, Minnesota native finished last season ranked second on the team in rebounding (6.3 rpg), third in assists (2.3 apg), third in steals (1.2 spg) and fourth in scoring (11.3 ppg).

After being sidelined with injury for a three-game stretch in the middle of the season, Wahl began returning to form and finished last season with momentum, averaging 10.9 points (48.2% FG), 7.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game over the final 10 games while leading UW to the semifinals of the NIT.

One of Wahl's best individual performances came against No. 3 Kansas at last year's Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, in which he matched his career high scoring 23 points, plus 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists.

JULIUS ERVING AWARD PRESEASON WATCHLIST
Anton Watson – Gonzaga
Arthur Kaluma – Kansas State
Baylor Scheierman – Creighton
Coen Carr – Michigan State
Dalton Knecht – Tennessee
David Joplin – Marquette
Dillon Jones – Weber State
Glenn Taylor Jr. – St. John’s
Harrison Ingram – North Carolina
Jalen Bridges – Baylor
Jamison Battle – Ohio State
Jaylon Tyson – California
Johnny Furphy – Kansas
Justin Edwards – Kentucky
Mark Mitchell – Duke
Matthew Cleveland – Miami
Payton Sandfort – Iowa
Tucker DeVries – Drake
Tyler Burton – Villanova
Tyler Wahl – Wisconsin

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Watching PSU vs OSU and am NOT impressed with either QB! Allar is 6 for 17 for around 90 yards and most of his incompletions aren't even close. McCord is 11 for 21 for 125, constantly throwing behind his receivers.

For me, it is the lack of a running game. During the winter and spring, we heard about spreading the field and making the defense play boundary to boundary, opening the box and running lanes. At this point, that is feeling very hallow, and is the biggest surprise to me.

What say you?

Never really hear anything about him, but he has shown an ability to shoot from outside in last years summer highlights and this years red/white scrimmage. Any idea what’s holding him back? Seems like a big that can shoot brings more problems for your opponents and creates space for driving.