Wisconsin Football 2022- The Jim Leonhard Show ends, the Luke Fickell era begins

[valpocrewsader]

Tonight's Badgers bowl game starting on ESPN2 right now while earlier game finishes up on ESPN.

[DuWayne Steurer]

seems like 1/4 the players from each team are either in the portal or not playing because they're going pro. what is even the point of these games anymore?

[owbc]

The offense isn’t good, but it’s more interesting. 

[Brewcrew82]

A typical Badgers non-NY6 bowl game. Seems like they always care about these things more than the other team and it shows on the field. Not exactly a bad thing, though. 

Chase Wolf lookin pretty good after that terrible int. in the end zone. 

[Jimbo]

So, OK-State had to use a TO on their injury, and ESPN graphics didn't pick it up?  Why else would they let the clock run out and not use their third?  To me, kinda took away from the ending, thinking there was still some drama when actually the game was over.  And I was watching the ESPN feed via cable and not the app, technical issues throughout the game.

 

[Jimbo]

2 hours ago, DuWayne Steurer said:

seems like 1/4 the players from each team are either in the portal or not playing because they're going pro. what is even the point of these games anymore?

Yeah, to me this files under the Whats Bugging You thread.  Bad enough they leave early to go pro, but recently the trend has been to skip the bowls games.  My interest in college sports is slowly dwindling.

 

[Jim French Stepstool]

3 hours ago, DuWayne Steurer said:

seems like 1/4 the players from each team are either in the portal or not playing because they're going pro. what is even the point of these games anymore?

It's for the guys--the majority, let's not forget--who actually decide to suit up for all the games their team competes in. 

What bothers me is these announcements on social media, followed with "Always a Badger", or whatever school they played for. I'm sorry, but no. You quit. Maybe it's for what most people would consider a good reason, but you still quit.

Happy for Chase Wolf. Not many can say they had their greatest moments in their final game. Certainly not a world-beater QB but a guy who stuck it out despite limited opportunities. Folks like that usually have happy, successful lives. EDIT: Apparently Wolf announced after the game that he's coming back next season. Color me surprised.

[Jim French Stepstool]

57 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

So, OK-State had to use a TO on their injury, and ESPN graphics didn't pick it up?  Why else would they let the clock run out and not use their third?  To me, kinda took away from the ending, thinking there was still some drama when actually the game was over.  And I was watching the ESPN feed via cable and not the app, technical issues throughout the game.

 

When they had the injury I was thinking the same thing, checked the graphic, and it showed 2 TOs left for Okie St. So I think they had it right, unless they used one earlier in the half that I'm unaware of. It's possible Gundy had one left & didn't bother once UW picked up the final 1st down. Too bad they sniffed out the naked boot; Wolf running it in would've been a perfect capper for his night.

[Oxy]

Bowl games are fun.  Certainly they don't "matter" in the same sense that the playoff games "matter"...but guess what?  Those playoff games don't "matter" in the same sense that things that ACTUALLY matter within the grand scheme of life.

But, it's fun.

Also, these minor bowl games actually take on MUCH more meaning within the modern landscape of transfers and draft-eligible sit-outs.  It gives a lot of young guys a chance to simultaneously play what is basically an exhibition game under big bright lights under extraordinary circumstances.

Sure, "nationally" these games don't matter one bit, but other than the NFL (and MAYBE college FB playoffs), there isn't really a "national" sporting event that everybody cares about anyway.

[UpandIn]

3 hours ago, Jimbo said:

So, OK-State had to use a TO on their injury, and ESPN graphics didn't pick it up?  Why else would they let the clock run out and not use their third?  To me, kinda took away from the ending, thinking there was still some drama when actually the game was over.  And I was watching the ESPN feed via cable and not the app, technical issues throughout the game.

 

I don't think so. I think they used a TO then.

They announced the TO on the broadcast before they recognized the injured player. It was with...I think 2:47 left in the game.

 

I think Gundy just...left it in his pocket...despite the fact that he would have had ~30 seconds left or the Badgers could have had a kick blocked. I don't, seemed like a bad move to me. 

[Jimbo]

Oh, one other thing...naked bootleg on the final play?  What were the odds of a strip-six?  Same thing with the two-point try at the end of Nebraska, a Cornhusker return would have given them the win.

 

[Brewcrew82]

It will be interesting to see how the QB situation plays out now that it looks like Wolf is returning for a 6th year. He's got a lively arm and is more of a dual threat; I'll give him that, but his decision-making and propensity to throw the ball up for grabs have me seriously questioning whether he can be the full-time starter. He is what he is at this point...

It's a shame we didn't get to see Burkett at all. I was intrigued enough with what I saw in his token appearance in the New Mexico State game that I would have loved to see him get an extended run of game time. Oh well, that's what the resurrected spring game will be for...(seriously a disgrace that PC ever axed it in the first place)

Evers is the favorite for the job imo as one of the top signal-callers from the 2022 recruiting class. Oklahoma didn't see enough to play him on what was their worst team in a while, but what true freshman is ready to start right away for a big-time P5 program? He's certainly got all the tools...

Supposedly we are still in on Armstrong, but he looks destined for NC State or another non-Badger program at this point. There are also other options out there, like Spencer Sanders, but the chances of us landing a proven P5 starter that is a clear upgrade are low imo. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

18 minutes ago, Brewcrew82 said:

It will be interesting to see how the QB situation plays out now that it looks like Wolf is returning for a 6th year. He's got a lively arm and is more of a dual threat; I'll give him that, but his decision-making and propensity to throw the ball up for grabs have me seriously questioning whether he can be the full-time starter. He is what he is at this point...

It's a shame we didn't get to see Burkett at all. I was intrigued enough with what I saw in his token appearance in the New Mexico State game that I would have loved to see him get an extended run of game time. Oh well, that's what the resurrected spring game will be for...(seriously a disgrace that PC ever axed it in the first place)

Evers is the favorite for the job imo as one of the top signal-callers from the 2022 recruiting class. Oklahoma didn't see enough to play him on what was their worst team in a while, but what true freshman is ready to start right away for a big-time P5 program? He's certainly got all the tools...

Supposedly we are still in on Armstrong, but he looks destined for NC State or another non-Badger program at this point. There are also other options out there, like Spencer Sanders, but the chances of us landing a proven P5 starter that is a clear upgrade are low imo. 

I was really happy for Wolf yesterday. But I think "experienced backup" is his ceiling. LaCrue, Evers & Burkett are all unknowns, but all have enough to be at least slightly intriguing. I agree Evers would be the best bet right now.

Did anyone else notice how good the special teams looked last night? That was supposedly a group Fickell spent time with over the last few weeks.

[Brewcrew82]

4 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

I was really happy for Wolf yesterday. But I think "experienced backup" is his ceiling. LaCrue, Evers & Burkett are all unknowns, but all have enough to be at least slightly intriguing. I agree Evers would be the best bet right now.

Did anyone else notice how good the special teams looked last night? That was supposedly a group Fickell spent time with over the last few weeks.

Yeah, I forgot about LaCrue. I'm intrigued about his upside, but I would probably rank him last in terms of likelihood to be the starting QB in 2023.

They did look improved. Dike arguably should have had a KO return for a TD. I'm all for our ST no longer costing us games. The Anthony Lotti debacles (who drops the ball during a punt?) in the BIG championship and the Rose Bowl still give me nightmares. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

8 hours ago, Oxy said:

 

  It gives a lot of young guys a chance to simultaneously play what is basically an exhibition game under big bright lights under extraordinary circumstances.

I've always liked that aspect of bowls, that guys who weren't playing much suddenly step up based on their development during the extra few weeks of practice. JT Seagraves got a little run at TE & caught a pass. Vinny Anthony returned a kick. Maybe one more score in the middle 2 quarters & Burkett would've gotten some snaps. And a salute to Julius Davis. It would've been easy for him to go somewhere else. Maybe he still challenges Mellusi for #2 TB carries.

[nate82]

26 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

I was really happy for Wolf yesterday. But I think "experienced backup" is his ceiling. LaCrue, Evers & Burkett are all unknowns, but all have enough to be at least slightly intriguing. I agree Evers would be the best bet right now.

Did anyone else notice how good the special teams looked last night? That was supposedly a group Fickell spent time with over the last few weeks.

Burkett is about the same as Wolf.  I don't see Burkett being anything more than an emergency QB.  Evers is the best prospect with LaCrue probably being redshirted.  So I think it will be Evers QB1 Wolf QB2 and Burkett as QB3 if the Badgers even keep 4 QB's that is for '23.  LaCrue maybe the emergency QB over Burkett but that is a long ways to go before spring and finding out who will be staying and who will be going.   

[Brewcrew82]

Thank God it looks like we'll actually have a spring game this year to see with our own eyes how the QB situation is taking shape. Just another reason to be pissed at Paul Chryst...

[CheezWizHed]

The Bowl games are still interesting IMO despite the NFL draft and transfer portal defections.  But you simply can't expect it to be the same as the football team a month ago.  Its almost like watching a preview of next year.  

However, that does make it a total crapshoot on how the game will turn out. I'm sure Vegas "loves" it... 

Sure looked like the Badgers were going to walk away with it in the first half (probably should've had 2-3 more TD if it weren't for shoe-string tackles). OKST made it interesting at the end.

And for the 3rd TO, I was assuming he sat on it as we had enough downs to kill the clock anyway. 4th down and we were at the 10yard line (?)... just have Wolf run around in the backfield and wing the ball up the the air out of bounds. 

[LouisEly]

On 12/28/2022 at 7:43 AM, Jimbo said:

Oh, one other thing...naked bootleg on the final play?  What were the odds of a strip-six?  Same thing with the two-point try at the end of Nebraska, a Cornhusker return would have given them the win.

 

I think it was an attempt to get Wolf, a senior who hadn't yet announced that he would be back, a TD.  When he saw it wasn't going to work, he went down quickly and didn't try to fight for any yardage.

[MVP2110]

This is the 3rd highly sought after QB that Fickell & Longo have gotten in less than a month on the job. This is a new era of Wisconsin Football

[SomewhereInTime]

What a program turnaround in just a few weeks!

[Jim French Stepstool]

I don't want to throw cold water on this if he comes----he'd be the odds-on bet to start. But I couldn't help but notice 22 INTs thrown in the last two seasons. 

The other numbers certainly are impressive though.

[homer]

12 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

I don't want to throw cold water on this if he comes----he'd be the odds-on bet to start. But I couldn't help but notice 22 INTs thrown in the last two seasons. 

The other numbers certainly are impressive though.

right but it's 22 INTs total in two years (so avg of 11) in 450 attempts per year. By comparison, Mertz had 286 attempts this season and threw 10 INTs. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

4 minutes ago, homer said:

right but it's 22 INTs total in two years in 450 attempts per year. By comparison, Mertz had 286 attempts this season and threw the same number of picks. 

Very true. Like I said, he'd be odds-on to start, and he certainly was more effective than Mertz throughout his career. I guess my other concern would be AAC to B10. The counter to that is, the numbers he put up in limited chances while at Oklahoma were impressive as well. And the guys who beat him out there were very talented kids.

So, maybe just a thimble of cold water.?

[UpandIn]

3 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Very true. Like I said, he'd be odds-on to start, and he certainly was more effective than Mertz throughout his career. I guess my other concern would be AAC to B10. The counter to that is, the numbers he put up in limited chances while at Oklahoma were impressive as well. And the guys who beat him out there were very talented kids.

So, maybe just a thimble of cold water.?

I wasn't paying close enough attention and wondered when SMU moved to the ACC. 

Anyway...feels like they're going to get a lot more easy throws, we're going to keep drives alive with QBs running and he's a 6th guy. But hey, with Evers, they've at least got options.

And as someone who said there's almost no way Chryst is fired(I just did NOT believe UW would be that aggressive) and thought we couldn't get QBs because we had Mertz here, a highly rated QB, Fickell is DESTROYING that idea. 

3 in about a week now. 

Fickell could easily go 10-2 heading into the B1G Title Game next year based on the schedule. Probably won't in Yr1, but he's bringing in a whole lot of talent right away and flipping a lot of recruits.