Saturday, Sept. 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Camp Randall Stadium - Madison, WI
FS1
MRO STAFF REPORT
A new era in Wisconsin football officially begins Saturday, and the Buffalo Bulls will have a "better than" front row seat for the event.
The Badgers are turning the page with a new head coach as the 2023 squad is led by former Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Luke Fickell. He became a hot coaching commodity after enjoying considerable success at UC. Paul Chryst was fired after five games that left Wisconsin at 2-3 starting 2022. With an interim coach at the helm, the Badgers eventually finished last season with a 7-6 mark (4-5 Big Ten). That included a 24-17 victory over Oklahoma State in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
Just how quickly it will take for Fickell's influence to permeate the program remains to be seen. He and his staff did relatively well recruiting for the Bearcats, and the Badgers are probably expecting good things in the near future.
Buffalo, meanwhile, has reason to expect good things this year. Quarterback Cole Snyder is back, and UB should be able to run the ball, as well.
Here's more on the two teams . . .
>> With a new head coach AND offensive coordinator (Phil Longer, UNC), the Badgers will likely become more aggressive. That process is often more of a journey than a quick fix. However, Fickell is quickly addressing personnel. >> Wisconsin ranked 90th in total offense last year. It was 113th in passing offense and 45th in run offense.
>> QB Graham Mertz is now at Florida, so UW is leaning into the tranfer portal. Senior Tanner Mordecai is one option. He started all 12 games at SMU last year, completing 67.8 percent of 454 passes totaling 3,628 yards (12th NCAA) and a school record 39 TDs (5th NCAA) with just 10 interceptions.
>> The targets should be there. Not only do last year's top three receiving targets return, several talented transfers are joining that mix.
>> Wisconsin has often been synonymous with running the football, and a big playmaker is back to lead the 2023 Badger ground game. Braelon Allen (6-2, 245, JR) averaged 5.2 ypc while running for 1,242 yards and 11 TDs last year. Senior Chez Mellusi (5-11, 212) added 473 yards and two scores to the cause while averaging 4.2 ypc.
>> The offensive line returns significant talent, although it has proved better at run blocking than pass protection. Expect improvement in the latter over time.
>> Aside from needing a little more out of the pass rush, Wisconsin's defense should be solid. Granted, it must replace LB Nick Hergig and NT Keeanu Benton (both now with Pittsburg Steelers), but suitable replacements are in the wings.
>> Going back just two years, Wisconsin led the nation in run defense. New defensive coordinator Mike Tressell fashioned a No. 2 pass defense. If Tressels schemes work out, UW could become a destination for talented DBs. Combined with a solid run defense, it would make for some miserable days for many opponents.
>> Safety Jason Maitre (Boston College) moves into the Badger secondary, which experienced some turnover. Senior Alexander Smith and sophomore Ricardo Hallman figure at the corners.
BUFFALO BULLS
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FINAL THOUGHTS
Fickell actually turned the Cincinnati program around relatively quickly, but they did go 4-8 in year one before following with a pair of 11-win seasons.
Wisconsin isn't in need of that kind of rebuild, and the transfer portal can provide a quick boost when combined with some pretty good existing talent.
The Badgers should be a running force right away and show passing improvement as the season progresses. The defense should be solid enough, and Buffalo should expect a stern test.
For their part, the Bulls have some weapons on offense and a relatively experienced defense. Linebacker Shaun Dolac should have a busy day.
Stopping some drives - especially early -- would help, as Wisconsin has a history of wearing down opponents.