Last season the Wisconsin Badgers dominated the Big Ten West Division and were 6 points away from being crowned Big Ten Conference champions. Wisconsin finished the regular season 12-0 and lost to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game 27-21. The Badgers finished strong in Miami, Florida however. They defeated Miami 34-24 in the Orange Bowl and finished the year 13-1. It was a memorable year for Badger fans. Paul Chryst has cemented himself as one of the best coaches in the Big Ten. Expectations are high this season and rightfully so. Wisconsin seems poised to head back to the Big Ten championship.
On offense, Wisconsin is returning 10 of 11 starters from last season. The spotlight will be on sophomore running back Jonathan Taylor, who had an outstanding freshman year. Taylor finished 6th in the Heisman trophy voting and rushed for 1,977 yards and 13 touchdowns. Their most explosive wide receiver, Qunitez Cephus, will be returning after missing the final 5 games of the 2017 season due to a right leg injury. All 5 starters from a solid offensive line will return to Madison to lead the way. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook will also make headlines in the fall. The left-handed junior played well enough to get the Badgers to 12-0. But his 15 interceptions need to be reduced for the upcoming season.
On defense the Badgers have to replace 8 starters from last year. The defense has been the strength of Wisconsin since Paul Chryst took over as head coach. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonard made the Badgers' defense into one of the best, not just in the Big Ten, but in the nation. His biggest challenges include finding effective pass rushers and cornerbacks to ensure a strong pass defense. Inside linebackers T.J. Edwards and Ryan Connelly return as the cornerstones of the defense in the middle.
The Badgers are heavily favored to win the Big Ten West division again. 4 of their first 6 games will be at home in Madison. Two of their biggest games in October and November are on the road. They will play Michigan at the Big House and Penn State in Happy Valley. Both games will test the Badgers late in the season. They could win 10 or 11 games in route to another Big Ten Championship appearance. Paul Chryst has made his program one to be reckoned with and a Big Ten power. The sky's the limit for Wisconsin. Who knows what a Big Ten championship could mean for this team. A Rose Bowl appearance? A place in the College Football Playoff? The Wisconsin Badgers have a lot to look forward to in the 2018 football season.
