The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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130 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY ANDREW HUSSEY After beginning the season with sky-high expectations and a No. 4 ranking in the pre- season Associated Press poll, Wisconsin un- derachieved in 2018, going 7-5 in the regu- lar season. That marked the Badgers' worst regular season since 2007, when the program also went 7-5. In order to rebound after its disappointing campaign, Wisconsin will have to lean on junior Jonathan Taylor, who is a Heisman Trophy candidate and the reigning Doak Walker Award winner as the nation's top running back. The 5-11, 219-pounder led the country with an average of 168.8 rushing yards per game, 21.9 ahead of second-place Darrell Henderson of Memphis. Finishing with 2,194 yards, he became the 29th player in Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) history to eclipse 2,000 in a season, while his total stands as the ninth most in history. Of his 307 attempts, 61 went for at least 10 yards — the most by any FBS player in 2018. The Badgers lost quarterback Alex Horni- brook, who transferred to Florida State in the offseason after going 26-6 as the starter in Madison. Either junior Jack Coan or freshman Graham Mertz will replace him. In four starts in 2018 with Hornibrook out with injury, Coan went 2-2, completing 60.2 percent of his passes for 515 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Mertz comes to Madison as the No. 2 pro-style quarterback and No. 42 overall prospect in the 2019 class per Rivals. The strength of the program is usually the offensive line, but the Badgers have only one starter returning in redshirt junior Ty- ler Biadasz, who has opened 27 games and was graded as the nation's top center by Pro Football Focus in 2018. Other than Biadasz, Wisconsin's line is inexperienced, though the Badgers have traditionally churned out strong fronts. On the defensive side of the ball, Wiscon- sin lost inside linebackers T.J. Edwards and Ryan Connelly, who were the Badgers' two leading tacklers in 2018. The duo combined for 201 total stops and 21.5 tackles for loss last season. While not playing the same position as Edwards and Connelly, fifth-year senior out- side linebacker Zack Baun could be a strong candidate to lead Wisconsin's defense after he finished third on the team with 63 tackles, and fourth with 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2018. He also led the way with eight QB hurries and is one of only two returning starters in the front seven. Redshirt sophomore defensive end Matt Henningsen is the other after becoming the first Badger walk-on since 1990 to start a season opener as a freshman. He was placed on scholarship after totaling 32 tackles last year. Under coordinator and longtime NFL safety Jim Leonhard, the back end should be the strength of the defense. Wisconsin only gave up 189.1 passing yards per game last year to rank 22nd nationally, and three starters return in sophomore cornerbacks Faion Hicks and Rachad Wildgoose plus sophomore safety Scott Nelson. Taylor can only carry Wisconsin so far on his own. In order to climb back to the top of the Big Ten West Division again, the Badgers will need improved play from their quarterback and wide receivers. Whoever starts at quarterback will be tested early with Michigan visiting the third week of the season. Wisconsin will look to rebound after losing 38-13 in Ann Arbor last season, while the Wolverines have not won in Madison since 2001. Notes Wisconsin has made 17 straight bowl games, the longest run in the Big Ten and fifth longest nationally … The Bad- gers have 10 consecutive seasons with at least eight wins and have the fifth most wins in the last 15 years among Power Five teams … Running back Jonathan Taylor, center Tyler Biadasz and offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen were all named to Athlon's preseason first-team All-Big Ten squad. ❑ Wisconsin Will Lean On Star Back Jonathan Taylor 2019 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2018 Result Aug. 30 at South Florida — Sept. 7 Central Michigan — Sept. 21 Michigan L, 38-13 Sept. 28 Northwestern L, 31-17 Oct. 5 Kent State — Oct. 12 Michigan State — Oct. 19 at Illinois W, 49-20 Oct. 26 at Ohio State — Nov. 9 Iowa W, 28-17 Nov. 16 at Nebraska W, 41-24 Nov. 23 Purdue W, 47-44 (OT) Nov. 30 at Minnesota L, 37-15 PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Jake Ferguson, R-So., TE — The 6-5, 247-pounder played in all 13 games and made two starts last year … Was Wisconsin's second-leading receiver in 2018 with 36 receptions for 456 yards and four touchdowns … Is the grandson of UW athletics director and former football coach Barry Alvarez, plus his father played football at Nebraska and his older brother played at Wisconsin. Defense: Zack Baun, 5th-Sr., OLB — Missed all of 2017 with a foot injury, but returned to start all 13 games at outside linebacker in 2018 … Was third on the team with 63 tackles; also had eight QB hurries, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception … In his Wisconsin career, has 78 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Taylor rushed for 2,194 yards and 16 touch- downs in 2018 on his way to winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best run- ning back. PHOTO BY TOM LYNN/COURTESY WISCONSIN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS GAME 3 • WISCONSIN BADGERS • SEPT. 21 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: U-M leads 51-15-1 First Meeting: U-M 10, Wisconsin 6 (Nov. 15, 1892 at Madison, Wis.) Last Meeting: U-M 38, Wisconsin 13 (Nov. 13, 2018 at Ann Arbor) Head Coach: Paul Chryst, 42-12 at Wisconsin (5th year) and 61-31 overall (8th year) 2018 In Review: 8-5 overall, 5-4 Big Ten (Tied 2nd West) Final 2018 Ranking: Received votes in Associated Press and coaches' polls Returning Starters: 13 (5 offense, 6 defense, 2 specialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2018 (Pinstripe Bowl vs. Miami, W 35-3) Big Ten Championships (last): 14 (2012) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Jack Coan (515 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT) Rushing: Jonathan Taylor (2,194 yards, 16 TD) Receiving: A.J. Taylor (521 yards, 3 TD) Tackles: Zack Baun (63) Sacks: Baun (2.5) Interceptions: Madison Cone (2)