Wisconsin OOC preview with emphasis on BG
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:15 pm
By Tim Gutowski
When it comes to September football in Madison, there usually isn't much to stir Badgers fans imaginations. Barry Alvarez's UW teams have always utilized the opening few games as an extended warm-up for conference play. The typical result is a slate of patsies generally dispatched with average efforts.
There are exceptions, of course, and the Badgers occasionally flub a pre-conference game. This year's schedule looks similar, but upon a closer look it contains some dangerous games. It's no guarantee that the Badgers will open Big 10 play vs. Michigan with a spotless 3-0 record.
For openers, Mid-American Conference contenders Bowling Green State and stud quarterback Omar Jacobs visit Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3. The Falcons rained points down upon their opponents last season, outscoring them 532 to 282 (an average final score of 44 to 24), culminating the year with a GMAC Bowl victory over Memphis. Their offensive prowess is slightly disconcerting in light of the graduation losses within Wisconsin's defensive line and secondary.
Jacobs, a preseason All-American candidate, is the man to worry about. The redshirt junior (who isn't likely to see a senior season) threw 41 touchdowns against just 4 picks last year, the best ratio in NCAA I-A history. How good is Jacobs? Well, in his first collegiate start at Oklahoma, he completed 24-of-41 passes for 218 yards, 2 TDs and no interceptions. How's that for poise? Plus, at 6-4, 226 pounds, he's difficult to drag down and was sacked just 10 times last season.
That resume is impressive enough, but the Badgers will also be starting some newcomers in the backfield. Corners Brett Bell and Allen Langford will be sternly tested, and even freshman CB Shane Carter should see a lot of action against BGSU. Led by future head coach Bret Bielema, don't expect the defense to be get run (or passed) over by the Falcons -- but UW's offense will need to put up some points to win.
The defense will get a break when Temple, the newest member of the Mid-American Conference, visits Camp Randall on Sept. 10. The Owls went just 2-9 last year, including a 70-16 loss at home to BGSU, their worst defeat of the season. Plus, leading passer and rusher Walter Washington played his final season as an Owl in 2004.......
..........If UW can avoid a home loss in the opener to Bowling Green -- and I'm not sure a lot of experts would even consider that to be an upset -- the road should be paved for a 3-0 start.
http://www.onmilwaukee.com/sports/artic ... 82305.html
When it comes to September football in Madison, there usually isn't much to stir Badgers fans imaginations. Barry Alvarez's UW teams have always utilized the opening few games as an extended warm-up for conference play. The typical result is a slate of patsies generally dispatched with average efforts.
There are exceptions, of course, and the Badgers occasionally flub a pre-conference game. This year's schedule looks similar, but upon a closer look it contains some dangerous games. It's no guarantee that the Badgers will open Big 10 play vs. Michigan with a spotless 3-0 record.
For openers, Mid-American Conference contenders Bowling Green State and stud quarterback Omar Jacobs visit Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3. The Falcons rained points down upon their opponents last season, outscoring them 532 to 282 (an average final score of 44 to 24), culminating the year with a GMAC Bowl victory over Memphis. Their offensive prowess is slightly disconcerting in light of the graduation losses within Wisconsin's defensive line and secondary.
Jacobs, a preseason All-American candidate, is the man to worry about. The redshirt junior (who isn't likely to see a senior season) threw 41 touchdowns against just 4 picks last year, the best ratio in NCAA I-A history. How good is Jacobs? Well, in his first collegiate start at Oklahoma, he completed 24-of-41 passes for 218 yards, 2 TDs and no interceptions. How's that for poise? Plus, at 6-4, 226 pounds, he's difficult to drag down and was sacked just 10 times last season.
That resume is impressive enough, but the Badgers will also be starting some newcomers in the backfield. Corners Brett Bell and Allen Langford will be sternly tested, and even freshman CB Shane Carter should see a lot of action against BGSU. Led by future head coach Bret Bielema, don't expect the defense to be get run (or passed) over by the Falcons -- but UW's offense will need to put up some points to win.
The defense will get a break when Temple, the newest member of the Mid-American Conference, visits Camp Randall on Sept. 10. The Owls went just 2-9 last year, including a 70-16 loss at home to BGSU, their worst defeat of the season. Plus, leading passer and rusher Walter Washington played his final season as an Owl in 2004.......
..........If UW can avoid a home loss in the opener to Bowling Green -- and I'm not sure a lot of experts would even consider that to be an upset -- the road should be paved for a 3-0 start.
http://www.onmilwaukee.com/sports/artic ... 82305.html
