Expectations for each position group in Wisconsin football season opener
What I want to see from each position group when the Wisconsin Badgers kick off their 2025 season against Miami (OH).
For the third straight season, as it has each year of the Luke Fickell tenure, Wisconsin football will open its season at home against an opponent from the Mid-American Conference.
This year, the Miami (OH) RedHawks roll into town as 17.5-point underdogs, per DraftKings.
Getting the win — especially with a schedule where they may be few and far between — is of the utmost importance. But as heavy favorites, you’d like to see the Badgers do more than win. You’d like to see them play to their expectations. You’d like them to not be trailing in the fourth quarter, like they were a year ago against Western Michigan.
With that, the following is what I’m looking for from each position group in the opener:
Quarterbacks
First and foremost, stay healthy. I’ve been a harsh critic of Fickell, and in no way am I suggesting that this was the main reason for failure in years one and two of his regime, but he’s had his starting quarterback available for just 13 of 25 games. It’s not easy to win like that.
Billy Edwards Jr. got his knee banged up at fall camp, and he may wear a brace in Week 1 for precautionary purposes. You’re not overly concerned about his health, but you’re also aware that he missed most of Maryland’s final two games last season with an injury. Any time he takes a hit, if for no other reason than trauma associated with the cruel fates of Tanner Mordecai and Tyler Van Dyke in Madison, Badgers fans will rightfully wince.
Otherwise, I’m looking for Edwards to play a clean, efficient game. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 65 percent completion would be lovely (he hit that number exactly last season with the Terps) and of course, no turnovers. If Wisconsin’s backup, Danny O’Neil, does get in the game, I’d like to see him prove that he’s a better option than Braedyn Locke was a year ago despite their similar stature (no batted passes, no seeing ghosts in coverage, no abysmal misses).
Running Backs
This is a group that Fickell called the most competitive on the team. I’d like to see that take shape on the gridiron.
Essentially, I don’t want this to just be the Dilin Jones show, though I am extremely excited to watch the redshirt freshman take carries. I’d love to see how that competitiveness made each and every back better, or at least the three that figure to play (Jones, Darrion Dupree and Cade Yacamelli).
Let Jones soften the RedHawks defense up, but let Dupree come in on passing downs and run some routes. Alternate between the top two backs to keep them both involved and fresh. And when the time is right, use Yacamelli as a change-of-pace option.
Wide Receivers
I want to see how the receivers look in new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ offense. How do they look on the various sweeps and reverses he deploys? How do they look as blockers on running plays? Big plays over the top are obviously the most exciting, but in the first game under Grimes I’ll be looking for the minutiae.
Chris Brooks Jr., in particular, will be worth keeping an eye on. He was a surprise starter on the Badgers’ initial two-deep, likely earning the role due to his size and blocking ability.
I’ll also be watching Trech Kekahuna closely. He’s easily the most talented receiver on the roster in my opinion, and Grimes is in love with his skill set. Is there a concerted effort to get him the ball?
It’ll also be fascinating to evaluate the roles of some of the backups. Can Tyrell Henry emerge as another separator to compliment Kekahuna? How about the role of Dekel Crowdus? Eugene Hilton?
Tight Ends
How involved are they? Wisconsin never really had the requisite athleticism and receiving chops at tight end when Phil Longo was calling the shots on offense. Missouri State transfer Lance Mason is the most athletic receiving threat they’ve had in several years; do his skills translate to Grimes’ offense?
How about his co-starter, Jackson Acker? I’d be shocked if he sees any targets, but it’ll be interesting to see how and where the staff utilizes him as a blocker.
It’s felt like the Badgers’ tight ends have been “one year away” for the entire Fickell era. Even if they don’t get a massive target share, I’d like to see them be a force for good in this offense.
Offensive Line
The time has come for this unit to return to what it once was. I want to see the big fellas up front move bodies. I want to see them impose their will in the running game.
Offensive line coach AJ Blazek has already proven to be an excellent recruiter and an upgrade over Jack Bicknell Jr. from a coaching standpoint. Now, he’s been paired like a fine wine with a run-first play-caller who’s an ex-offensive lineman. That simply needs to yield results in terms of the offensive line’s productivity, especially when your opponent’s heaviest starting defensive lineman checks in at just 270 pounds.
If Wisconsin can’t put on a clinic up front against the RedHawks’ defensive line, get ready for another long season.
Defensive Line
You’d like to see the newcomers make some plays. But more specifically, I want to see the skillsets we’ve seen on film and on the practice field translate to the Camp Randall turf.
I want to see the quick feet of Charles Perkins. I want to see the raw strength of Parker Petersen. I want to see Jay’Viar Suggs eat up blockers with his size.
The Badgers need several of their transfers to pop if they want to have improved defensive line play this season. Don’t fuss over splash plays quite yet — if these transfers can play in the Big Ten, those will come. For now, watch to see if any of them stand out with their aforementioned traits.
Inside Linebackers
This is the position group I’ll be watching the closest in this game, simply due to the task at hand: contain dynamic dual-threat quarterback Dequan Finn.