Conference teams that played 10 P5 opponents in 2022...

[Across The Field]

I could be wrong, but to me, the last place you want to implement any type of spread, high tempo offense is in an area of the country where you lack those type of athletes. So who knows? I guess we will see. If I thought really hard, I'm sure i've been wrong once a long time ago.

That's the beauty of the transfer portal. If anything, Wisconsin could use a jolt into the modern age offensively, but they won't be going to an extreme under Longo.

 

[Across The Field]

I disagree with this for all the reasons ATF has been saying in this thread already.

 

[osubuckeye89]

The downfall is -- the defense was on the field all game long. That is the issue with the hurry up no huddle spread.

The talent just wasnt there either. Like I said Rich Rod recruited like he was still at WVU, not a traditional major conference power.

 

[osubuckeye89]

The toughest part for Wisconsin is going to be finding the skill position talent if they truly are going to open it up and go 4 or 5 wide. The elite skill position talent is usually in the South, Southwest, West. You have a handful in our recruiting footprint, but then you have to try and take those kids from schools like Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, which will be so hard to do.

Wisconsin had the right idea recruiting to their strengths, Will be interesting to see what the offense looks like next year. I shouldn't pass judgement until I see what it is they settle on running. I do hope for Wisconsin fans sake -- it looks nothing like the hurry up spread that Rich Rod put in at UM, as you won't recognize your team.

That's my thoughts exactly.

Fickell better be able to sell it real hard and get some better skill position guys in.

That niche of relying on strong OL and gritty defensive players developing well over the years is what kept Wisconsin strong. That's probably no longer sustainable long term, so I guess it was time for change. But I don't think you are winning big in the B1G with that kind of "wide open" offense with a bunch of mid-low 3* guys in the tank.

 

[Red_Alert]

Fickell will have a couple years to sell his G5 success at Cincy to recruits.

I doubt he'll bring up his (6-7) season at P5 Ohio St though.

 

[NewPhoneWhoDis]

I disagree with this. Longo isn't your traditional Air-Raid OC. His teams, on average, while the OC at Ole Miss and UNC, respectively, ran the ball more than threw the ball. Will it look different schematically from what they've done, yeah, but Longo's offenses like to run the ball. They have a quicker pace than Wisconsin traditionally has, but Wisconsin has always done offense at a turtle like pace. I can see it blowing up in Fickell's face or I could also see it raise their ceiling since they are a threat offensively now. I don't think Mordecai is the best QB fit for this offense, so this 2023 version might throw it more, but when he gets a QB in that can be a threat in the run game, that's when it takes the offense to a different level. But this isn't your typical Air-Raid offense. This isn't Texas Tech(before Wells) or Miss State levels.

I think what people seem to be looking past is -- part of what made Wisconsin's defense so good over the years is -- their offense eating the clock, while keeping their defense fresh. Michigan uses the same philosophy the last couple years.

Just looking at the last 3 years at North Carolina and comparing it to what Wisconsin has been used to. His teams at NC had the ball roughly 5-7 minutes less than Wisconsin teams. That is HUGE. That is having to face multiple extra defensive series a game.

I'm not saying it most definitely won't work, but to me, it seems like a really bizarre fit based on their geographic location and what they have built their program around.

 

[NewPhoneWhoDis]

That's my thoughts exactly.

Fickell better be able to sell it real hard and get some better skill position guys in.

That niche of relying on strong OL and gritty defensive players developing well over the years is what kept Wisconsin strong. That's probably no longer sustainable long term, so I guess it was time for change. But I don't think you are winning big in the B1G with that kind of "wide open" offense with a bunch of mid-low 3* guys in the tank.

They won't -- they aren't going to out skill position Ohio State. Just isn't happening. Don't know why they haven't followed Michigan's blue print of using physical play to level the talent differential. If you punch Ohio State in the mouth -- you have a chance to beat them. If you try to out skill position Ohio State -- you will fail miserably, unless you are a team who recruits like Ohio State, which Wisconsin will never be.

Wisconsin is better off trying to bully Ohio State than trying to out position talent Ohio State. I say Ohio State, as I still see them at the top team in the B1G, even though Michigan has been at the top the last two years and I think it will be 3 in a row after this year, but I'm dreading 2024, as we lose EVERYTHING after this year

 

[NewPhoneWhoDis]

I think the days of the 25 carry running back is over. Int fact, it would not surprise me if Chaz Mellusi becomes the lead RB.

If you are going 4 or 5 wide -- you definitely want to have a quick/fast RB to hit the holes. Braelon Allen is more of a pro style guy, no sure how much success he will have in that type of offense.

Anyway you look at it -- Wisconsin will be a fun team to watch this year just to see extreme overhaul they will be doing on the offensive side of the ball.

 

[Across The Field]

They won't -- they aren't going to out skill position Ohio State. Just isn't happening. Don't know why they haven't followed Michigan's blue print of using physical play to level the talent differential. If you punch Ohio State in the mouth -- you have a chance to beat them. If you try to out skill position Ohio State -- you will fail miserably, unless you are a team who recruits like Ohio State, which Wisconsin will never be.

Wisconsin is better off trying to bully Ohio State than trying to out position talent Ohio State. I say Ohio State, as I still see them at the top team in the B1G, even though Michigan has been at the top the last two years and I think it will be 3 in a row after this year, but I'm dreading 2024, as we lose EVERYTHING after this year

This was exactly what they did in 2010 when they beat our 12-1 Pryor team.

It's ironic you say that about michigan, since that's exactly what you did against us in 2021 but was far from what happened this past season.

 

[Kburjr]

Fickell will have a couple years to sell his G5 success at Cincy to recruits.

I doubt he'll bring up his (6-7) season at P5 Ohio St though.

Nor should he. Ancient history.

 

[Across The Field]

Fickell will have a couple years to sell his G5 success at Cincy to recruits.

I doubt he'll bring up his (6-7) season at P5 Ohio St though.

Well that was over a decade ago, and he was named head coach right around this time that year.

 

[osubuckeye89]

They won't -- they aren't going to out skill position Ohio State. Just isn't happening. Don't know why they haven't followed Michigan's blue print of using physical play to level the talent differential. If you punch Ohio State in the mouth -- you have a chance to beat them. If you try to out skill position Ohio State -- you will fail miserably, unless you are a team who recruits like Ohio State, which Wisconsin will never be.

Wisconsin is better off trying to bully Ohio State than trying to out position talent Ohio State. I say Ohio State, as I still see them at the top team in the B1G, even though Michigan has been at the top the last two years and I think it will be 3 in a row after this year, but I'm dreading 2024, as we lose EVERYTHING after this year

Yep Wisconsin thrived on out bullying people, they knew how to get that special brand of player that fit exactly what they are doing.

Now they are chasing the brand of player that everyone else now a days is. They might get a few of them here and there, but they aren't going to be out recruiting Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State or most of the SEC teams on a regular basis.

I'm not overly optimistic at all this season from what I saw during spring, our Oline scares me, won't matter who the QB is if they look as bad as they did in spring during the season. Could be the year we finally drop 3 games for the first time since 2008.

 

[osubuckeye89]

Fickell will have a couple years to sell his G5 success at Cincy to recruits.

I doubt he'll bring up his (6-7) season at P5 Ohio St though.

Nobody was going to be successful that year at Ohio State after everything that happened leading up to it.

Pieces were there for what ended up being in 2012 but the 2011 team was a lost confused mess with no identity. No matter who the interim coach woulda been.

 

[Kburjr]

Yep Wisconsin thrived on out bullying people, they knew how to get that special brand of player that fit exactly what they are doing.

Now they are chasing the brand of player that everyone else now a days is. They might get a few of them here and there, but they aren't going to be out recruiting Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State or most of the SEC teams on a regular basis.

I'm not overly optimistic at all this season from what I saw during spring, our Oline scares me, won't matter who the QB is if they look as bad as they did in spring during the season. Could be the year we finally drop 3 games for the first time since 2008.

You mean, Wisconsin has a chance?

 

[Across The Field]

Yep Wisconsin thrived on out bullying people, they knew how to get that special brand of player that fit exactly what they are doing.

Now they are chasing the brand of player that everyone else now a days is. They might get a few of them here and there, but they aren't going to be out recruiting Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State or most of the SEC teams on a regular basis.

I'm not overly optimistic at all this season from what I saw during spring, our Oline scares me, won't matter who the QB is if they look as bad as they did in spring during the season. Could be the year we finally drop 3 games for the first time since 2008.

To be fair, the new guys are getting a baptism by fire going up against our DL. If anything, this should have them ready to go up against the majority of the teams we play this year.

 

[osubuckeye89]

To be fair, the new guys are getting a baptism by fire going up against our DL. If anything, this should have them ready to go up against the majority of the teams we play this year.

I mean our DL has not exactly lit the world on fire the last 2 seasons. They are talented on paper going by recruiting rankings, but the on field production has not been the highest level.

Big saving grace is not playing ND until game #4 those 3 games to settle in, even against crap, are huge.

 

[Kburjr]

Also, I think Mike Tressel can continue to keep Wisky's D pretty stout. His resume looks good.

 

[osubuckeye89]

Also, I think Mike Tressel can continue to keep Wisky's D pretty stout. His resume looks good.

I don't think anyone's really doubting the defense. Fickell is well groomed there too.

It's the offense that's going to be a adventure in this change.

 

[Kburjr]

I don't think anyone's really doubting the defense. Fickell is well groomed there too.

It's the offense that's going to be a adventure in this change.

We shall see. BTW, there is a decent chance we are both 7-0 for our meeting 10/28. I hope it is a night game.

 

[osubuckeye89]

We shall see. BTW, there is a decent chance we are both 7-0 for our meeting 10/28. I hope it is a night game.

Wisconsin catches us at a good time, the week after we play Penn State and its @ Wisconsin.

We could realistically have 2 losses going into that game though.