The 2024 season will be a turning point for the Wisconsin football program.
That could mean a turning point in either direction, to be specific. Not much has changed with the program since its 7-6 2023 campaign in year one under Luke Fickell. But around it, the Big Ten now includes 18 programs and adopted a division-less structure. Wisconsin is with many programs in facing a crossroads entering the new landscape. Will the program ascend with the Big Ten’s powers? Or will it fall into the larger pack of mediocrity?
Related: Big Ten football 2024 Las Vegas win totals, picks: Record predictions for the entire 18-team conference
There is legitimate reason to believe the Badgers will move toward the former in 2024. The program got another offseason to learn and evolve in offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s new system, plus welcomed an impressive transfer class. Continuity matters in sports, but especially for a college football program working to evolve under a new head coach.
The one big issue is the schedule. Wisconsin hosts top-ranked Alabama, Oregon and Penn State, plus has challenging road contests at USC, Iowa and Nebraska. The Badgers could be substantially better than they were in 2023 but finish with a similar record.
That is the focus of today’s preview of the season, looking at the biggest questions surrounding the team. If the questions are answered, Wisconsin could be in for a resurgent season:
Will Phil Longo’s offense click?
Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo works with the team’s quarterbacks during practice on Tuesday April 9, 2024 at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Credit: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
The biggest variable in Wisconsin’s future under Fickell is whether Longo’s air raid can work. Longo has a track record of strong offensive numbers and production. But his success came at Ole Miss and North Carolina, two programs in geographical locations more catered to an air raid.
The upper Midwest is not that. This is not to say it won’t click, but the jury is still out on this new offensive approach. The benefit of the doubt went out of the window during the team’s intense struggles in 2023 — especially against the conference’s best defenses.
Another year of continuity, more practice and personnel overhaul could lead to better results. But it’s the team’s biggest question entering the season.
Can 2021 Tyler Van Dyke show up?
Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke throws a pass as coach Luke Fickell watches during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Credit: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Van Dyke has the ability to break through under Longo. But his 2022 and 2023 performances won’t cut it for the offense this season.
2022: 63.2% completion, 1,835 yards, 10 touchdowns, 5 interceptions
2023: 65.8% completion, 2,703 yards, 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions
The 2021 version of the former Miami quarterback is necessary — stats from a season now a full three years in the rearview mirror.
2021: 62.3% completion, 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
The potential is there, but there’s a question of which version of Tyler Van Dyke will appear when the season begins.
Does more roster turnover lead to better results?
Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker turns upfield after catching a pass during the team’s final spring practice, which was held on the field north of Camp Randall Stadium on Thursday May 2, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. Credit: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
It was another busy offseason of roster turnover under Fickell, Longo and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel. 10 members of the team’s two-deep entering the season are transfer additions from this offseason, a number that nears 100% when also including last offseason’s transfer class.
More players who directly fit Wisconsin’s systems on each side of the ball should lead to better results. But will those transfer additions clearly lead to an uptick in wins? Or is the roster still a few years away.
Are the defensive transfers as advertised?
Wisconsin outside linebacker Leon Lowery goes through a drill during the team’s 10th spring practice, which was held on a practice field north of Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday April 20, 2024. Credit: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Wisconsin’s transfer class includes two starting outside linebackers in Leon Lowery (Syracuse) and John Puis (William & Mary), a starting inside linebacker in Jaheim Thomas (Arkansas), two starting-caliber defensive linemen in Brandon Lane (Stephen F. Austin) and Elijah Hills (Albany) and a starting-caliber cornerback in R.J. Delancy (Toledo).
Wisconsin’s defense is still anchored by returning stars S Hunter Wohler and CB Ricardo Hallman. But the unit’s success is largely in the hands of the transfer additions.
Does Wisconsin’s offensive line return to its 2019 form?
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson (79) goes through a drill during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Credit: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Wisconsin’s offensive line will eventually return to its pre-2020 form. Is 2024 the year?
Returning tackles Jack Nelson (LT) and Riley Mahlman (RT) form a formidable group, and the interior of Joe Brunner (LG), Jake Renfro (C) and Joe Huber (RG) project to help the group to improve over last year’s performance.
But playing offensive line in an air raid is far different from in a Paul Chryst offense. Not only is this a substantial question in the sense of it’s challenging to predict, but it’s also absolutely critical to the team’s success.
Is the team better in late-game situations?
Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Luke Fickell emphasized late-game situations as an area of improvement when he arrived in November of 2022. Despite that, the team did not improve in that area in 2023.
Wisconsin lost close games against Washington State, Iowa, Ohio State (close-ish), Indiana and LSU. Better late-game performance would’ve flipped at least two of those contests and made the season look a lot different in hindsight.
The Badgers have their hands full against several top opponents in 2024. Clutch plays late will be critical in pulling any substantial upsets.
Is Fickell’s program overhaul working?
Oct 7, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during the second quarter against Rutgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Fickell’s team could be tangibly better than it was in 2023, despite what a 7-5 or 8-4 record may show. But in that case, it would be clear that his program overhaul is at least moving in the right direction.
But if the season is a copy of 2023 and the team goes 6-6 or misses a bowl game, there could be real questions asked about whether the whole air raid, program overhaul is the right direction. That is something that only the games will answer.
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Publish date : 2024-07-06 08:20:00
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