90
Wisconsin is
known for its great
offensive lines, but
the Badgers’ unit
entering the season
is as much of a work
in progress as it’s
been during Paul
Chryst’s seven-year
tenure in Madison.
Entering this
season only center
Tyler Biadasz is a
known quantity:
The junior, who
could have entered
the NFL draft as
a high pick, has
made 27 starts.
His likely linemates
have eight between
them. Junior tackle
Cole Van Lanen
and sophomores
Logan Bruss and
Tyler Beach all saw
playing time last
year, while Kayden
Lyles moves to the
offensive line this
year after spending
2018 on the
Badgers’ defensive
line. Together they’ll
try to live up to the
long tradition of
talented lines at
Wisconsin.X-FACTOR
2019
SCHEDULE
THE BIG STORY Expected to
contend for a playoff berth,
the Badgers were one of 2018’s
biggest disappointments. The
reason? A defense that ranked
29th in the FBS in total yardage
allowed, averaging 344.2. It was
the Badgers’ worst defensive
season since ’07. This fall will be
coordinator Jim Leonhard’s third
season in his role, and if last year’s
8–5 record was an aberration in
Madison, the course correction
will have to start with his unit.CAN’T MISS Jonathan Taylor was
the best running back in
college football a year ago,
and there’s no reason why he can’t
replicate his production this
season. In 2018, Taylor finished
with 2,194 yards and
16 touchdowns—accounting for half
the team’s scores on the ground
and more than 60% of its rushing
yardage. Even with defenses
focused on him, Taylor had five
games with more than 200 yards.KEY QUESTION Who will emerge
at QB? Alex Hornibrook
transferred to Florida State after a
turnover- and injury-plagued 2018,
leaving a hole at QB. Jack Coan,
who started four games last year,
has the inside track at winning
the job, but look out for true
freshman Graham Mertz, a
four-star recruit who turned
down offers from Clemson,KEY MATCHUP
BIGGEST GAME
SI RANKING
AUG. 30
@ SOUTH FLORIDA
SEPT. 7
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
SEPT. 21
MICHIGAN (11)
SEPT. 28
NORTHWESTERN
OCT. 5
KENT STATE
OCT. 12
MICHIGAN STATE (21)
OCT. 19
@ ILLINOIS
OCT. 26
@ OHIO STATE (5)
NOV. 9
IOWA (18)
NOV. 16
@ NEBRASKA (24)
NOV. 23
PURDUE
NOV. 30
@ MINNESOTA
THE RUNDOWN
3
6
9
12
15
10 –3 11–3 13 –1 8 –5 8 – 4
WINS
After failing to reach
double-digit wins for the
first time in Paul Chryst’s
seven seasons, the Badgers
are sorely in need of a
YEAR 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019* bounce-back season.
*SI PROJECTION5 -YEAR TREND
8.5
The Badgers were
better than their
8–5 record indicated last year,
but this year’s team is nowhere
near as balanced. It could really
struggle during a brutal stretch
that includes Michigan State and
Ohio State.OVER OR UNDER
FRO
M LEFT: STACY REVERE/GETTY IM
AGES; JO
E RO
BBIN
S/GETTY IM
AGES
Wisconsin