Only 2 more days. What to know for Western Michigan. How many Badgers made the 53 at the next level?
Game Preview: Western Michigan
Western Michigan at Wisconsin
Where: Camp Randall Stadium
When: Friday, 8/30 – 8:00 PM (CST)
How to Watch: FS1
Spread: Wisconsin (-23.5)
O/U: 55.5
Western Michigan Broncos 2023 Record: 4-8
Western Michigan is mostly unknown. So much so that even Fickell admitted this in his pregame presser on Monday. They have new offensive and defensive coordinators and had plenty of roster churn last offseason. The main concern for Wisconsin (minor concern) is the returning QB/RB combo of Kaleb Eleby and Jalen Buckley who finished strong last season.
What concerns me about Wisconsin:
The DL was by far the shakiest unit on the team all offseason. Now, Senior starter James Thompson Jr. is out for the season, making a weak unit a genuine liability. If the Badgers can’t stop the run against Western Michigan, it’s an ill omen for the rest of the season.
What I want to see:
The forward pass and lots of Tawee Walker carries. Tyler Van Dyke has 2 weeks to work out the kinks of being on a new team. Let’s throw the kitchen sink at him. He’ll either figure it out, or drown. Either way, Bama is still waiting for him in week 3. Tawee Walker is a senior transfer RB of the bruiser style Wisconsin acquired via Oklahoma. The more carries he gets, the longer we can keep Chez Mellusi healthy. (Plus Tawee might even be the better back).
Prediction:
Wisconsin 38
Western Michigan 14
Wisconsin covers the 23.5
Under 55.5 points
Wisconsin is paying Western Michigan $1.5 million to come get body bagged in Camp Randall. Anything short of Bucky holding up his end of the deal would be a disappointment.
Badgers on the 53
Wisconsin only had 2 players drafted in 2024, but they had 1 more sneak onto a roster as a UDFA.
Rookie Badgers
RB Braelon Allen – 4th round, Jets
C Tanor Bortolini – 4th round, Colts
ILB Meama Njongmeta – UDFA, Bengals
Legacy Badgers
QB Russell Wilson – Steelers
OLB TJ Watt – Steelers
OLB Nick Herbig – Steelers
DL Keanu Benton – Steelers
DL Isaiahh Loudermilk – Steelers
The Pittsburgh Badgers???
RB Jonathan Taylor – Colts
OLB Andrew Van Ginkle – Vikings
G David Edwards – Bills
ILB Jack Sanborn – Bears
ILB TJ Edwards – Bears
TE Jake Ferguson – Cowboys
G Kevin Zietler – Lions
RB Dare Ogunbowale – Texans
G Cole Van Lanen – Jaguars
ILB Leo Chenal – Chiefs
G Logan Bruss – Rams
OT Rob Havenstein – Rams
FB Alec Ingold – Dolphins
OT Ryan Ramczyk – Saints
C Joe Tippmann – Jets
ILB Zack Baun – Eagles
C Tyler Biadasz – Commanders
G Michael Deiter – Commanders
26 Badgers made the 53 for week 1 this year. 8 are LBs and 10 are OL. That’s a lot of Lineman and LBs. Only 4 RBs though, let’s see if Mellusi or Walker can add to that number next draft.
#BuckyByAMillion
Want more Walk On Fan?
Check out our Preseason Top 25 to get a feel for where we stand going into week 1.
(Ignore FSU though, that was not a top 25 performance in week 0)
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This article was written by Cole Tollison and edited by Hayden Breene