Four things to watch
Ready for primetime? Jim Leonhard, entering his second season as defensive coordinator and third as secondary coach, has decided to use three redshirt freshmen in his base defense. They are cornerbacks Caesar Williams and Faion Hicks and safety Scott Nelson. The backup cornerbacks, who should see time against Western Kentucky’s passfirst offense, are sophomore Madison Cone, redshirt freshman Deron Harrell and freshman Donte Burton. Redshirt sophomore Dontye Carriere-Williams, who started five games last season, would have been in that group but announced Wednesday he is transferring. Considering the Hilltoppers gained 84.6% of their yards through the air last season, UW’s secondary should be tested. “I need to find out how some of these guys are going to respond in game situations,” Leonhard said.
Hold that line: Whenever UW deploys three down linemen, senior nose tackle Olive Sagapolu will be sandwiched by two neophytes. Redshirt freshmen Kevin Lyles and Matt Henningsen are the projected starting ends in a three-man front. Lyles moved over from the offensive line after UW lost end Garrett Rand (Achilles) in June. Henningsen, a walk-on from Menomonee Falls High School, opened camp behind redshirt freshman Aaron Vopal but quickly moved up to the No. 1 unit. The play of the line, beginning Friday, will be a critical component for a revamped defense. “I thought Matt Henningsen had a heck of a camp,” UW coach Paul Chryst said. “I thought Kayden Lyles had a heck of a camp. So you can see their growth. And now the next challenge, the next opportunity is doing it against an opponent.”
In good hands: With Quintez Cephus suspended indefinitely after being charged with two counts of sexual assault and Danny Davis suspended for the first two games, UW enters the opener with little experienced depth at wide receiver. A.J. Taylor and Kendric Pryor are clearly the top two threats but they’ll need support. Freshmen Aron Cruickshank and Taj Mustapha could get work but walk-ons Adam Krumholz and Jack Dunn, both state products, likely will see their most extensive action at UW. “Hard for A.J. and K.P. to play the whole game,” Chryst said. “Jack and Krum have been in the offense and certainly can bring the knowledge of knowing what to do and how to do it and the ability to make plays when it comes their way.”
Getting his kicks: Senior kicker Rafael Gaglianone, who missed all but three games in 2016 because of a back injury, set off alarm bells among fans when he missed significant time in camp because of back / leg issues. He has been cleared to kick but his status will be worth monitoring because back problems can reoccur without warning. "I’ve dealt with injuries before,” Gaglianone said. “There have been times, like the 2016 season, it just comes out of nowhere and it just happens and you can’t control. But with this one it is something we definitely can control. It is about managing how we go forward. It feels good and I feel confident I’ll be here the whole season.”
Jeff Potrykus' prediction
Wisconsin’s defensive coaches will finally start getting some answers about a unit that returns only four starters. Are there enough playmakers on an inexperienced line that is missing Isaiahh Loudermilk? Will the outside linebackers provide pressure? Can a secondary with three new starters and only one senior among the top eight players hold up against a pass-happy offense?
UW’s defense will be a work in progress for a good chunk of the season but the Badgers roll in the opener, 42-7.