Wisconsin Football: 2017 Badgers season preview, predictions

Offense

The Badgers are going with Alex Hornibrook at quarterback next season after he split time with Bart Houston last year. Hornibrook started in nine games as a redshirt freshman last year, but threw for just 1,262 yards and nine touchdowns. Three of his seven interceptions came against Michigan, though, and otherwise he was a serviceable if underwhelming quarterback.

After a year of seasoning and a shift to full-time starter, though, Hornibrook could develop into just the caretaker the Badgers have always relied on under center. Luckily his center is redshirt junior Michael Deiter, who has started all 27 games of his career with Wisconsin. He anchors an offensive line that has started 90 combined games heading into 2017. The biggest loss is left tackle Ryan Ramczyk, who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Hornibrook will also have back a familiar group of receivers. That includes Jazz Peavy and tight end Troy Fumagalli, the team’s top two receivers in terms of yardage last season. Peavy was also a dynamic return man who helped set up Wisconsin with great field position throughout the season.

The next halfback up in Madison

What kept the Badgers from fully realizing its offensive potential in 2016 was a running game that was hardly its usual self. This was despite fielding Corey Clement, who averaged over 100 yards per game and rushed for 15 touchdowns last season. Clement went undrafted in the 2017 NFL Draft, but he was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles.

More: 5 reasons why the Badgers will win the national title in 2017

Wisconsin was a top-40 rushing unit last season, which was better than their abysmal 2015 numbers but hardly what the Badgers have historically produced. With Clement entering his rookie season of pro football, Paul Chryst and offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph need to figure out how to return the UW running game back to prominence.

Look for Bradrick Shaw to emerge out of Clement’s shadow. As a redshirt freshman earning his first playing time last year, Shaw rushed 88 times for 457 yards and five scores. An increased number of reps could turn the former Alabama prep star into Wisconsin’s next 1000-yard rusher.