Wisconsin Football: 5 reasons why Badgers will stink in 2017

5. An anemic offense isn’t likely to get better in 2017

Last year, the Badgers won the Big Ten West despite fielding one of the country’s worst passing offenses. By the end of the year Paul Chryst and offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph were rarely calling for Bart Houston or Alex Hornibrook to throw the ball. Asked only to throw high-percentage passes, the duo set several single-game efficiency records but on aggregate combined to rank outside the top 100 of FBS passing offenses.

The rushing attack was little better, despite the efforts of Corey Clement. In his senior season, Clement rushed for 1,375 yards and 15 touchdowns. But as a team, Wisconsin ranked just 39th overall in rushing yards gained per game. Now that Clement is entering his rookie year of pro ball with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Badgers are still looking to return to the dominant rushing attacks that fueled their previous championship teams.

While the offense performed far more credibly than it did in Chryst’s first season in Madison as the head coach, Wisconsin is still struggling to find its way on offense. Hornibrook takes over at quarterback full time. Bradrick Shaw is likely to get the bulk of the carries. All in all, it appears to be another year of transition for the Badgers when they have the football, which is hardly a recipe for success.