There’s a steady buzz of excitement surrounding the University of Wisconsin football program heading into the highly anticipated 2023 season.
Following the hiring of energetic, first-year head coach Luke Fickell (following a highly successful six-year tenure at Cincinnati), Wisconsin is looking to achieve consistent, steady growth within a new system and gradually re-establish itself as a viable contender within the Big Ten Conference.
The Badgers finished in sole possession of fifth place in the highly-competitive Big Ten West Division with a 4-5 record and 7-6 overall, capped with a victory over Oklahoma State in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Wisconsin remains one of the most consistent programs in the nation, having qualified for a bowl in 21 consecutive seasons.
1. Transitioning to the Fickell era
When UW athletic director Chris McIntosh officially introduced Fickell as the 31st head coach in program history during a press conference on Nov. 28, 2022, it signaled a serious changing of the guard and commitment to sustaining the team’s longstanding winning tradition.
Fickell, 49, comes to the Badgers following an impressive stint in leading Cincinnati (57-18 overall record), including a 31-5 record over the course of the last three seasons, highlighted by a 13-1 record in 2021 and No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff.
The former Ohio State University nose guard earned back-to-back American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2020 and 2021. Phil Longo is the team’s offensive coordinator, and Mike Tressel is the defensive coordinator.
2. The Quarterback Position
Former Southern Methodist QB Tanner Mordecai – George Walker/Getty Images
Following the departure of former starter Graham Mertz, UW will be looking to the leadership of sixth-year senior Tanner Mordecai (a highly touted transfer from Southern Methodist University) to lead a strong, highly competitive quarterback room for the Badgers.
Mordecai combined to pass for 7,152 yards and 72 touchdowns in two seasons with SMU but struggled mightily in making his highly anticipated Wisconsin debut during the annual spring game.
Others vying for an increased role include Nick Evers (an Oklahoma transfer), Braedyn Locke (a transfer from Mississippi State), Myles Burkett, and Cole LaCrue.
3. The progression of running back Braelon Allen
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Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen (0) – John Fisher/Getty Images
Allen, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound junior running back, rushed for a team-high 1,242 yards and 11 touchdowns in playing 12 games in 2022, ranking fourth in the Big Ten.
Allen reached the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season and eclipsed the 2,000-yard career milestone versus Michigan State (Oct. 15, 2022), becoming the fifth fastest Badger in program history to accomplish the feat (19 games).
He was a second-team Big Ten Conference selection and Offensive Most Valuable Player in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
4. Potential Offensive Firepower
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Wisconsin WR Chimere Dike (13) – Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Running back Chez Mellusi returns to complement Allen in the backfield, providing a strong 1-2 punch for the fierce Wisconsin running game.
Mellusi, a graduate student, rushed for 473 yards and two touchdowns in nine games last season.
The receiving corps will feature the team’s top three receivers of Chimere Dike, Skyler Bell, and Keontez Lewis. Dike, a 6-1 senior, was Wisconsin’s leading wide receiver with 47 catches for 689 yards and six touchdowns in 2022. The group will be bolstered by the addition of transfers C.J. Williams (USC), Will Pauling (Cincinnati), and Bryson Green (Oklahoma State).
5. Hard-Nosed Defense
UW has prided itself on its hard-nosed, blue-collar style of defense over the course of its rich, storied history, and this season, that trend figures to continue.
With linebacker Nick Herbig and nose tackle Keeanu Benton each drafted by the National Football League’s Pittsburgh Steelers, the Badgers look to fill the void with several strong, hungry returning veterans.
The tenacious linebacking corps of Maema Njongmeta, Jordan Turner, and C.J. Goetz will bring a heavy dose of leadership to the mix. Njongmeta, a senior inside linebacker, led the unit with 95 tackles last season.
