Football August 28, 2024

Baggot: Five things to know - Friday Night Lights

Wisconsin kicks off the 2024 season at Camp Randall Friday night

The similarities between this unranked version of the Wisconsin football team and the one nine years ago are striking indeed.

In 2016, the last time the Badgers began the year unranked in the Associated Press’ top-25 poll, they had a coach in his second full season at the helm (Paul Chryst), a senior quarterback prepping for his first career start at UW (Bart Houston) and a largely unknown collection of talent, especially on defense.

The highlight of Wisconsin’s three-game non-league schedule was a top-five opponent from the Southeastern Conference (LSU) in a rare contest staged here in Wisconsin (Lambeau Field in Green Bay).

UW promptly began that season knocking off the fifth-ranked Tigers, then did something very unusual. Wisconsin opened 3-0 to move into the top 10, lost two straight to fall out of the top 10, then won six in a row to close out the regular season in the top five.

The Badgers wound up finishing 11-3 overall and were situated eighth in the final AP ranking. That includes a loss to Penn State in the Big Ten title game and a victory over Western Michigan in the Cotton Bowl.

Now, here we are in 2024. Luke Fickell is in his second full season as coach, Tyler Van Dyke, a senior transfer from Miami (Fla.), has been anointed the starting quarterback and there are question marks galore surrounding this team, especially on defense.

In three weeks, the Badgers will face fifth-ranked SEC powerhouse Alabama at Camp Randall Stadium, the most anticipated non-league home game since – when? – Colorado in 1995? Nebraska in 1974? Penn State in 1970?

Here are five more things to know as UW prepares to host Western Michigan in its home season opener Friday at 8 p.m. at Camp Randall Stadium.

Wisconsin sold out its batch of season tickets for the 2024 season

HOME-MAKING HISTORY

For the first time since the Associated Press poll came to be in 1936, the Badgers are scheduled to face three schools ranked in the top-10 all at home (No. 5 Alabama, No. 8 Penn State and No. 3 Oregon).

CB Ricardo Hallman led all FBS players with 7 INTs in 2023

EXCELLENT COMPANY

Wisconsin has finished with a winning record for 22 consecutive seasons going back to 2002. That’s more than three CFP title-winners (Alabama 17, Clemson 13 and Georgia 13).

S Hunter Wohler returns for his senior season in 2024

HE'S THE HUNTER

UW senior Hunter Wohler was credited with 120 tackles last season, the most by a Big Ten junior safety in this century. He surpassed Sean Davis, who had 115 for Maryland in 2014. Wohler’s total is the most by any returning league player, regardless of defensive position, since at least 2005.

In 2023, WR Will Pauling led the Badgers with the 5th-most catches in a single season (74)

ROSTER BREAKDOWN

Of the 109 student-athletes on the opening game roster for the Badgers, 35 are in-state products, 30 are true freshmen, 28 are transfers, 13 have graduated and five received undergraduate degrees from schools other than Wisconsin.

In the Camp Randall finale last fall, Wisconsin topped Nebraska in OT

NIGHT TO REMEMBER

The Badgers have never lost a night game at Camp Randall versus an unranked opponent (16-0).

First & 10 with QB Tyler Van Dyke

Is there a teammate you’ve come to admire?

“Probably Will Pauling. He does everything right. He’s the example of what you want in a program. He’s always doing extra things off the field; helping in the community. He’s always doing what he needs to do to get better every day football-wise and school-wise.”

What do you like most about yourself?

“When things go wrong – when adversity hits – I feel like I always respond. Just keep going with the attitude that you never quit. You keep going because you never know, so always keep going.”

What’s the lie you tell yourself the most often?

“I tell myself I can go to the PGA Tour after football.”

How do you deal with stress?

“Talking to my family. Talking to my girlfriend. Just talking it out; talking out problems and situations. Just getting comfort from loved ones.”

What are you good at besides football?

“I can’t really sing. I can’t really draw. Outside of football, golf is one of my passions”

Is there a class you’d like to take again?

“Probably one of my financial management classes or my wealth management classes back at Miami. Maybe I could lock in a little bit more and get some more knowledge.”

You have a second chance to relive an event in your life. What would it be?

“I’d probably go back to the 2022 football season, the fourth game of the year against Middle Tennessee. It didn’t go the way I wanted to. I’d probably go back to that and change a lot of things.”

Something people would never guess just by looking at you?

“That I’ve got a big heart.”

What’s the personality trait you’re most proud of?

“Being open to everybody’s ideas and opinions.”

What’s an item on your bucket list?

“I’d like to travel the world someday.”

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