Before the 2004 football season started, questions lingered in the minds of Badger fans who had no idea what to expect upon entering the first game with a made-over team from last season. After an upset at Purdue, developing an unstoppable defensive front and tabbing a 7-0 record and a No. 6 ranking, many of these questions can be answered. Still, Wisconsin has four games remaining that could change the answers and make for an upsetting end to the storybook season. Here are some questions asked prior to the season opener against the University of Central Florida.
Can senior running back Anthony Davis stay healthy enough to lead a Badger backfield without Dwayne Smith?
Davis has not been 100 percent healthy but neither have the rest of the running back corps. Somehow though, Wisconsin has still been able to carry on their highly touted rush offense. Davis sustained an eye injury early in the season, which put him out three games, but the likes of sophomore Booker Stanley, freshman Jamil Walker and even junior fullback Matt Bernstein were there to pick up the slack. During the Penn State game, the corps was down to bare bones with Davis nursing his injury, Stanley suffering turf toe and Walker out with a shoulder injury. Bernstein came to the rescue however and rushed for 123 yards.
Since Davis has been healthy he has reminded opponents and teammates how essential he really is to the offense. Minus a low 66-yard performance against Purdue last weekend, he posted 213 yards against Illinois, 168 yards against Ohio State and has six touchdowns in four games.
How will the defense hold up with the departure of linebackers Jeff Mack and Alex Lewis and defensive coach Kevin Cosgrove?
Cosgrove who? Welcome to the Bret Bielema era, where defense dominates and the numbers can speak for themselves. So far the defense is only allowing eight points per game, has let their opponent into the end zone five times (both national bests) and is allowing 222.4 yards per game (second in the nation).
While Mack and Lewis were huge contributors last season, the focus is now on the defensive line. Senior defensive end Erasmus James missed last year due to a hip injury but he is definitely back after earning back-to-back Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors and is semifinalist for the Lombardi Award. The rest of the line has not disappointed either, and even when three of the four starters were injured at some point against Purdue, the reserves proved that they can also keep the defense in control. The same will be expected this weekend since James will be nursing his ankle injury.
What is the deal with instant replay?
So far instant replay has been a pain, a blessing and everything in between for Wisconsin. During its debut against UCF it was used on two consecutive plays which seemed to cause more anguish for the fans-an overturned fumble call and a long debate over where Davis stepped out of bounds.
Yet replay helped UW in the Purdue upset. After Boilermaker quarterback Kyle Orton fumbled the ball in the late in the final quarter, Wisconsin cornerback Scott Starks was there to return the fumble for the game-winning touchdown. The play was reviewed because it looked as though Orton had been down before Starks got a hold of the ball. Thanks to instant replay though, it was evident Orton only had one hand on the turf and thus the Badgers claimed the victory.
Instant replay is still in its trial stages in the Big Ten, but has proved to be useful throughout the season.
Without Lee Evans, do the Badgers have a wide receiver who will be able to give UW some help in the air?
Like Stocco, the Badgers receiving corps is gradually showing its presence in the offense. With the departure of Evans, no receiver stepped into the spotlight he left, but the group has come together more as a unit that is interested in working together.
\Everyone has to make plays,"" junior wide receiver Brandon Williams said. ""It's been basically the same (without Evans); we're just trying to get it done.""
Even though it has taken some time for the receivers to make plays, they are a young group that could emerge more in future seasons.
""Our receivers were silent for a while,"" Alvarez said. ""We weren't throwing the ball very much ... As we expand the passing the game they'll become more and more involved.""
Should Badger fans start making New Year's Day plans?
Don't make travel plans quite yet. A bowl game somewhere is a lock but if the Badgers stub their toe within these next few games it could be goodbye Rose Bowl and hello Motor City Bowl. Wisconsin proved they can battle with the best in the country, but preventing an upset will be their hardest task. If the team continues to act on its ""1 and 0"" philosophy, a New Year's Day at the Rose Bowl could be a probable vacation spot for Badger fans.
""There are so many things that can happen, the silly things that have to happen to be a good football team,"" Alvarez said. ""It's hard to win. It's very hard to win.""
