Wisconsin began last season with dreams of capturing its first Big Ten title since 2000 and playing in the Rose Bowl, largely because of its talented and experienced defense. But in 2008 the defensive unit was mediocre and inconsistent. With the departure of six opening-day starters from last year, the Badgers will need high levels of production from inexperienced players and improved play from returning starters to be successful in 2009.
The Badgers' defense entered 2008 with high expectations with nearly every starter returning from a successful 2007 campaign. Wisconsin appeared to enter the season with a particularly strong front seven, which included senior defensive linemen Jason Chapman, Mike Newkirk and Matt Shaughnessy and linebackers Jonathan Casillas and DeAndre Levy.
But instead of transforming into an elite unit, the defense was fairly average. It finished in the middle of the pack statistically in the Big Ten, finishing fifth in pass yards against and sixth in rushing yards against.
The Badger defense started strong last season, although it was against a relatively weak schedule. Wisconsin allowed 17.6 points per game in its first five contests. But in its sixth game against Penn State, Wisconsin gave up 48 points at home, then allowed 36 next week at Iowa. And in their final three games, the Badgers allowed a combined 109 points, including 32 to FCS opponent Cal Poly at home. Wisconsin finished eighth in the Big Ten in points allowed per game, with 26.5.
Among the disappointing individuals last season for Wisconsin was safety Shane Carter, who will be a senior in 2009. Carter led the Big Ten in interceptions in 2006, but lost a bulk of his playing time in 2007 to Chris Maragos because of poor tackling. Maragos, who will also be a senior this upcoming season, is listed ahead of Shane Carter at free safety in head coach Bret Bielema's post-spring depth chart.
According to the depth chart, with the inclusion of Maragos, the Badgers will field eight first-year starters in 2009. Only senior defensive end O'Brien Schofield, senior linebacker Jaevery McFadden and junior strong safety Jay Valai will return as starters from 2008.
Wisconsin's secondary entered last season as the defense's most raw unit, but it may be the most experienced element of the defense in 2009. Maragos and Carter, as well as junior cornerback Niles Brinkley, sophomore cornerback Aaron Henry and senior safety Aubrey Pleasant have all taken a considerable number of snaps in the past.
Schofield will be the lone returning starter on the front four, but senior defensive tackle Dan Moore could give the Badgers some experience on the defensive line. The Badgers will start two very inexperienced defensive linemen, senior Jeff Stehle and sophomore J.J. Watt. Watt transferred from Central Michigan after his freshman year in 2006 and was forced to redshirt in 2007. The transfer could make an immediate impact, as Watt has earned rave reviews from Bielema this spring.
The linebacker position for Wisconsin will present more experience than the defensive line. McFadden is the only returning starter, but juniors Culmer St. Jean and Blake Sorensen have both seen plenty of time on the field their last two seasons.
