The Wisconsin Badgers open a pivotal season in a little more than a week. Off a 7-6 season that ended with an embarrassing home win and a blowout at the hands of Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl, the Badgers are expected to show progress under fourth-year coach Bret Bielema this season.When they take the field against Northern Illinois Sept. 5 in Madison, they'll have a new starting quarterback. The team's depth chart for that game was released Thursday, and senior Dustin Sherer has surrendered the gig. We just don't know who won the job yet.
The chart lists the starting quarterback as junior Scott Tolzien or redshirt freshman Curt Phillips. It's believed that Tolzien will be used in most situations, but because he's more of a dropback passer, while Phillips is a far superior athlete, he will get playing time.
Sherer, who was atop the depth chart after spring practice, has been demoted to third string. This isn't much of a surprise, as Sherer didn't impress much after taking over as starter last year, and he didn't do much in fall practice to cement the job over two obviously improving players.
Tolzien is more like Sherer than former Wisconsin quarterbacks like Brooks Bollinger and Tyler Donovan, but that might not be a bad thing. John Stocco was a three-year starter for the Badgers who had a ton of success despite not being a great athlete.
Being that Phillips is a freshman, it is smart to find a way to get him on the field. Because of the season Wisconsin had last year, it's hard to argue they should pick one quarterback and use him exclusively. It's time for Bielema and his staff to start thinking outside the box.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-27-2009 @ 5:19PM
kfogs1957 said...
I respect wisconsin, but I hope this guy flounders. I remember the complete BS and lack of class he exemplified against Penn State several years ago by intentionally having his players go off side on Kickoffs at the end of the first half. Remember the old saying, "win the battle, but lose the war"? Nice job Bret, you have been around a short time as the head man, but we despise you already. The Badgers would do themselves a world of good by firing this idiot and bringing back the class coach they had. Do the right thing Barry.
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8-28-2009 @ 12:02PM
buddy randolph said...
I generally make a point to *not* respond directly to comments made at Fanhouse (or Sportsline or, really, any sports site) since the flame war phenomenon is one of the more pitiful practices the internet hath wrought. That said, kfogs1957, if you want to lob a criticism at Bielema, make it about the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that ultimately cost Wisconsin the game last year and *not* about the Penn State kick off/clock/off sides strategy. While JoePa may have gotten his knickers in a twist, Bielema struck out against what many rightfully considered a stupid rule with a stupid loophole. Blame the NCAA for, if you want.
Secondly, the "class coach they had" hand-picked Bielema as his successor, don't forget. Before crying for Bielema's head, remember that Bielema's still one of the youngest head coaches in college football. If he hasn't learned from his mistakes and actions and demonstrates better judgment this season, by all means, put him on the hot seat, but I wonder how many Wisconsin fans that "despise [him] already" wouldn't change their tune with a 10-2 2009 season....
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