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Wisconsin put together a solid defensive unit during the 2020 season even as a struggling offense made things much more difficult. Wisconsin ranked No. 4 in yards per game allowed and allowed the 9th fewest points per game in the country. The Badgers’ defense played much better than the team’s 4-3 record would indicate; with just average offensive production, Wisconsin would’ve been more of a contender for the B1G West crown.
Wisconsin’s defense has a few key contributors to replace heading into 2021, especially on the line, where the Badgers could lack depth. But there is no reason to doubt this side of the ball under coordinator Jim Leonhard. It seems every season he turns down high-profile jobs to remain in Madison and be in charge of his alma mater’s defense. He had an opportunity to stay in the state and coach the Green Bay Packers defense this offseason but turned it down to embark on his 5th season in his current role.
The Badgers should have plenty of playmakers for another excellent season on defense, which should put this program in a position to return to Indianapolis.
Pressuring the QB: Better
The two most important losses from last year’s roster might be defensive linemen Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett Rand, and the biggest question mark for this defense is how the defensive line depth will hold up in 2021. Thankfully, the Badgers appear to have found their next stud outside linebacker in Nick Herbig, who tied for the team lead in tackles for loss as a true freshman last season with 6. He was credited with just 1 sack, but look for a big season from him coming off the edge.
The Badgers might have the best inside linebacker duo in the conference this season with Jack Sanborn and Leo Chenal, both of whom played a ton of snaps in 2020. They should continue creating plenty of pressure up the middle behind nose tackle Keeanu Benton. Elsewhere on the defensive line, Matt Henningsen and Isaiah Mullens will step in as starters on the defensive ends, and if they can hold their own in B1G play, Wisconsin’s linebackers should spend plenty of time in opponents’ backfields.
Run defense: Worse
The loss of Rand and Loudermilk likely will show itself more in the running game than it will in the Badgers’ ability to rush the passer. The combination of Benton, Henningsen and Mullens along the defensive line should be fine, but this is not an area where Wisconsin can afford injuries because of a lack of experience behind them. The current backup defensive linemen combined for just 3 tackles last season. Some of that had to do with injuries, but the defensive line’s performance will play a significant role in determining how successful this defense can be.
Another item to keep an eye on is Ross Kolodziej transitioning from the team’s strength and conditioning coach to an on-field role as the defensive line coach, replacing Inoke Breckterfield, who left for Vanderbilt this offseason. In his 1st year with a new job title, Kolodziej is in charge of a group that needs to hit the ground running — with the toughest part of the schedule coming right away with Penn State, Notre Dame and Michigan in 3 of the first 4 games.
Pass defense: Better
The Badgers return a ton of talent and experience in the secondary, which figures to be among the best in college football despite a lack of stars. Cornerbacks Faion Hicks and Caesar Williams are quality starters, and somebody will have to emerge as the No. 3 corner as Wisconsin used 3 cornerbacks on plenty of occasions in 2020. Wisconsin cornerbacks did not record a single interception last season, so they should be more opportunistic when the ball is in the air.
Leonhard had been coaching the cornerbacks, but Wisconsin lessened his responsibilities a bit by bringing in cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat. With the talented upperclassmen with this group, this should be a smooth transition.
At the safety spots, Collin Wilder and Scott Nelson are going to be the starters with plenty of experience. Once 2021 is over, the two will have combined to play 11 seasons of college football.
With Wisconsin’s talent and experience, combined with a lack of elite-level opposing quarterbacks on the schedule, the Badgers should do very well against the pass once again in 2021.
Special teams: Better
Prior to the start of last season, Wisconsin brought in punter Andy Vujnovich, who transferred from the University of Dubuque, a Division III school. He performed fine in his role, averaging 41.7 yards per punt and pinning teams inside the 20-yard line 14 times. The punting game saw a great deal of improvement from the previous season in terms of net punting average.
It remains to be seen who will be the Badgers’ primary kicker between Jack Van Dyke and Collin Larsh, but Van Dyke has a firm hold on the kickoff specialist role. Nearly half of his kicks resulted in touchbacks in 2020, and there is no reason to expect a dip in his second season in this role.
Overall: Better
Wisconsin finished inside the top 10 in points and yards per game allowed last season, but there is still reason to believe this group can be better. The offense figures to see a significant improvement after scoring 7 or fewer points in a brutal three-game stretch in 2020. The Badgers were on defense more often than they should have been, so with better offensive production, Wisconsin’s defense should be well rested. This will be key for a unit that did not make a ton of game-changing plays, with few sacks and turnovers until picking off 4 passes in the bowl game win over Wake Forest.
Talented players come and go from this defense every season, but with Leonhard in charge, there is no reason to expect a regression from this group, which is good enough to get the Badgers back into the B1G title game.
Erik Buchinger brings his vast experience covering Wisconsin and B1G football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @DeceptiveSpeed.