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Greg McElroy explains why Wisconsin is a ‘sleeper team’ in 2023
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Greg McElroy is excited about Wisconsin in Year 1 of the Luke Fickell era.View post
The Badgers landed at No. 14 in McElroy’s way-too-early preseason rankings, which he partially unveiled on Tuesday.
“At No. 14, another sleeper team for me, this might be way too high,” McElroy said on Always College Football. “I’m rolling the dice with this one. I acknowledge it. I hope you’ll at least show me a little grace if this thing goes off the rails because it certainly could. I’m taking the Wisconsin Badgers at No. 14.”
McElroy specifically said he’s excited about new offensive coordinator Phil Longo, who is expected to “completely alter the identity” of what Wisconsin has been in recent years. Longo traditionally has run a pass-heavy offense, most recently doing so at North Carolina.
“You bring the air raid or some variation of the air raid to Madison, Wisconsin, you’re going to raise some eye brows,” he said. “But this guy knows how to score points and he knows how to put a lot of strain on the opposing defense. He will likely do that now in Madison.”
Defensively, McElroy said Wisconsin is excited about the versatility of Maema Njongmeta in a new-look defense. Njongmeta led the Badgers with 95 tackles a season ago and could be deployed in a variety of looks for Wisconsin this season.
Wisconsin will be looking for its first 10-win season of 2023.
Wisconsin will open the 2023 season against Buffalo on Sept. 2.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.