Throughout spring football practice in Madison, Wisconsin talked openly about “The Launch” of a new era.

The Badgers would be dynamic on offense.  The defense would maintain an enforcer role despite the departure of longtime coordinator Jim Leonhard. All 3 phases would demand respect.

Well, the preseason work is done. It’s game week for the actual “launch,” which arrives at 2:30 CT Saturday when 4-TD underdog Buffalo visits Camp Randall Stadium.

New coach Luke Fickell and the Badgers have the talent to run through the B1G West, just as the Saturday Tradition Crystal Ball foresees. A veteran quarterback is commanding the huddle. There’s a 1-2 combination in the backfield that could change the outlook of games. On defense, Wisconsin returns 8 starters and added veteran depth in the secondary.

Games ultimately will be determined by a handful of players hitting their strides at the proper moment. Here are 5 Badgers who will make or break Wisconsin, a College Football Playoff dark horse as the Fickell era begins:

1. QB Tanner Mordecai

Football starts with the quarterback, and it’s no different in Madison. Fickell wanted “his guy” to lead new OC Phil Longo’s system entering 2023, so he plucked Mordecai out of the portal and handed him the keys to the offensive personnel group before practice was even under way.

Mordecai started for 2 seasons at SMU and averaged over 3,500 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. And he already has a grasp of Longo’s Air Raid offense, having played under fellow Mike Leach disciple Sonny Dykes.

Based on his past, Mordecai has a chance to have the best season by a QB for the program since Russell Wilson led the Badgers to a Rose Bowl appearance in 2011. He’s a main reason some national pundits are throwing Wisconsin into CFP chatter and might still be doing so entering November.

2. RB Chez Mellusi

Braelon Allen’s impact is well-documented as he enters his 3rd year. Everyone in the conference knows Agent 0 is a quick cut away from being off to the races. Does that make him the biggest “make or break” player in Wisconsin’s backfield? I say no, and Longo’s past success with a 2-man tandem supports the theory.

While serving as OC at North Carolina in 2020, Longo relied on both Javonte Williams and Michael Carter on the way to an Orange Bowl berth. Williams was the leading man, averaging more carries per game while scoring 19 TDs. Carter, however, was the change-of-pace guy and totaled more rushing yards (1,245) and yards per attempt (8.0).

Mellusi, who finished with 100+ fewer carries than Allen, should see an uptick in his production. His ability to keep drives alive and defenses on their toes factors into how lethal the Badgers can be on offense. Longo wants to expand the passing attack, but doesn’t want to negate the run game. The only way that occurs is with a balanced approach between Allen’s power and Mellusi’s elusiveness.

3. WR Chimere Dike

Every passer needs a go-to target. Mordecai last season went early, late and often to Rashee Rice, who finished with 59 more receptions than the Mustangs’ No. 2 receiver. He played primarily on the outside, winning matchups against man and zone coverages.

That screams Dike entering the year. The 6-1 senior led Wisconsin in every passing metric, including rep count at 657. He’s strong enough to win in contested catch situations and is fluid enough to pick up yards after the catch. Mordecai, who averaged 8.0 yards per pass attempt in Dallas, will look to challenge defenders on the perimeter. That’s where Dike makes most of his magic.

4. LB Maema Njongmeta

The B1G is all about physical ground-and-pound football, meaning linebackers must be enforcers up the middle. Njongmeta consistently found himself flying around the football for Leonhard’s defense last fall, recording a team-high 95 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton are off to the NFL, leaving a gap up the middle and on the outside. Until the Badgers find replacements for 2 gaping needs, Njongmeta will be working overtime. He’s going to have to blitz. He’ll have to stay patient when playing the run. You can also expect him to make plays in pass coverage, an area he improved on late last season with 2 pass deflections and an interception.

5. K Nathanial Vakos

Yes, a kicker is that important to Wisconsin’s success. The Badgers on paper should be a favorite to win the West, but college football Saturdays are a crapshoot and could come down to one final play — or, in this instance, a final kick.

Vakos, a transfer from Ohio, held off Nate Van Zelst throughout camp and should be kicking Week 1 against the Bison. He’s had some hiccups in practice, but he drilled 2 kicks over 50 yards for the Bobcats in 2022.

Say the defense struggles against Ohio State, but the offense drives downfield for a shot at a game-winning 35-yard kick? Say Illinois’ defense gives the Badgers fits, but the game remains tied with 20 seconds left on the clock. Those are the plays that can send Wisconsin to Indianapolis in Year 1 of the new regime, but it all comes down to the leg of the MACtion transfer.