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Wisconsin Badgers Football: 2015 Best Case Scenario

By Taylor Johnson

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There are two types of people out there in this the world. The “glass half full” crowd and the “glass half empty” crowd. At the beginning of every college football season before any games have kicked off, almost everyone fan base believes there glass at the very least is half full. With that being the case, why not examine just what could be the best case scenario for the Wisconsin Badgers heading into the 2015 season.

Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin Badgers /

Wisconsin Badgers

There’s certainly a lot to be excited about in Wisconsin before the Badgers hit the field at Camp Randall Stadium for real this year. They return one of the best defenses in the country from a season ago and there’s no reason why they won’t be one of the best again this year. Although Melvin Gordon is now in San Diego, it’s next man up in the running back department as Corey Clement is now the lead dog for Wisconsin.

Kicking off the season, Wisconsin will have to take on SEC powerhouse Alabama down in Jerry’s World. As full as that glass of PBR may be and optimism is sky-high currently, let’s be honest with ourselves. It’s going to be a tall, tall task for Bucky to come out of Dallas with a victory over the Tide. Let’s get that one out-of-the-way and quickly move on from there.

The remaining non-conference schedule consists of Miami (OH), Troy and Hawaii–three teams that went a combined 9-28 last year. Whatever happens in Texas to start the season, there should be no reason why Wisconsin does not come away with three victories here. Moving on.

Once again this season Wisconsin does not have to face the likes of Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan or Penn State during the regular season setting up a favorable Big Ten slate. The Badgers should be able to run through most of their eight-game conference schedule, for the most part.

Two games I see that might trip up the Badgers, both being on the road at Nebraska and at Minnesota. With that said, and since this is the best case scenario, Wisconsin should be the better team in both those matchups and coming away with those two wins would put the Badgers in the Big Ten championship with the West division crown.

This would put Wisconsin with an 11-1 record and if that happens than that means Joel Stave is having a great season. Stave’s confidence is also at an all-time high right now and the redshirt quarterback will have to keep that up throughout the season. If Stave is playing well to compliment the talents of Clement, this team will roll.

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Don’t overlook this defense either. Best case scenario for this group is the linebackers are running wild all over the field and Vince Biegel will be the one to lead them. The secondary will come back around from a year ago, with Sojourn Shelton having a bounce-back junior campaign and Michael Caputo having a phenomenal season once again. Dave Aranda will have his 3-4 defense in the talks as the best in country again this year.

Even with a loss to open the season against Alabama, Wisconsin’s best case scenario has them in the Big Ten championship for the fourth time in five years with an 11-1 record. The season is right around the corner so crack open your favorite beverage. Just make sure it always stays at least half full.

Next: Wisconsin Football Worst Case Scenario

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