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Wisconsin Badgers Football: 2015 Worst Case Scenario

By Taylor Johnson

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So we have taken a look at the “glass half full” type of season the Wisconsin Badgers could have in 2015. Now it’s time to look at the other side of the coin. What if everything that could go wrong does? It’s a look at Wisconsin’s worst case scenario for the 2015 season.

Again we start with the season opener against Alabama down at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. And again we will start with a loss for the Badgers. No matter what their quarterback or wide receiver situation is this year, Alabama is still one of the best in the country. Running back Derrick Henry is one of the best in the country and the Tide’s defense will be stout. It’s going to be a tough task for Wisconsin to come away with a victory.

Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin Badgers /

Wisconsin Badgers

We will breeze past the next three non-conference games for the Badgers. Even though this is the worst case scenario, there should be no problem for Wisconsin coming away with blowout victories against Miami (OH), Troy and Hawaii inside the friendly confines of Camp Randall Stadium.

Which brings us to the Big Ten schedule, one that on paper does not look too difficult. They start at home against Iowa, a game in which they shouldn’t have a problem winning. Two games stick out however that look to give Wisconsin some problems.

On the road at Nebraska and at Minnesota are two games that could derail Wisconsin’s chances of winning another Big Ten West division title. The Badgers have never won a game at Lincoln, NE, including their lone conference meeting back in 2012. Even though Nebraska has a new coach in Mike Riley and the ‘Huskers have lost some fire power (Ameer Abdullah) from a year ago, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Badgers lose this one.

I also won’t be surprised to see Wisconsin fall at Minnesota in the regular season finale either. Head coach Jerry Kill has a great team in Minneapolis this year, which is saying a lot considering they don’t have star running back David Cobb. But this will be a very good team and one that will have a very good possibility of winning the West. This is also Minnesota’s best chance in years to finally reclaim Paul Bunyan’s Axe for the first time since 2003.

Both of those games on the road will determine the West division champ and if Wisconsin lose both of those they will not be making a trip back to Indianapolis. It would also mean that Wisconsin will have to watch Minnesota celebrate with the Axe, and seeing how it has gone down in the past couple of years that could turn ugly.

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And the play of quarterback Joel Stave could turn ugly. There’s been a lot of talk of how he as regained his confidence. But what a lot of us remember is how he went through his “yips” last year and his lackluster play when he took over the starting spot from Tanner McEvoy. Who’s to say that won’t happen again this year? Stave won’t have Melvin Gordon to bail him out this year.

He will have Corey Clement behind him, who in his own right is very talented. But if something happens to him, it’s a major blow to the offense. Same goes for this offensive line, who has to replace three of its starters from last year. If they are not able to get in sync, this could be a long year.

As much as it stings to see this, it’s a possibility we all might have to face. The worst case scenario for Wisconsin has the Badgers going 9-3, failing to win the Big Ten West and–brace yourselves–losing the Axe to the Gophers on the other side of the Mississippi River.

Next: Wisconsin Football: Best Case Scenario

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