Wisconsin Football Position Battles to Watch For in the Spring Game
By Jim Oxley
Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Joel Stave (2) drops back against the Auburn Tigers during the second half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
A look at the key Wisconsin football position battles heading into the spring game Saturday.
The Wisconsin Badgers host the annual spring game this Saturday at Camp Randall. For many young players, it’s the first chance to make an impression on the coaches and fans in a game-like situation, for others, it’s simply the first time the stands will have more than a few reporters in them.
The purpose of the spring game is to take stock of the team and see the players in action in a situation that more resembles a game. The Badgers coaching staff will definitely learn some things about the team at the spring game.
Last year at the spring game Tanner McEvoy showed flashes – as he would continue to do during the regular season, Badgers fans got their first glimpses of soon-to-be fan favorite Raphael Gaglianone, and the 6-0 score was a look into the future at how strong the Badgers defense would be in the upcoming season.
Wisconsin Badgers
This year, plenty of questions exist heading into the spring game.
Who’s going to fill Melvin Gordon‘s shoes?
What will the quarterback situation look like?
What the heck do you do with Tanner McEvoy?
Can the Badgers replace guys like Rob Havenstein, Kyle Costigan and Dallas Lewallen on the offensive line?
Who steps in to take Derek Landisch and Marcus Trotter‘s place at inside linebacker?
The answers to these questions likely won’t all be apparent after the spring game — it’s really just a glorified practice open to the public.
But public perception is everything, and the Badgers will be looking to make it a positive public perception.
Here we dive into some of the big position battles that will play out in the spring game. The Badgers are looking for answers at several positions, and the spring game could potentially help clear the air.
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