Wisconsin Football: 2015 Season Predictions

Jul 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst speaks during 2015 Big Ten Football Media Days at Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Will Wisconsin fans be praising or criticizing Paul Chryst after the season?

Rayan: This is a tough one. Wisconsin has a pretty passionate and maybe a little bit over critical fan base. Just ask Traevon Jackson. Or Joel Stave. Or Andy Ludwig. Actually, he deserved to be criticized. But the point is, if Wisconsin drops any other game besides Ohio State or Bama, expect some heat coming his way. Especially if he loses the Axe. However, I doubt fans will be too harsh as long as he runs the football, doesn’t pull our star running back from the teams biggest game for no reason, and start a safety that can’t throw at quarterback.

Wisconsin Badgers

Jim: Paul Chryst knows how a Wisconsin offense is supposed to look. He has the pieces — a talented running back and a pro-style quarterback, a big, if largely untested offensive line, and monster tight ends. We’ll look back on the hiring of Chryst as a great move following uncertainty during Gary Andersen’s era.

Erik: We will be praising Paul Chryst for his first season, as Wisconsin returns to its roots with a power running game. I don’t think Badger nation truly got behind Gary Andersen in his two seasons. With Chryst, he brings a sense of comfort to Madison because he seems to be the ideal fit for the job.

Taylor:  There will always be criticism directed towards a head coach no matter what. With that said, I think Paul Chryst will get a lot of slack this season. A true Wisconsin boy that finally came back home to be the head ball coach, a lot of Badger fans (myself included) believe he is the right guy for the job to get this Wisconsin team over the hump. I expect more praise than anything in 2015.

Jon: Praising. Chryst’s only litmus test heading into this season is a Cowboys-esque .500 tenure at Pitt. Anything resembling 2,000 yards through the air and 2,000 on the ground with 8 or more wins is a success for him.

Next: Which Badgers will win awards?