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Wisconsin Football: Five positives to take away from the season

By Tanner Nestle

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 13: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers tries to outrun the tackle of Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 38-13. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 13: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers tries to outrun the tackle of Devin Bush #10 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 38-13. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin Football Jonathan Taylor
MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 06: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the ball in the third quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Jonathan Taylor proved he is the real deal

There wasn’t much doubt to this, but Jonathan Taylor followed up his freshman season the best way possible. Of course, his great season was snubbed of any sort of Heisman Trophy love. Taylor received just one first-place vote and finished ninth overall in the voting.

Including the bowl game, Taylor ran for 2,194 yards on 7.1 yards per carry. His 16 touchdowns are likely the second reason for his low finish in the Heisman voting, behind the poor performance of his team. The Heisman Trophy, after all, has become largely a popularity contest.

Taylor doesn’t need a Heisman Trophy though. People all over college football are well aware that Taylor is as good as they come. He’s a volume runner but still does great things with his large volume of carries, as evidenced by his 7.1 yards per touch. That’s an insane stat for somebody that touches the ball as often as he does, and it’s why he racks up the impressive yardage totals that he does.

There can’t possibly be any doubt that next year, likely Taylor’s final year in Madison before turning pro, he will approach 2,000 yards rushing yet again. Unfortunately, unless Wisconsin is contending for a national championship, he will probably also be snubbed of any Heisman Trophy attention again as well.

But that doesn’t matter. Taylor is the real deal, and he is Wisconsin’s key to victory. Anybody foolish enough to bet against him last season certainly won’t do that again next season. And Badger fans are more aware than anybody of just how special of a talent Taylor is.