That this is just one of those "developmental years" where younger players get experience but will be ready to compete for Big Ten titles as upperclassmen?
Do you agree with Joel Klatt?
- Thread starter MotownMedilldo
- Start date
Yes, unfortunately. Especially once Hunter crapped the bed and Marty got hurt. Biggest area for improvement is the OL, where I would love to see us take a bunch of transfers to quickly improve.
Thing is we really don't have that many youngsters on the roster. We have a few graduate players, which is sort of rare. But the whole issue is moot. Until Fitz ditches ball control 101 for a 21st century offense, the program will stall out. You are not going to get top receivers to come to a program which doesn't give them a shot at 100 yards a game receiving, etc.
I recognize that the game has changed from decades ago, and that guys enter as freshmen and sometimes play with surprising success, but are things really to a point that a sophomore QB’s potential can be completely written off after a bad game against a #6 team on the road?
There will be better games and better seasons for him.
Yeah, the whole offensive philosophy is archaic for 2021. It doesn't help when there is somewhat of a mismatch on the line of scrimmage. Still if the season is lost at some point, I would like to see Richardson get a shot so we can get a look at him. We can't rely on the portal forever to fill the qb role, as that will just push any potential qb recruits away. I am all in for a youth movement so in 2023 we can be really competitive.
You missed the last few games where the most successful part of the passing game was “chuck it downfield to 5”?
No. Give me a list of those guys that are underclassmen that are playing and might develop. All three starting WRs are upper. 2 LBS are upper. Clair is upper. Samdup upper. Both specialists. 2 DL transfers.. Joseph, Tomi (?)and Skoronski are under but shouldn't need "development " as 2 year starters. Tyus is under but doesn't play much. So...Hilinski? He's in his 3rd year of FBS, he probably won't "develop" much more.
This team isn't terrible any more but is hardly developing underclassmen
Hilinski. Hull. Priebe. Clair has another year left. Heard. Mitchell. Azema. Joseph. Kirtz pre-injury. Gill. Gallagher. Lang. McLaughlin. To say nothing of probably our best offensive player, an underclassman who’s been out the whole year.
We have young guys that are developing, but the biggest issue I see is lack of size and ability on OL. I’ll be pounding the desk for 3-5 transfer OL to upgrade that room, which is not good enough right now.
You do Realize the highest rated recruit we have in this years class and highest rated recruit we had in last years class are WR’s?
Yes, now we need to find a great qb to throw them the ball. We still have 2 four star WRs still undecided. If we could land one of them would be tight, if the qb issue would be resolved.
Hilinksi, Hull, Clair, Joseph and Kirtz aren't "developing " players. They are known entities that may get somewhat better next year but are generally known talents. He didn't say "returning talent" he said "development". Gallagher, Priebe are developing players, for instance, however, Hilinski is a third year player. Joseph was consensus AA. Hull is a third year player. Hull is having his breakout year now and we are mediocre. We are NOT starting a ton of unknown frosh/sophs in hopes they breakout next year.
… which is a good thing, because the “throw them to the wolves and hope they get better by virtue of experience alone” strategy is pretty terrible. Ask Lovie Smith how that works out.
With the exception of Clair, those are all underclassmen who are playing significant minutes (I think, posted off the top of my head). Plenty of time yet for them to improve physically and on execution.
Name the top 10-12 players on this team and maybe there are 2 that won’t be back next year (assuming no transfers). Players typically get better as they get more experience playing. In essence, they are ALWAYS developing in college.
I think Wisky threw eight passes all day while pummeling Purdue and Illinois racked up like 400 yards on the ground, so basic football still works.
not only will it still work but it will always work. It’s about talent and execution.
Last edited:
Wisconsin’s starting OL averages about 20-25 pounds more per player than ours. I expressed concern in the preseason that we could effectively and consistently run block when our OL averages 295 pounds. My concerns have been validated.
This is exactly what I just looked up. They have no OL under 300 LBs (except 1-2 true frosh). We have only a couple OL over 300 LBs.
It calls into question not only recruiting, but also our training table and strength and conditioning program. I mean I get why our LT, at 6’3 and with his athleticism, can get away with it at 295.
Gary Barnett, Randy Walker, and Larry Lilja liked their OL big… we call it the Big Ten for a reason. Why are we so lean in the trenches?
Klatt's job is to paint the most optimistic possible future for both teams. This isn't the NFL where the announcers will say "this Lions team is god awful".
So to answer your question, maybe? The announcers say the same sort of things about Illinois, Maryland, Rutgers, etc.
Thanks, but the once proud B1G West Champs should not get used to being patronized with the bottom dwellers.