Season opener @Wisconsin FS1 9/2/23 3:30pm

[promotherobot]

Thought I'd get this started. 8 days out and no chatter?

Edited August 27, 2023 by promotherobot

[BrooklynBull]

The game is not on the the Big 10 Network.  It is on FS1.

[UBinMD]

I am eager to see how the team comes together. A tough game out of the chute, but we should be able to gauge where we are. Wisconsin is usually a power rushing team, so our DL will get a workout likely.

[Bluebird96]

Looking forward to watching some UB football.  Certainly a tough matchup to start the season and not sure it will tell us much about what we can expect from the Bulls this year.  Game 2 vs Fordham should be a better measuring stick (and see if we learned anything from last year’s letdown vs Holy Cross).  Will feel really good about things if we manage to enter MAC play at 3-1.  Go Bulls! 🤘

Edited August 31, 2023 by Bluebird96

[SGBull]

Looks like Wisconsin is about a 4TD favorite for the game. I think UB will cover, I have a good feeling about this season. 

[UBinMD]

Not sure if this is 100% accurate, but looks like a good place to start for the depth chart:

Dom Polizzi is in at C

Harding Jr, Currie and Harrity are WR, but I would expect to see a lot of Johnson and McMillan as well

Top 3 TE all new guys with Jake Orlando getting the nod

Gunnar Gray looks to have beaten out Ogbonna for QB2

Usual Suspects at RB, with RB4 going to transfer Kedzior. Mr Ohio looks to be taking a redshirt season 

10 of 11 on D were on the team last year (maybe not starters), but that is fantastic consistency. Andressen is the only new face as the starting MLB

Like to see Kyler Liang back in the lineup

Fuqua and Grant at safety should be fun. Looking for improvement from CB this season. Also Tre Hines is a full time CB after a really nice bowl game and is 2nd team so will get good action.

Same specialists again this season. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/buffalo/90199

[clodney]

Sounds like Wisconsin will be trying a new offensive system that strays from their typical ground and pound running. This could bode well for us in the first half given our defensive experience but I'd expect them to go back to their basics later in the game and start to run us over. I'm hopeful that we can keep it interesting for a bit.

[ChubbyHubby]

UB - 24

Badgirls - 23

[UBinMD]

Just now, ChubbyHubby said:

UB - 24

Badgirls - 23

I would sign-up for that.

[UB92]

4 hours ago, clodney said:

Sounds like Wisconsin will be trying a new offensive system that strays from their typical ground and pound running. This could bode well for us in the first half given our defensive experience but I'd expect them to go back to their basics later in the game and start to run us over. I'm hopeful that we can keep it interesting for a bit.

This sounds like a reasonable projection.  I do think that UB will keep it relatively close and, maybe, lose 31 to 13 or something like that, with a long 4th quarter TD run by Wisconsin putting the game out of reach.

[DaBulls99]

From what I’ve heard they’re trying to install Air Raid. If there’s ever a time to play them, it’s now. 

[RecoveringHillbilly]

Game notes

• WR 5 BOOBIE CURRY 6-2, 205, Sr. 3 Darrell Harding, Jr. 6-4, 210, Gr.
• LT 74 ISAIAH WRIGHT 6-4, 304, Jr. 73 Henry Tabansi 6-5, 282, Fr.
• LG 69 GABE WALLACE 6-6, 321, Gr. 60 Andrew Kerwin 6-4, 280, Jr.
• C 66 DOM POLIZZI 6-1, 286, Sr. 53 Sydney Walker 6-2, 285, Gr.
• RG 78 TYLER DOTY 6-5, 333, Jr. 79 Trevor Brock 6-6, 310, So.
• RT 77 CAELAN SHEPARD 6-6, 333, Sr. 76 Nick Fronczak 6-6, 272, So.
• TE 81 JAKE ORLANDO -or- 6-6, 245, R-Sr. 89 ZION CARTER 6-6, 257, Gr. 80 Cameron Ball 6-6, 247, R-Fr.
• QB 15 COLE SNYDER 6-2, 209, 5th 9 Gunnar Gray -or- 6-4, 217, Jr. 10 CJ Ogbonna 6-2, 212, Jr.
• RB 2 RON COOK, JR. 5-9, 190, Sr. 8 Mike Washington, Jr. 6-2, 222, So. 22 Al-Jay Henderson -or- 6-0, 200, So. 32 Lamar Sperling 5-10, 189, Fr.
• WR 0 COLE HARRITY 6-0, 197, Gr. 1 Qua Sanders 6-2, 193, Jr.
• WR 11 MARLYN JOHNSON 6-4, 206, 5th 17 Nik McMillan -or- 6-1, 180, R-Fr. 6 Chance Morrow 6-6, 200, R-Fr.

 

• DE 6 MAX MICHEL 6-2, 235, Gr. 4 Jyaire Stevens 6-4, 234, Sr.
• DT 95 DAYMOND WILLIAMS 6-3, 287, Gr. 90 George Wolo 6-0, 275, Sr.
• DT 0 JAYLON BASS 6-3, 295, Sr. 98 Daishon Folsom 6-2, 286, Sr.
• DE 53 C.J. BAZILE 6-3, 250, Sr. 13 Kameron Olds 6-4, 245, So.
• LB 52 SHAUN DOLAC 6-1, 225, Sr. 18 Dion Crawford 6-1, 221, Fr.
• LB 12 JOE ANDREESSEN -or- 6-1, 234, Gr. 2 RED MURDOCK 6-3, 230, R-Fr.
• NICK 8 JALEN MCNAIR 5-9, 185, Jr. 7 Solomon Brown -or- 5-11, 190, Sr. 30 D’Andre Greeley 6-0, 180, So.
• CB 5 CALEB OFFORD 6-1, 194, Sr. 1 Jayden Oliver 6-3, 183, R-Jr.
• S 10 MARCUS FUQUA 6-0, 200, Gr. 19 Jonathan Capo 6-0, 198, So.
• S 3 DEMETRIUS HARRIS, JR. 6-2, 197, Gr. 29 Jerrod Gentry -or- 6-0, 200, So. 36 Chandler Brown 6-1, 190, Jr.
• CB 9 CLEVESTER HINES III 6-2, 185, Sr. 32 Amonte Strothers 6-1, 195, R-5th

 

• K 16 ALEX McNULTY 6-1, 230, Gr. 93 Nick Reed 5-7, 169, Fr.
• P 94 ANTHONY VENNERI 6-0, 225, So. 14 Jackson Baltar 5-11, 180, 5th
• H 14 JACKSON BALTAR 5-11, 180, 5th
• LS 37 EVAN DAVIS 5-10, 207, 5th 51 Nick Hemer 6-4, 188, R-Fr.
• KOR 2 RON COOK, JR. 5-9, 190, Sr. 17 NIK MCMILLAN 6-1, 180, R-Fr.
• PR 2 RON COOK, JR. 5-9, 190, Sr. 17 Nik McMillan 6-1, 180, R-Fr

[promotherobot]

On 8/25/2023 at 2:46 PM, UBinMD said:

I am eager to see how the team comes together. A tough game out of the chute, but we should be able to gauge where we are. Wisconsin is usually a power rushing team, so our DL will get a workout likely.

Remember last year at Maryland? That was a game they could have won. Beat themselves more than beaten by the Terps.

[UBinMD]

1 hour ago, promotherobot said:

Remember last year at Maryland? That was a game they could have won. Beat themselves more than beaten by the Terps.

I remember, we could have won for sure, but our offense was vanilla that day. The OC was scared and didn’t know what he had. Snyder played well but wasn’t allowed to open it up. I think this year will be different. I’m told the new OC is more aggressive and creative. If our DL can control the trenches, we have a shot 

[badgers007]

16 hours ago, DaBulls99 said:

From what I’ve heard they’re trying to install Air Raid. If there’s ever a time to play them, it’s now. 

Phil Longo is one of the best OCs in the country, and comes from the Mike Leach coaching tree, but I'd look at it more as elements of the Air Raid, rather than all-out assault.  Immediate eligibility in the portal has made it easier than ever to plug-and-play + lessen the curve of installing a new system, but you are still correct that it's the right time to catch Wisconsin.

When Longo was at UNC and had three-straight years of Michael Carter, Javonte Williams and Ty Chandler, UNC ran the ball about 45 percent of the time.  If the pedigree of RB is there, Longo has demonstrated the ability to balance his offense.  Luckily, he has Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi in the backfield.  Last season, Braelon faced 20 more 8-man boxes than the next RB in the country and still finished with ~1,250 yards.  He's been vocal about his excitement for the new offense and facing less-stacked boxes.

Speaking of which, the weakest links of Wisconsin's offense have quickly become a strength.  In the off-season, Luke Fickell and Longo brought in three former four-star QBs (Tanner Mordecai, Braedyn Locke and Nick Evers).  Mordecai was the shoe-in starter after a couple big years at SMU.  At WR, the staff was able to grab CJ Williams (USC transfer, 2022 No. 73 overall composite), Bryson Green (Oklahoma State, 16 yards/catch and 5 TDs), Will Pauling (Cincinnati transfer; had best spring/fall camp of any player on the roster), and Quincy Burroughs.  Pairing those first three names with some holdovers from the previous regime, including Chimere Dike (690 yards, 15 yards/catch), gives Mordecai a wealth of options in the passing game.

Some questions linger, though...

1. Remains to be seen the involvement of TEs in this offense.  Longo did utilize them at UNC, but Wisconsin is very, very thin after a couple medical retirements.  With so much depth at WR, Wisconsin may opt for more four WR looks.

2. Though the two-deep at OL is loaded with four- and five-stars, how will they handle tempo?  Remember, they were recruited in the old Wisconsin offense.  Don't think I worry so much about the first couple games, but you wonder how the unit will hold up as the season moves along.  Also, Jake Renfo was expected to be Wisconsin's starting center.  He won't play on Saturday, though, so it'll be Tanor Bortolini, who is Wisconsin's most-versatile, experienced OL.  However, it's not easy to snap out of shotgun the entire game.  There were some reported bad snaps in the spring, but didn't hear much in fall camp (no news is good news, I guess).

Sorry for the long-winded post.  Just wanted to add some context to Wisconsin's new system and what it might look like.

Edited August 30, 2023 by badgers007

[UBinMD]

7 minutes ago, badgers007 said:

Phil Longo is one of the best OCs in the country, and comes from the Mike Leach coaching tree, but I'd look at it more as elements of the Air Raid, rather than all-out assault.  Immediate eligibility in the portal has made it easier than ever to plug-and-play + lessen the curve of installing a new system, but you are still right that it's the right time to catch Wisconsin.

When Longo was at UNC and had three-straight years of Michael Carter, Javonte Williams and Ty Chandler, UNC ran the ball about 45 percent of the time.  If the pedigree of RB is there, Longo has demonstrated the ability to balance his offense.  Luckily, he has Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi in the backfield.  Last season, Braelon faced 20 more 8-man boxes than the next RB in the country and still finished with ~1,250 yards.  He's been vocal about his excitement for the new offense and facing less-stacked boxes.

Speaking of which, the weakest links of Wisconsin's offense have quickly become a strength.  In the off-season, Luke Fickell and Longo brought in three former four-star QBs (Tanner Mordecai, Braedyn Locke and Nick Evers).  Mordecai was the shoe-in starter after a couple big years at SMU.  At WR, the staff was able to grab CJ Williams (USC transfer, 2022 No. 73 overall composite), Bryson Green (Oklahoma State, 16 yards/catch and 5 TDs), Will Pauling (Cincinnati transfer; had best spring and fall camp of any player on the roster), and Quincy Burroughs.  Pairing those first three names with some holdovers from the previous regime, including Chimere Dike (690 yards, 15 yards/catch), gives Mordecai a wealth of options in the passing game.

Some questions linger, though...

1. Remains to be seen the involvement of TEs in this offense.  Longo did utilize them at UNC, but Wisconsin is very, very thin after a couple medical retirements.  With so much depth at WR, Wisconsin may opt for more four WR looks.

2. Though the two-deep at OL is loaded with four- and five-stars, how will they handle tempo?  Remember, they were recruited in the old Wisconsin offense.  Don't think I worry so much about the first couple games, but you wonder how the unit will hold up as the season moves along.  Also, Jake Renfo was expected to be Wisconsin's starting center.  He won't play, though, so it'll be Tanor Bortolini, who is Wisconsin's most-versatile, experienced OL.  However, it's not easy to snap out of shotgun the entire game.  There were some reported bad snaps in the spring, but didn't hear much in fall camp (no news is good news).

Sorry for the long-winded post.  Just wanted to add some context to Wisconsin's new system and what it might look like.

Thank you for the perspective and we are looking forward to a good game!

[UB Horns Up]

I think Wisconsin Badgers will win this game early on at the line of scrimmage both sides offensive and defensive line of scrimmage something like 35-24 over the Buffalo Bulls. I hope I am wrong in my opinion. UB Horns Up! Go Bulls! Let’s Go Buffalo

[promotherobot]

I put a friendly wager on UB staying within 27.5, and a tiny one on a win outright at 15:1.

[UBinMD]

Fun fact:

Virginia (P5 team) is a 28 pt underdog to #12 Tennessee on the road

Buffalo is a 28 pt underdog to #19 Wisconsin on the road

Not sure if that is good for Buffalo or shows a big disparity in the supposed P5 programs that one team is a 4 TD favorite when you are supposed to be on the same “level”

[SGBull]

Wake up! It’s game day! 

[DaBulls99]

Strap in. Let’s go!

[ukbro00]

I'm hoping that DJ Mangas can invigorate this offense. Besides the 4-5 headed RB tandem and some interesting WR transfers (Harding and Morrow), the rest of the offense needs to significantly improve from last year to make a difference this season. None of the starting OL had an above average grade from PFF last season (60.0+). 

On the other hand, this is, by far, the best defense that UB has ever had. All 8 DL on the 2-deep are difference makers. Both LBers, Dolac and Andreesen are studs. The secondary needs to be better, but if Tre Hines plays like he did in the bowl game, there is much less to worry about.  

[Ubbullsfan09]

Honestly I consider it a major success if we cover the point spread. Not that we are bad, Wisconsin is just a very good team and a much bigger test than the Maryland team we lost by 21 to last year. 

[SGBull]

I will take this start to the game. Also, the announcers really like saying Wisconsin has an air raid offense... 

[Ubbullsfan09]

Horrible no call on the pass interference. With McNulty missing, that could sadly be a momentum shift