Q: What is your impression so far of Gary Andersen, especially compared to Bret Bielema? Do you think he can take UW to a national championship?-- Larry, Beaver Dam
A: This has been one of the most talked about topics since Andersen's arrival at Wisconsin, and it's especially interesting because the personalities of the two men are so different.
Bielema liked to be the star of the show and often came across as cocky or brash. He would lob shots at the SEC, Urban Meyer's so-called "illegal recruiting" tactics and stir up his share of controversy. Andersen is the exact opposite of Wisconsin's former coach in that regard. He doesn't say anything inflammatory and would prefer his players be spotlighted over him. In fact, some media members suggested at the Big Ten's media days last month that Andersen was too drab or boring, which made them long for the more colorful quotes of Bielema.
Andersen would prefer to stress bringing a family atmosphere to Wisconsin and developing trust with his players. He has accomplished those goals with his genuineness and caring attitude. He established a leadership committee on the team, a group of about 30 players who make internal decisions on the program. He created a Big Brother program for newcomers to pair with an older player on the team and learn the ropes.
In the offseason, he had players over to his house for barbeques and took an interest in their lives outside of football. Andersen is a family man with three college-age boys and has a different perspective and different life experiences.
I can recall being especially impressed back in April when I sat down for a 30-minute 1-on-1 interview with Andersen in his office. He didn't possess some air of superiority because he was the football coach at a Big Ten institution. This may be cliché, but he was just a down-to-earth guy who seemed to take pleasure in talking about football and life. I remember when I asked him a question he couldn't answer -- about what year he briefly taught in the youth custody program at a Salt Lake City high school -- he didn't want me to leave without the right answer. So, his secretary called his wife, Stacey, for an answer right on the spot (the year was 1994).
Can Andersen take Wisconsin to a national championship? If he stays for an extended period of time -- and there is every reason to believe Wisconsin is a destination job for him -- my answer would be yes. Bielema didn't leave the cupboard bare for Andersen, and now Andersen can recruit the type of players that will fit his system.
He has the positive energy and coaching acumen to make it happen -- see his performance turning around Utah State. It won't be easy, but Andersen is the type of coach who can convince every player to buy into his system without the need for false pretenses. Wisconsin has been close in recent years, usually one or two losses from being right there. UW will have to compete with Ohio State every year in the Big Ten, but Andersen and his coaching staff can push the Badgers over the top.
Q: Will the Badgers dominance at the O Line position continue this year? It seems that they keep plugging guys in, but don't have the big time guys that can hold the same position for a few years.-- Chris, Dallas
A: Wisconsin football fans have no doubt grown spoiled by the recent success of the Badgers' offensive line. In the past three years, seven UW linemen have been taken in the NFL Draft. To expect all five starters every year to be NFL Draft picks is probably unrealistic. Still, that doesn't mean Wisconsin is without pro talent again in 2013.
For starters, left guard Ryan Groy is considered one of the top linemen in the 2014 draft. NFLDraftScout.com ranks him the fifth-best tackle in the 2014 draft, while CBSSports.com has him ranked 10th. Groy has split time this camp at both guard and tackle and has to be among the most versatile linemen in the college game. NFL Draft 365 writer Mike Huguenin wrote last week that right tackle Rob Havenstein "has the size and potential to eventually play in the NFL." Havenstein is a 6-foot-8, 327-pound redshirt junior, and they simply don't make many guys like that on this planet.
Offensive line coach T.J. Woods has used several different combinations during fall camp in case the line faces injuries. But the most encouraging development is that there are now nine players he and Gary Andersen feels comfortable playing. Tyler Marz took advantage of his opportunity and is listed as the starting left tackle. Dallas Lewallen can play both tackle and center in a pinch. Kyle Costigan (15 games, nine starts) and Zac Matthias (32 games, four starts) each have considerable experience and are still battling for the starting right guard spot.
I disagree with the notion that Wisconsin doesn't have "the big time guys that can hold the same position for a few years." Wisconsin for years has been considered a developmental program because players generally don't play as underclassmen but eventually become key cogs in the starting rotation. Kevin Zeitler, now of the Cincinnati Bengals, appeared in three games with no starts as a freshman. Groy started two games as a redshirt freshman. So just because we don't know a ton about Lewallen or Marz doesn't mean they won't be successful.
It's also worth noting that Dan Voltz is a redshirt freshman and, barring a serious injury, you can expect him to be Wisconsin's starting center for most of the next four years. He suffered a right hamstring injury during fall camp, which has put him behind Lewallen for now, but Voltz is too smart and talented not to see the field. Perhaps he'll follow in Travis Frederick's footsteps, develop into one of the best centers in the country and leave for the NFL in three years.
Q: Seems like Jeff Lewis' RB instincts and speed would make him a prime candidate for kick returner. Any inclination as to why he has not done that to get on the field in an impact role?-- Brian M., Chicago
A: Let's consider the options Wisconsin would have in front of Lewis on kick returns. Last season, Melvin Gordon, Kenzel Doe and James White handled 20 of Wisconsin's 22 kickoffs, while Kyle Zuleger handled two kickoffs. All four of those players are back this season.
As athletes go, you're not going to find a much better trio than Gordon, Doe and White. And if Lewis can't beat out Gordon or White at running back, there is little reason to believe he could do so on kickoffs, where both also excel. In the pecking order of who gets those opportunities, Lewis would be last.
Doe, meanwhile, actually ranked 23rd in the nation in kickoff return average (27.9 yards) among players who returned at least seven kickoffs. And his big-play ability would be hard to keep off the field. That's the same guy, after all, that took a punt return 82 yards to the house against Andersen's Utah State team last season and turned the momentum in Wisconsin's favor.
Lewis has kept a positive attitude despite being stuck behind several talented players at running back, then safety and now running back again. He didn't really have time to worry about returning kicks this fall when he was worried about learning how to play safety for the first time since high school. Plus, it isn't easy to just plug a guy in on kickoffs and expect instant success. Gordon, White and Doe have developed trust with the coaches.
Should something go wrong to put Wisconsin in a pinch, remember Jared Abbrederis. He's been busy at wide receiver, but he still holds school records for career kickoff return average (25.8) and ranks third in punt return average (11.2). Abbrederis will likely split punt returns duty this season with Doe.
Lewis' most likely bet for playing time this season will be on special teams -- tackling kick returners on the other team.
Q: What is Connor Senger's status?-- Judy, Milwaukee
A: Senger is going to be one heck of a scout team quarterback for Wisconsin this season. If Tanner McEvoy stays at quarterback, then Senger will basically be the No. 5 signal caller on the roster behind Joel Stave, Curt Phillips, McEvoy and Bart Houston. But his value to the team is important.
Senger, a freshman walk-on from Milwaukee Pius XI, will provide athleticism and speed and give the defense a good look at what some of the more mobile opposing quarterbacks could offer. Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig raved about Senger last week, saying he had "unbelievable energy" and "super arm strength."
Senger has already earned the nickname "Young Russ" because he bears a striking resemblance to former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson. Of course, any comparisons to their talent on the field would be unfair at this point.
Still, Ludwig has been impressed thus far.
"That kid is smart," Ludwig said. "He's tough. He loves football and he'll do anything you ask of him. Some weeks, he's going to end up playing wide receiver on the scout team. If they need a drop-back passer, we'll maybe use Bart in that role, let him throw the ball because (Senger) is fast and quick and does a lot of good things. So he's doing a super job."
Q: What freshmen do you see making an impact this season? Like really being involved and making plays and not just against the sisters of the poor Wisconsin plays in the first two weeks.-- Fred, Milwaukee
A: There are five true freshmen on the roster that you can expect to make an impact of some kind this season: running back Corey Clement, cornerback Sojourn Shelton, cornerback Jakarrie Washington, outside linebacker Leon Jacobs and wide receiver Rob Wheelwright.
Shelton has been especially impressive in fall camp and was listed as a starter when Wisconsin revealed its first depth chart of the season on Monday. Washington was listed as his backup on the two-deep roster.
Jacobs is a raw athlete who played football for only two seasons before coming to Wisconsin. He played as a freshman, then concentrated on basketball before returning to football as a senior. His athleticism was so good that Andersen made it clear Jacobs would not take a redshirt season. One of his more eye-opening plays was when he tracked down running back Melvin Gordon from behind on an 82-yard run.
Clement, meanwhile, has established himself as a solid No. 3 running back behind James White and Gordon, and he's going to be a special player at Wisconsin. During his first of two scrimmages open to the public, Clement carried the ball 20 times for 98 yards with a touchdown. In his second scrimmage, he rushed 22 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. In his first fall camp, he showed himself to be a durable player who holds on to the football -- two vital components in Wisconsin's pro-style scheme.
Wheelwright could also make his presence felt this season. But his fall camp was up and down, and in the battle for playing time after Jared Abbrederis, Jordan Fredrick and Kenzel Doe, redshirt freshman Alex Erickson emerged as the most ready among a big group of wideouts.
Freshman Hayden Biegel is listed as the backup left tackle to Tyler Marz on the first depth chart, but I have to imagine coaches would prefer he take a redshirt season. Andersen has said he has nine offensive linemen he feels comfortable with, and Biegel could be on the outside looking in.
I would expect the rest of the team's freshmen to take a redshirt season and develop for an extra year, though things can obviously change during the season if injuries surface.
(Note: Look for the next opportunity to submit mailbag questions after Saturday's game. The mailbag will be a weekly feature during the season excluding bye weeks.)
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