Spring Game Wrap-Up

At times it wasn't pretty...and at times it looked just average.

The offense was perhaps the most unimpressive. A group that is expected to be the best Wisconsin has seen in years looked average at best at times. But there is one key fact to keep in mind...injuries.

On the offensive line the Badgers were missing key members of what should be the starting group. The star of the wide receivers was also missing in action. Nick Toon was out because of a concussion that occurred in practice a week earlier.

The most obvious hole on the offense was in the backfield. John Clay was again in shorts rather than pads on Saturday. The good news is that it was a Saturday that doesn't count.

There in lies the greatest part of the spring game...it doesn't matter after spring practice. As of right now Wisconsin's record in 2010 is still 0-0, and most of the players that were sitting out on Saturday will be back in September.

I say most because of Curt Phillips, who is out for the season with a knee injury. His backup Jon Budmayr at times struggled in the spring game, but almost every Badger fan will be hoping he keeps the clipboard in his hands this season, and not a football.

Regardless of how average the Badgers looked at times Badger fans still have a lot to look forward to next season. John Clay is going to be a Heisman contender. A lot of players that sat of the spring game will be on the field, and the offense will be hopefully as good as many fans expect.

The positive from the spring game is how the defense has improved, and gotten deeper. With players like Chris Borland and Mike Taylor sitting out because of past injuries, there were a lot of questions about the Wisconsin defense outside the front seven. But the secondary at times look to be much improved, and the defensive line looked as strong as they will be expected to be in September.

A lot can change from now and September 4th, and there is reasons to be optimistic as a badger fan. This is a team that will be more balanced on the offensive side of the ball, and will feature a running back that may be the best in the country. The defense looks to be better than last year, and will feature one of the best defensive linemen in the country in J.J. Watt, and a solid linebacking corp with Taylor and Borland.

Definitly a lot to look forward to come September.