Between 1970-1990, Wisconsin Badgers football was anything but an ascendant college football team. A period of 20 seasons resulted in an uninspiring 0.41 winning percentage over a span of 234 games played.
Additionally, within the Big Ten, Wisconsin compiled a lackluster 0.37 winning percentage. At this point of time, the iconic “W” symbolized everything but “win.”
Fast forward to the Badgers of today. With the 2017 season close at hand, Wisconsin has been nothing but reliable since its 1993 Rose Bowl victory against Ohio State. This victory set the tone for what would become six appearances in the Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl, seven AP Top 10 finishes and 11 seasons of 10-plus wins.
Throughout this era, UW has made the program identifiable through a successful rushing team and Big Ten defense capable of competing with any opponent.
There is one word, though, that current left tackle Michael Deiter uses to describe the various pieces and expectations of the 2017 running game: dominant.
“That’s how it’s always been here at Wisconsin and that’s what we’ve always wanted to do," Deiter said Monday. "I think this year is a year when we can really put it all together.”
Arguably, the expectations are as high, if not higher, than the looming pressure facing the offensive line and running backs. Numerous backs have carried Wisconsin’s offense, with names such as Melvin Gordon, James White and Montee Ball bringing a smile to Badger faithful.
Fast forward to 2017 and the Badgers are now without Corey Clement and Dare Ogunbowale, two credentialed players hoping to make a name for themselves in the NFL. Their absences will be large shoes to fill for a young offensive backfield.
Enter Chris James, Bradrick Shaw and Jonathan Taylor. If injuries can avoid 1440 Monroe Street this season, there is the potential of a three-headed RB monster emerging once again (i.e. 2010 Wisconsin football season).
Notably, Deiter, a 6-foot-6, 328-pound redshirt junior, recognizes the potential of not only the running backs but the offensive line.
“The last two years have been OK [rushing/O-line], but we have taken that next step," Deiter said. "We’ve had this camp, depth at back and we have a lot of rushing attacks put together. We’re there and ready to take that next step and to have a special year running the ball.”
Deiter frequently credits the skills of his fellow Badgers, yet is quiet about his capability to effectively transition between center and left tackle. In 2015, he was an All-Big Ten Media Honorable Mention and Big Ten All-Freshman. Then came 2016, when Deiter received a consensus All-Big Ten honorable mention. Already in 2017, the Ohio native is on watch lists for the Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy.
Not only has Deiter embraced his new role away from the center position, he’s succeeding as left tackle.
“It’s going well. It’s all coming together at the right time and starting to feel like my true position for the season,” he said. “There’s a lot of stuff to get better at, obviously, but it’s been a lot of fun and I think it’s been going really well.”
Deiter’s track record and work ethic suggest he should have no trouble fully adjusting. Additionally, Deiter has been mentoring his younger teammates in preparation for Friday night's kickoff against Utah State.
“It’s a crazy atmosphere, but you have to do your best not to make it crazy for you," Deiter said. "Only thing I can really tell them is to calm everything down, but that’s easier said than done.”
Indeed, taking a step back and coming to a solution has worked for Deiter and the Wisconsin football program. Both had to reconfigure their image, yet little debate remains as both benefited from their transformation.
“It’s all a little crazy, but if you can do your best to calm it all down, slow everything down, it ends up being football no matter what’s around you,” Deiter said. “So, if you can take that mentality it will all be OK.”
The 2017 Wisconsin Badgers will be more than OK, and rightfully so.
