The Wisconsin Badgers' 2017 season is just a few weeks away, so it's time to take a quick look at their schedule and learn a little bit about the teams that are standing between them and another Big Ten West division title.
Utah State is up first, and to learn a little bit more about the Aggies we spoke with Jason Turner of the Logan Herald Journal - you can follow him on Twitter at @hjtrebek. Our questions and Jason's answers are included below.
It's been a while since the Badgers last hosted the Aggies at Camp Randall - before Gary Andersen left Logan for his brief stint at Wisconsin. Since then Matt Wells won 19 games in his first two seasons, but the Aggies slipped to 6-7 in 2015 and just 3-9 in 2016. Is there a general trend behind the decline? Or do you think it's more of a blip in the road, since the Aggies lost four games by fewer than 7 points?
Jason Turner: I think it's more than a blip in the road. The Aggies have struggled ever since thumping Boise State at home on Oct. 16, 2015. The Aggies have really struggled with consistency since that win. Utah State very rarely played well on both sides of the ball in a game, and sometimes the inconsistencies were quarter to quarter. It's hard to pinpoint exactly why the Aggies have been so inconsistent. Part of the problem last season was the resurgence of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West. USU was the only team from that division that wasn't bowl eligible. Injuries have certainly been a factor over the past few seasons. I really think USU's offense would have been significantly better a year ago had running back Devante Mays been healthy. USU's defense was definitely a bit down in 2016 after losing three players — linebackers Kyler Fackrell and Nick Vigil, and safety Marwin Evans — to the NFL. USU's special teams play has also slipped over the past two seasons. Lastly, Utah State hasn't proven it can win on the road over the past two seasons. USU's last road victory was Oct. 10, 2015, against a reeling Fresno State squad.
What kind of offensive and defensive schemes are the Aggies running now, and what did Matt Wells bring to the table when he took over for Andersen in 2013?
JT: USU's offense will definitely have a new look this season thanks to the hiring of offensive coordinator David Yost, who has been a proven commodity for nearly two decades. USU's offense operated with quite a bit more tempo during spring camp, and I think it translated to better, more crisp play. Matt Wells handled the offensive play calling last season and it's a challenging task doing that and being the head coach. I do think the Aggies will be better in 2017 with Yost in charge of the play calling. I think you'll see a lot of three-and four-receiver sets this fall. USU's base defense typically fluctuates between a 3-4 and 4-3. Coach Wells definitely has a passion for the program, being that he is a former quarterback for the Aggies. Gary Andersen did an excellent job of identifying and recruiting in-state talent when he was the head coach, and I think that trend has continued for the most part under Wells, although not to the same extent.
What kind of experience is Utah State bringing back from their 2016 squad? Is this a veteran group now or are the Aggies counting on some fresh blood to get them back to a bowl game?
JT: The Aggies will return a fair amount of experience from their 2016 squad — eight offensive and seven defensive players who started multiple games last season. USU has a very experienced dual-style quarterback in senior Kent Myers, who has played ever since he was a freshman. In order for the Aggies to thrive offensively, though, they need to be able to run the ball better. Over the past two-three years, Myers has been at his best when throwing 25-30 times a game and not 35-plus. Maybe that changes with the new offense, but we will see. USU's running game should be better this season as Tonny Lindsey and LaJuan Hunt have plenty of experience now. The Aggies have an elite receiver in Ron'quavion Tarver, although losing Rayshad Lewis (transferred to Maryland) certainly hurts. If tight end Dax Raymond and safeties Dallin Leavitt and Jontrell Rocquemore can stay healthy in 2017, USU should be improved in 2017. All three of those guys — among the top players in the Mountain West at their position — missed significant chunks of last season. In fact, Raymond didn't play a single down. Three transfers I feel who should be impact players this season are Devon Anderson (defensive end), Rob Castaneda (offensive line) and Suli Tamaivena (linebacker). Castaneda played two seasons at Texas Tech, and Tamaivena originally signed with Washington State out of a junior college.
If you had to pick, who would you say are the most important players for Utah State on offense and defense? Who would they have the hardest time replacing?
JT: I would say USU's most important offensive players are Myers and Tarver, with Leavitt and cornerback Jalen Davis anchoring the defense. I believe Leavitt is probably the Aggies' most indispensable player, even though they are deep at safety. Not only is Leavitt an outstanding player, he is probably the team's best leader. The amount of energy and enthusiasm he brings to the team is off the charts.
Finally, I know it's early, but how do you see this season playing out for the Aggies? Do you think they can make it back to a bowl game after they made five straight from 2011 through 2015? And what are your early thoughts about how their season-opener against Wisconsin will go?
JT: I do think the Aggies will be quite a bit better in 2017. Frankly, I expect them to be better on both sides of the ball. Nevertheless, I feel USU will be hard pressed to win half of its games. Like I said earlier, the Mountain Division of the Mountain West is tough. Additionally, USU's non-conference schedule features road games against Wisconsin and fellow Power 5 Conference program Wake Forest — the Demon Deacons were much improved last season — plus a home game against what should be a very good BYU team. Given their recent road struggles, I have a very difficult time thinking the Aggies can win at Camp Randall. They will need to stay close early and win the turnover battle to even stay close. USU struggled mightily to create turnovers a year ago, so it must do much better in that department to return to a bowl game.
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John Veldhuis covers Wisconsin football, basketball and recruiting for BadgerBlitz.com on the Rivals.com network. Follow him on Twitter at @JohnVeldhuis.
