The page has turned to Week 2 for the Wisconsin Badgers. After an uncomfortable 28-14 Week 1 win over Western Michigan, the team is now in preparation mode for its upcoming contest against South Dakota.
South Dakota figures to present the Badgers with somewhat of a challenge. The Coyotes entered the season ranked No. 5 in the FCS preseason coaches poll. They backed that ranking up in Week 1 with a 45-3 win over Northern State. The team cannot be overlooked, especially after the Badgers’ minor struggles against Western Michigan.
Updated game-by-game predictions for Wisconsin football after Week 1 win over Western Michigan
Week 2’s performance is important for Luke Fickell’s team. The team needs to hit a groove and find momentum before No. 5 Alabama visits Madison on Sept. 14. It especially needs to do so before Big Ten play begins on Sept. 28 with a road trip to No. 23 USC.
Here is how the team will line up for Week 2 against South Dakota. The new depth chart looks similar to the Week 1 lineup, with a few minor depth changes:
Quarterback
Aug 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (10) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Starter: Tyler Van Dyke
Backup: Braedyn Locke
Running Back
Aug 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Chez Mellusi (1) rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Starter: Tawee Walker OR Chez Mellusi
Backup: Cade Yacamelli
The Week 1 lineup included Mellusi as the starter and Walker as the backup. Each received a similar workload, which is now reflected in the new two-deep. Yacamelli was the third running back off the bench.
Wide Receiver (1)
Jan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Florida; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Bryson Green (9) celebrates a touchdown against the LSU Tigers in the first quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Starter: Bryson Green
Backup: Chris Brooks Jr.
Wide Receiver (2)
Jan 1, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (86) rushes with the ball during the second half against the LSU Tigers at the Reliaquest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Starter: Vinny Anthony OR C.J. Williams
Backup: Haakon Anderson
Anderson slides into the two-deep after Quincy Burroughs missed Friday’s opener with an injury.
Wide Receiver (slot)
Aug 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling (6) rushes with the football during the second quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Starter: Will Pauling
Backup: Trech Kekahuna
Tight End
Wisconsin tight end Riley Nowakowski (37) makes a reception during the first quarter of their game against Western Michigan Friday, August 30, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starter: Riley Nowakowski
Backup: Tucker Ashcraft
Left Tackle
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jack Nelson (79) goes through a drill during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starter: Jack Nelson
Backup: Barrett Nelson
Left Guard
Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Brunner (56) goes through drills with Jake Renfro (57) during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starter: Joe Brunner
Backup: James Durand
Center
Wisconsin offensive lineman Jake Renfro (57) is shown during the fourth quarter of their game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Nebraska 24-17 in overtime. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Starter: Jake Renfro
Backup: Kerry Kodanko
Right Guard
Wisconsin offensive lineman Joe Huber go through a drill during the team’s 14th spring practice, which was held Tuesday morning April 30, 2024 at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starter: Joe Huber
Backup: J.P. Benzschawel
Right Tackle
Wisconsin offensive lineman Riley Mahlman (71) blocks Maryland defensive lineman Tommy Akingbesote (99) during the second quarter of their game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starter: Riley Mahlman
Backup: Kevin Heywood (true freshman)
Defensive Line (1)
Nov. 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Wisconsin Badgers defensive end Ben Barten (68) sacks Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (8) during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
Starter: Ben Barten
Backup: Elijah Hills
Defensive Line (2)
Wisconsin defensive line coach E.J. Whitlow talks with Curt Neal during spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starter: Curt Neal
Backup: Cade McDonald
Outside Linebacker (1)
Aug 30, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) during the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Starter: Darryl Peterson
Backup: Aaron Witt
Outside Linebacker (2)
Wisconsin outside linebacker Leon Lowery goes through a drill during the team’s 10th spring practice, which was held on a practice field north of Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday April 20, 2024. Credit: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starter: John Pius OR Leon Lowery
Backup: Sebastian Cheeks
Inside Linebacker (1)
Jan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Florida; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jake Chaney (36) reacts after a stop during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Starter: Jake Chaney
Backup: Tackett Curtis
Inside Linebacker (2)
Wisconsin linebacker Jaheim Thomas (7) stops Western Michigan running back Jaden Nixon (3) short of a first down during the first quarter of their game Friday, August 30, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starter: Jaheim Thomas
Backup: Christian Alliegro
Cornerback (1)
Defensive back Ricardo Hallman warms up for spring practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin, on Tuesday April 2, 2024. Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Starter: Ricardo Hallman
Backup: R.J. Delancy OR Jonas Duclona
Cornerback (2)
Jan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Florida; LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) runs with the ball towards Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (10) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Starter: Nyzier Fourqurean
Backup: R.J. Delancy OR Xavier Lucas (true freshman)
Cornerback (Nickel)
Nov. 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Max Lofy (12) celebrates following a tackle during the third quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Starter: Max Lofy
Backup: Owen Arnett
Strong Safety
Nov. 11, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers safety Hunter Wohler (24) celebrates following a play during the third quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Starters: Hunter Wohler
Backups: Austin Brown
Free Safety
Nov. 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson (9) runs with the ball as Wisconsin Badgers defensive back Preston Zachman (14) and linebacker Jordan Turner (54) give chase during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
Starters: Preston Zachman
Backups: Kamo’i Latu
Specialists
Jan. 1, 2024; Tampa, Florida; Wisconsin Badgers punter Gavin Meyers (28) holds the ball for Wisconsin Badgers place kicker Nathanial Vakos (90) during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Kicker: Nathanial Vakos
Punter: Atticus Bertrams
Long Snapper: Cayson Pfeiffer (transfer, Cincinnati)
Punt Returner: Vinny Anthony
Kick Returner: Trech Kekahuna
Anthony and Kekahuna are flipped after the first week.
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