Somewhat OT: SMU's Starting QB in the Portal (likely headed to Wisconsin)
Adam Rittenberg is reporting SMU's Tanner Mordecai is likely headed to Wisconsin.
Why is that news?
Obviously Wisconsin is a conference team (though not on the '23 regular season schedule*) and they are definitely going to a spread offense with Mordeci and Phil Longo, their new OC.
We'll see, but it could also be Michigan related. I won't link another Michigan site, but 247 has a nice article on Bowman's decision to enter the portal, while remaining with the team (he's in Arizona).
First, Bowman - a leader, class act, wish him nothing but the best. It was a great read. But second, he's indicated that he wanted to get back to Texas. I just read the article an hour ago and I've been sitting watching the Alamo Bowl thinking about what Texas schools could use a starting QB (because he's obviously not leaving to be a backup).
Alan may have just found his landing spot. SMU would be a great fit for him!
Anyway, it'll be weird/interesting seeing Wisconsin go no-huddle and spread, but it looks like they got their starting QB for next season.
*(for those interested, Michigan's crossover games are @Nebraska, @Minnesota, vs. Purdue)*
December 29th, 2022 at 10:30 PM ^
This feels a bit like Rich Rod...
December 29th, 2022 at 10:38 PM ^
A little, but Fickell knows what it takes to win in the B1G
December 30th, 2022 at 5:41 AM ^
Does Wisconsin have the personnel to run the spread? You can't change the offense over-night if you have a team of ground-and-pound players. Ask Rich Rod.
December 30th, 2022 at 5:49 PM ^
Fickle also knows how to lose to Michigan
December 30th, 2022 at 7:11 AM ^
If you're talking culture change on the field, sure. That was one of many reasons (and not the most important one) RichRod wasn't destined to succeed at Michigan. There aren't many programs more hidebound than the Wolverines. It was so bad that hiring a mediocre MAC coach as a replacement seemed like a good idea.
Still, Fickell is a Midwesterner, so the overall cultural fit should be good.
Also, he's a much better recruiter and developer of talent than RichRod. Look at the recruiting rankings of his recent NFL picks. Look at how many NFL players Arizona had from the RichRod years.
December 30th, 2022 at 7:14 AM ^
Rich Rod was a system...an arrogant (or naive) one that thought he could replicate everything and replicate the success.
Fickell is a football coach who is trying to implement a new system.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:47 PM ^
Didn’t the badgers just get Nick Evers from OU?
December 29th, 2022 at 11:58 PM ^
My guess is the expectation is that Evers will be given a chance to compete for the starting job next year, but he is more likely a future starter two years from now. Mordecai only has one year of eligibility left and is probably the favorite to win the job next year.
December 29th, 2022 at 10:55 PM ^
I can get why Braelon Allen wouldn't want to come to Michigan and be second-string behind Edwards, but I don't understand why he wants to stay and play for Fickell's pass-first offense, especially after Leonhard wasn't retained
December 30th, 2022 at 7:21 AM ^
Wisconsin kid who loves Wisconsin
December 29th, 2022 at 11:24 PM ^
I do wonder what Wisconsin is going to try to do offensively this year. The defense I get with Fickell but trying to play a mile a minute isn't stylistically something Wisconsin, or really Fickell, has done in the past.
December 30th, 2022 at 7:42 AM ^
No way can I believe that Fickell will try to implement a fast paced, pass first, pass all the time, go fast offense in Wisconsin. They don't have the parts! I can believe, though, that he's going to bring in a lot of what Urban Meyer's spread to run with power offense that UW is (more or less) perfectly set up for. So long as the QB can put the ball on target, the WR's will be fine. And they have Allen at RB and a decent OL. If Longo can reign in the pass happiness, they're set up to look like a poor man's version of 2015 OSU. And that doesn't sound so bad for Wisconsin...
December 30th, 2022 at 11:33 AM ^
I know there’s a lot of disdain on the board for the Badgers, but I have to say I really like what they did with making the move for Fickell and what he’s going to try to implement in Madison. The tough, sound defense is non-negotiable in the B1G but the offensive philosophies have been so bad in the entire conference sans OSU, UM, and Purdue. Say what you will about the nature of Longo’s offense but it’s a proven and developed scheme that’s been around good football minds and continues to be iterated upon. If Wisconsin can return to developing oline talent, they’re going to return to the 3rd-4th best program in the conference. Fickell was an excellent hire for the next chapter in Madison and he’s going to get an opportunity to play a very specific brand of football. It honestly is just another Zig. Good for the conference.