Rittenberg: Russell Wilson B1G's best player
Rittenberg, in ESPN and his "five things we learned this week" column, has #1 as "Wisconsin is the conference's best team and Wilson it's best player." Also gives our defense kudos in #5, (alongside unfortunately, also praising State).
I haven't watched more than a quarter or two of Wisconsin, but to those of you who have: would you agree with the statement on Wilson?
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/48634/what-we-learned-in-th…
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:23 PM ^
I was a little bit skeptical because of their competition the first few weeks, but from what I've seen so far, I'd have to agree. The touch he can put on the ball is impressive and he's doing a good job of leading a good offense and not turning the ball over.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:42 PM ^
Wilson was one of the better players in the country when he was at NC State but no one was paying any attention at the time because, well, he was playing for NC State. I still can't believe that O'Brien basically told Wilson to take a hike. Just stupid.
EDIT: Wilson's stats for his 3 years at NCSU -- 8545 passing yards, 1083 rushing yards, 76 passing TD, 26 INT and 17 rushing TD. His completion % was a little low (under 60%) and he threw too many picks his So. (11) and Jr. (14) seasons but he was bascially required to carry their offense as they never had much of a running game.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:59 PM ^
I remember one year he had a crazy streak of some 300 passes w/o an int.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:11 PM ^
That was actually his first year (freshman) amazingly enough. He had a 17 to 1 TD-INT ratio that year. Phenomenal start.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:26 PM ^
dismantle FSU last year, pretty much single-handedly and thought who is this guy? I was shocked when I heard he would be at Wisconsin.
Probably demonstrates that quite a number of players, given the right context, could really shine. Reason why the NFL scouts get big bux.
October 2nd, 2011 at 9:49 PM ^
He shines in Wisconsins offense. He makes that offense complete. And he is deadly with his legs. He has touch on his passes and makes good decisions. They will be hard to stop.
October 2nd, 2011 at 7:27 PM ^
Glennon the kid they have now was going to transfer...O'Brien made him choose between football or baseball. He chose baseball in the spring, thus making the decision for O'Brien.
October 2nd, 2011 at 7:25 PM ^
OT: Love your pic of Tyler, the Creator hahah aaaanyways I agree, they straight up whipped NU
October 2nd, 2011 at 7:34 PM ^
I think you meant UNL.
October 3rd, 2011 at 12:53 AM ^
Free Earl Sweatshirt
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:25 PM ^
Absolutely, haven't seen a whole lot of him this year except for last night, but I'll say this, had he played at a big time school, bigger than NC State, he would have been in contention for heisman before, and imo, he will win it this year. Extremely glad that we won't have to force him until the conference title game.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:25 PM ^
Russel has an A+ line and run game that helps tremendously...Still think Denard is better.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:25 PM ^
Yes. He is strong, smart, and accurate. Considering the dearth of QB talent in the SEC this year, I could see Wisky taking the MNC this year.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:28 PM ^
Completely, Wilson just knows when to scramble and when to throw and he has all the physical tools to do it as well.
October 2nd, 2011 at 7:51 PM ^
That is what impressed me the most. He has a very good arm and is quick, but he really had a sense of what was happening around him. Last night was the best performance of a QB in the B1G in a big game I have seen in a while. He killed Nebraska through the air and on the ground.
I was a bit of a sceptic until last night. Not any more - he is the real deal.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:39 PM ^
Yes. He's very accurate, runs the offense with command, and can use his feet to hurt the D as well. Honestly, at this point he should be in the top 3 of Heisman candidates, and possibly the top 1. I was skeptical at first, but he has taken Wisconsin from very good to elite. Thank god he'll be gone next year.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:34 PM ^
Might say Jared Crick, but Russell has been outstanding.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:42 PM ^
freddiemercuryhayes beat me to it, but he is arguably the leading candidate for heisman assuming wisconsin is a legitimate title contender, which i think they may be.
2nd in qb rating (216.9), 3rd in pass pct (74.8), 12th in yards (1391), 12th in TD (13/1 INT), 1st in YD/A (12.5)
RGIII down in waco is the only other guy (QB) with stats like that, but (fair or not) the kid voted nation's best player usually ends up chosen from amongst the nation's best teams.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:06 PM ^
Wisconsin is going to need a lot of help to get into the NC with the Big Ten struggling to produce ranked teams for them to play, and not getting us until Indy. 1 Loss SEC team would trump them along with an undefeated Big12 and Stanford.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:23 PM ^
You are dead wrong, the only teams that would maybe get in over them is if there is an undefeated sec team, and maybe an undefeated oklahoma or stanford team. the fact you wrote this makes me question any of your knowledge about college football.
October 2nd, 2011 at 7:25 PM ^
Not sure why my post got deleted, but playing 2 ranked teams is not going to be enough to jump people who played quality ooc teams. Wisconsin's SoS is 117 AFTER beating Nebraska, and outside of the Big Ten title game, its likely Illinois is the only ranked team they have left to play.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:38 PM ^
Have to agree. (I'm assuming you are implying denard is better?) Wilson is a better thrower and decision maker. That said I wouldn't trade denard for him.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:27 PM ^
like Wilson.
October 2nd, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^
Wilson is 22, seems a little ridiculous to consider him super old.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:39 PM ^
Wilson looked excellent last night there is definitely a solid argument to saying he is the best player in the big ten. Very hard to defend a player like that.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:39 PM ^
If Wilson isn't Wisconsin's QB they still win 10 games, if Denard wasn't our QB I think it impacts our offense to the point we lose a few more games.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:44 PM ^
Its looking like 10 wins for Wiscy is losing a few more games this year though
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:13 PM ^
I think you are confusing "best player" with "most valuable." Yes Denard has more value to his team, but Wilson is ultimately a better player for all the reasons others have stated.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:18 PM ^
No. I am saying that Wilson has more talent around him.
October 2nd, 2011 at 7:30 PM ^
So how exactly does that impact who the better player is? Wisconson has more talent than Michigan? Very insightful.
October 2nd, 2011 at 7:35 PM ^
Play a game of football in your life and you will have the answer to your question. Yes, Wisconsin has more talent than Michigan, I don't think anyone is debating that.
October 2nd, 2011 at 8:51 PM ^
Not sure how the little jab there correlates, but this isn't the first time I've witnessed your idiocies. What exactly was your point then Dennis? Denard is the better player because he has less talent around him? That makes sense. You made a pointless statement and got called on it, just move on.
October 2nd, 2011 at 9:51 PM ^
My point is this. If Wilson is at NC State, we probably aren't having this conversation. Put him at Wisconsin and he flourishes because he is surrounded by talent. Sometimes a player is the product of a good situation. Ron Dayne was a beast behind Wisconsin's O-line but never amounted to much in the NFL. Wilson is obviously very good without a doubt but I feel that Denard is doing more with a bit less. That is why I think he is the best, also because I am a bit of a homer as well.
Better explanation?
October 3rd, 2011 at 5:57 PM ^
Makes perfect sense, and I agree. Still don't understand why you had to go the other route the first time.
October 3rd, 2011 at 6:23 PM ^
Kind of thought you were being a dick, so I was dickish, it's a vicious cycle. Sorry, hope there is no hard feelings.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:40 PM ^
I would probably agree.
October 2nd, 2011 at 5:44 PM ^
"Wisconsin is the conference's best team and Wilson its best player."
Fixed it.
Anyhow, you can make a case for Wilson as the best player. To date he's been phenomenal.
October 3rd, 2011 at 9:02 AM ^
They've played 1 game.Unless you count those 4 cupcakes outside the top 75.Overall the Big 10 is weak and they will only play 1 more ranked team(think Boise St.). I've seen this year after year with Wiscy.I'd love to see them play Alabama or LSU.t would be the same result as when they played Florida State in the bowl game a few years ago.They'd get there fat asses handed to them,.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:01 PM ^
The guy looks unreal right now. I agree 100%.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:07 PM ^
Wilson is a great player and deserves some accolades and to be in the discussion for the Heisman. But the article that matters is the one after the Heisman Trophy presentation.
Denard can then be on the Nissan commercials and drive up in a blue lamborghini with wings. (after the '12 season!)
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:21 PM ^
I don't know. If you switched the two, which team would benefit more? Obviously it's impossible to know, but I think Denard would put up bigger numbers with Ball in the backfield next to him and the ridiculously huge line Wisconsin has. OTOH our offense would be unstoppable with a QB completing 72% of his passes, so it's pretty hard to tell.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:28 PM ^
The season is still young. DR is on an steep upward sloping learning curve right now. Wilson is at his ceiling. If our man, who i remind you all is made of 100% pure dilithium, finishes the season with even more amazing passing, continued running magic, and cuts thru the BIG season victorious, well then, it's another discussion. Way too early to say. Don't doubt what the coaches are telling us about Denard. He can pass, manage the offense, read the defense and make correct reads checks at the line, and improvise.
Hang on boys and girls, I don't think that we have seen anything yet. Have faith. Shoelace may very well be the best there is.
Thing is, we don't care about no stinking Heisman. Just wins.
October 3rd, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^
It reminds me that DR's redshirt was burned on some meaningless snaps his freshman year. DR should only be a redshirt soph this year with 2 years to learn and grow.
I really hope that DG can get his medical.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:34 PM ^
The BIG is obviously pretty weak, so the numbers will still be there and it would be shocking at this point if Wisconsin lost a game in conference. He does seem to have a certain poise that takes him to the next level. But, he's at his potential, and Denard is still no where near, which is terrifyingly awesome.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:59 PM ^
As good as Denard is, Wilson is hands down the best player in the Big Ten so far this season. He's got such a ridiculously quick release and he's so goddamn accurate with his downfield passes. Not to mention that he has enough speed that you have to respect his ability to pick up yards with his feet.
Denard might be tougher to gameplan for simply because one mistake and he can gash you for 30+ through the air or on the ground, but he's just not as polished as Wilson is. At least not at this stage of his career. If he ever gets in the same ballpark as WIlson is as far as his arm goes, it's lights out for anyone we play.
October 2nd, 2011 at 11:16 PM ^
The key is at this stage of his career. I agree Wilson seems polished and downright awesome right now - makes great decisions on when to tuck it a run and throws a nice ball. However, based on Borges' comments about how QB's progress in his offense, I think we will see a much more polished Denard next year. More comfort in the offense leads to better decisions. The extra year of experience should help immensely.
That being said, Wilson would definitely be top 3 for Heisman for me right now and Wisconsin looks damn good. They have always had very serviceable QB's who were able to make the necessary throws off play action. Wilson could be the guy who gets them over the hump and makes them a legit top 5 team.
October 2nd, 2011 at 7:33 PM ^
In a sense, it's apples and oranges.
Denard's a more explosive running QB, and may be a better fit for the spread. Wilson could be a better traditional QB.
They're both great players. What's not to like?
October 2nd, 2011 at 7:56 PM ^
Wilson is the best.
That may not be good enough for SoS reasons listed above.
If injured Wisc takes a huge step down in QB play it looks like. If Denard is hurt (>booboo) DG is a pretty good (and granted inexperienced) replacement. A lot will happen between now and Indy. The best team and player now may not be the best on December 3rd.
I would like to see Martinez live up to his talent as well. He's a ways back behind Denard at this point. Persa's injury is a blow to the B1G. He's a difference maker. Even Cousins has a D and a half to back up his learning (if it ever happens.)
No one is playing near as well as Wilson.
October 2nd, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
Wilson is the more compete player at this point, but I think Denard can definitely exceed him. Once again, we're stuck projecting until Denard runs into a good defense.
Yes, I do begrudge admitting that Denard might not be the best... yet.