Wisconsin starting TE out for season.
Per Brett McMurphy on Twitter, Zander Neuville is our for the season. Based on Reddit CFB discussion, he was by far their best blocking TE and was used pretty frequently.
https://mobile.twitter.com/brett_mcmurphy/status/1047878634562879490?s=21
October 5th, 2018 at 12:53 AM ^
He is not a pass-catcher but Wisconsin fans tell me he is actually their most important run blocker on the whole team -- like more so than the actual linemen. They are devastated.
I don't follow Wisconsin super closely but that seems hard to believe. Do they run nothing but D gap off-tackle stuff?
October 5th, 2018 at 1:30 AM ^
I would assume he motions into the backfield often on running plays.
October 5th, 2018 at 4:15 AM ^
They run their fair share of zone (stretch and inside zone), but where the TEs really come into play is all the stuff they do from the H-back position. They pull across and lead a ton from the backside and down block a ton from the front side in the their Power/Counter game. So while I'm not sure he was their most important blocker, good blocking TEs are really significant in their offense.
October 5th, 2018 at 7:42 AM ^
Agreed ... Z is an important part of the run game - at TE or H-back. Their young guys just don't have his blocking skills. When he was out for the title game last year, it really diminished their run attack.
October 5th, 2018 at 1:06 AM ^
Lots of teams in the Big Ten have lost their best player, or in our case our best player seems to be playing hurt and likely will be for the remainder of the season. And it's only week 5.
October 5th, 2018 at 1:21 AM ^
Winovich is fine
October 5th, 2018 at 1:36 AM ^
I think you’ve got a typo in your post. It seems that you wrote “Winovich” instead of “Hart”.
October 5th, 2018 at 1:43 AM ^
My brain cycled through Mike Hart and Dee Hart before I realized who you were talking about.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:41 AM ^
Exactly what I did! 'Mike Hart?? What the...'
October 5th, 2018 at 12:08 PM ^
Higdon's been reminding me of some Mike Hart
October 5th, 2018 at 12:59 PM ^
He reminds me of myself, always going in the wrong hole
October 5th, 2018 at 11:00 AM ^
We have 3 former top-40 recruits on the DL that aren't playing or are clearly hobbled. Imagine what this DL would like with a healthy Gary, Solomon, Vilain for spot duty. Clearly we have some great depth in there, and it developing is nice. Just wish we had our full contingent, especially for this stretch coming up. Hoping for a Solomon return but haven't heard anything.
Not to mention Black and Evans, maybe our 2 most dynamic offensive weapons. All teams are banged up, and I'm feeling good about our depth. But really hoping some of these guys can make a return during this stretch.
October 5th, 2018 at 1:10 AM ^
While it is unfortunate for the young man, I am hoping that Don Brown can capitalize on this.
While the refs may screw us over on penalties, not much they can do with key players not playing.
October 5th, 2018 at 1:16 AM ^
October 5th, 2018 at 6:02 AM ^
Who is this Bret Mcmurphy? The new hot blonde sideline reporter, never heard of her?
October 5th, 2018 at 1:23 PM ^
Cliff Claven's son
October 5th, 2018 at 5:42 PM ^
OMG, comment of the day!
October 5th, 2018 at 4:58 AM ^
Play action to the TE is their most explosive offensive play.
October 5th, 2018 at 6:25 AM ^
He had one catch for 3 yards all year. I doubt they'll miss him, since they have an actual offensive line.
October 5th, 2018 at 6:55 AM ^
Actually, they probably will miss him - decent blocking TEs are central to some of Wisconsin's runs out of the backfield and have been over the years. It will definitely change what they do in at least some scenarios and on some downs.
October 5th, 2018 at 7:58 AM ^
...but it is not unusual in these situations for players, both the replacement and the other starters, to step up their game and actually improve. Nothing is a given here.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:36 AM ^
-1 for not knowing the incredible value of a good blocking TE, especially in Wisconsin’s scheme.
October 5th, 2018 at 11:02 AM ^
Honestly they probably bring in a 6th OL instead of a TE and just mash people.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:41 AM ^
Soon as in October 14th.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:43 AM ^
I don't harbor any ill will toward UW, and they seem to have been hit with a bunch of issues to their better players this year. I feel bad for them, just a little. But I don't feel sorry - can't bring myself to that level...
I do feel awful for the kid, though. All they want to do is play, and injuries just aren't fair.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:53 AM ^
Not saying this isn't a big loss, but I feel like Wisconsin has an actual tree where they can go pick a fresh, crisp blocking tight end. This tree is adjacent to the All Big 10 Offensive Linemen Grove,
October 5th, 2018 at 9:52 AM ^
Which is adjacent to the sausage and cheese factory. 330 pound linemen don’t grow on trees in Wisconsin. They take 230 pound tight ends and inject sausage and cheese intravenously to make their linemen. And maybe HGH.
October 5th, 2018 at 11:54 AM ^
I think their TE's and Linebackers come from the same tree.
October 5th, 2018 at 9:05 AM ^
Good thing their fight song is, "On, Wisconsin!"
October 5th, 2018 at 9:43 AM ^
There are 4 more just like him. Next man up
October 5th, 2018 at 1:33 PM ^
I hope makes a 100% pain-free recovery . . . the day after we play them.