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Illinois Football: Breakdown of the 2020 Wisconsin Badgers offense

By Rees Woodcock

Oct 19, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Danny Davis III (6) runs the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini during a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2019; Champaign, IL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Danny Davis III (6) runs the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini during a game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 30, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Nakia Watson (14) runs the ball during the second half against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2019; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Nakia Watson (14) runs the ball during the second half against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Back

Wisconsin carried on their great tradition of having a killer running back in 2019 when Jonathan Taylor touted the rock for 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns. The dynamic running back also added 252 yards and 5 touchdowns in the receiving game.

Thankfully, Illinois doesn’t have to face Taylor this season as he is now tearing it up with the Indianapolis Colts.

Who is going to be the replacement for Taylor? Well, I believe there could be a two-headed monster running behind Wisconsin’s great offensive line.

I believe Nakia Watson will get the bulk of the carries. The former four-star tailback rushed for 331 yards and 2 touchdowns last season to be only second to Taylor in the yards and touchdown categories.

Garrett Groshek is going to get a lot of work at running back as well. The senior running back, and former walk-on, will have his chance to shine for the Badgers. He totaled 194 yards and 2 touchdowns for Wisconsin in 2019.

Wisconsin always has a good running back, but I am not sure who will end up emerging as the lead dog in the backfield this year. The two options in Watson and Groshek averaged 4.5 and 4.6 yards per carry in 2019, respectively. Those aren’t impressive numbers by any means.

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