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The Wisconsin Badgers are, at least publicly, in the midst of a quarterback competition between Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke and redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke.
It being called a true ‘competition’ feels a bit performative given Van Dyke’s experience and track record, and the Badgers’ eagerness to land him in the transfer portal last winter.
Van Dyke will be the team’s starter in Week 1 barring something unforeseen. That inherently makes it not much of a true competition.
Related: Ranking all 18 Big Ten football programs by most pressure to win in 2024
The Iowa Hawkeyes, on the other hand, may actually be in the midst of a quarterback battle between sixth-year senior Cade McNamara and Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan.
That is due to reports from the team’s open practice on Saturday. Those reports saw McNamara struggle mightily — 7/21 passing for 20 yards, one interception, one sack and one fumbled snap.
Sullivan wasn’t much better, finishing 10/21 for 76 yards. But McNamara’s struggles opened the door for Sullivan to possibly contend for the job.
This is a surprise given the context surrounding each quarterback’s situation.
McNamara is back for a sixth collegiate season after missing most of 2023 with a torn ACL. He once led Michigan to the College Football Playoff in 2021, but has not had a full healthy season since that campaign.
Sullivan, meanwhile, transferred to Iowa this offseason after starting a majority of the 2023 season for Northwestern. He completed 63.6% of his passes for 714 yards, 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions a season ago and would have likely won the Wildcats’ full-time job in 2024.
All expectations were McNamara would start in 2024 and Sullivan would be developed to start the following seasons. That plan may still happen. But McNamara’s struggles could open the door, at…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-primary-rival-midst-unexpected-123821386.html
Author : Badgers Wire
Publish date : 2024-08-11 12:38:21
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