Every team in college football is undefeated, with Week 0 games set to kick off this upcoming weekend. But not every team has a full clean bill of health.
Wisconsin is dealing with some injuries of its own with training camp winding down before the Week 1 contest against Buffalo. First, the tight end room lost two veteran contributors.
Now, there is another update to monitor. Luke Fickell told reporters on Saturday that projected starting center Jake Renfro will miss time with a foot sprain. The Wisconsin head coach noted the return date is a mystery, with Week 1 definitely in question.
Renfro transferred to Wisconsin from Cincinnati this offseason after being named the top center in the ACC in 2021. He had previously worked to return from a stress fracture suffered during the spring period.
#Badgers center Jake Renfro is out with a foot sprain. Luke Fickell said he’s not exactly sure when he will be able to return. Might be a stretch for Week 1.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) August 19, 2023
The good news: Wisconsin is both flexible and deep at the center position. Veteran Tanor Bortolini can slide to that spot, while transfer Joe Huber and others battle for the vacant left guard position. Also the team does not play a meaningful conference game until Week 4 against Purdue.
The bad news: Injuries have a way of derailing momentum. If we look back upon Luke Fickell’s first year as head coach and things don’t go according to plan, injury could easily be the biggest reason why.