College Football

2013 Wisconsin spring game: How to watch or attend

A new coach, a quarterback derby, and a brand new defense are on display in Madison this weekend. Here’s how to see it.

Apr 18, 2013, 4:00 PM UTC

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

The new-look Wisconsin Badgers will make their first formal public appearance Saturday, April 20, taking the field at Camp Randall at 5 p.m. ET. Tickets are $5, with all proceeds going to the Wisconsin School of Pharmacy. A free kids fair will be held at the nearby McClain Center starting at 2 p.m., including games, autographs, and photos with Bucky Badger. For those who cannot make the trip to Madison on Saturday, the game will be available live on BTN.

Wisconsin plans to play a scrimmage between offense and defense. The game will consist of two 15-minute quarters and two 10-minute running-clock quarters. The coaching staff has created a modified scoring system:

OFFENSE
Touchdown = 6 pts.
Conversion = 1 or 2 pts. (ALL LIVE)
Field goal = 3 pts.
Run of 15+ yards = 2 pts.
Pass of 20+ yards = 2 pts.
First Down = 1 pt.
DEFENSE
Touchdown = 6 pts.
Safety = 2 pts.
Conversion = 1 or 2 pts. (ALL LIVE)
Turnover = 5 pts.
3-and-out = 3 pts.
Blocked FG = 3 pts.
Stopped drive, Sack, TFL = 2 pts.

For the first time in eight years, the Badgers face spring without Bret Bielema. New coach Gary Andersen promised to maintain Wisconsin’s classic offensive style -- power running on offense -- while adding his own spin. Andersen used a run-heavy spread attack at Utah State, and promised to include some “option concepts” in the Badger attack going forward.

On the field, the hottest topic remains the three-way race for the starting quarterback position. Sixth-year senior Curt Phillips and sophomore Joel Stave have competed throughout the spring. Coaches and fans expect incoming JUCO transfer Tanner McEvoy to join the fray upon his arrival in the fall.

Defensively, Wisconsin shifts to a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Early spring reports indicated that players had struggled to pick up the new defense, but Andersen and Aranda have pushed forward. The staff has promised a more aggressive defense than the 4-3 relied upon by Bielema and his predecessor, Barry Alvarez.