1) Is Wilson legit, or will he be an overrated transfer like Allan Everidge?

The two aren't comparable.  One is a three year starter, two time all ACC QB with 93 total touchdowns in three years  (Scott Tolzien had 35 total touchdowns as a Badger).  Let that sink in a second.  The other was a guy that PLAYED as a freshman at Kansas State and didn't embarrass himself.  He didn't complete even half his passes and he didn't throw more touchdowns than interceptions.  Evridge was overhyped from day 1 because he was supposedly a dual threat QB. 

Wilson?  He's a real dual threat.  He's the real deal, and his transfer basically saved this year's season before it started.  They were always going to be good, now the possibilities for great things are there.  Wilson was also voted offensive captain after two? months with the team.   


2) Is Borland healthy, and if so, can he stay healthy?

Borland is healthy, your guess is as good as mine whether or not he can STAY healthy.  What's been a frustrating them over the last two plus years is that Borland and Mike Taylor can't ever seem to get on the field at the same time.  And that's continued this fall with Taylor being out at camp.  I don't think it's serious, but with both these guys in the lineup, the defense is going to be good.

3) How does their WR depth look after losing so many seniors?

Since you brought up TEs a couple questions down, I won't mention Kendricks, but David Gilreath and Isaac Anderson weren't anything too irreplaceable I don't think.  The key obviously is Nick Toon staying healthy.  To me, Toon has been as disappointing and overrated as they come.  But that doesn't mean I don't realize he's the best WR on the team by far and has the potential to be a scary weapon.  Abbrederis is the other starter, and he's just as good as the two aforementioned guys that are gone.  I believe Kenzel Doe and Jeff Duckworth are the second stringers as of now, and a couple other freshmen have been mentioned as candidates for PT...Fred Willis and Jordan Frederick, who was recruited as a LB I believe.  Toon is the key.  Also keep an eye out for Manaseh Garner, who I'm not sure where he will line up, but he's on offense now after playing all over last year.

4) Can David Gilbert somewhat replace Watt?

I don't know if anyone is going to REPLACE Watt, but then again, weren't people saying that about Shaughnessy and Schofield as well?  Gilbert is up to 255 pounds, and I'm going to predict that by the end of his Badgers career he's going to be a star and a highish NFL draft pick.  His athleticism has been on display since he got here on special teams.  And I believe he's 19 years old right now as a junior.  Also I think Nzegwu is going to be good on the other side, and Brendan Kelly supposedly can play too, he just hasn't been on the field due to injuries.  Inside, they basically have four starters for their two spots, averaging 296 pounds...three of them sophomores.  The defensive line is good.

5) Can Pederson (or another TE) somewhat replace Kendricks?  Will they have a receiving threat other than Toon, or will teams be able to consistently put 8 in the box?

I read something a while ago about Pedersen having the potential to be the best TE the Badgers have had. I'm not sure I buy that, but he did start in the Rose Bowl as a freshman, and he was the guy wide open on the "Tank Carder tip."  They also have Jake Byrne as the blocker, and Sherard Cadogan who's listed at fullback.  Also, as I said earlier, keep an eye out for Manaseh Garner as that other receiving threat you mention.  When it's all said and done I see Garner as the guy we'll be talking about a lot.  He's going to be out the first game with a hernia? I believe.

6) Will some of the athletes they have recruited step up and become good defensive backs?

Fenelus and Henry are going to be all conference candidates.  Devin Smith and Marcus Cromartie are the co-starters on the other side of Fenelus.  Shelton Johnson beat out Dezmen Southward at the other safety spot.  All in all, this is a pretty good group compared to recent years.  They don't have the Fletcher, Starks, or Echols on the team, but overall I'm at ease with the group.  I think Southward will end up playing on Sundays as well, with his athleticism.  He just needs to get more and more experience after only playing one year of high school football.  He'll be in the lineup with Johnson next year after Henry leaves, and from the sounds of things didn't LOSE that job, Johnson just won it.  

Toon's problem isn't getting the ball enough, it's dropping it when it comes.  The Michigan State loss sticks out in my mind with drops and an untimely block in the back penalty on a long first down run.  Oh and then whining after the game about getting the ball.  The games he missed is not what I'm talking about, it's when he's on the field.  I don't dislike Toon whatsoever, he's just been a disappointment.  Then I started hearing about how he might come out early, and I was floored.  He needs to do more this year on the field as far as production goes, and I'm sure he will.  

When you drop half of the passes thrown to you, you should really never complain about getting the ball more.  That's not maturity, that's just dumb.  My point is that in the two games that they lost, Toon made huge mistakes, Michigan State especially, his mistakes directly affected the outcome...then he complained about not getting the ball.  

So is saying he dropped half the passes thrown to him.

In the Michigan State game?  You're right it is a stretch, I was being kind to him.  He dropped a much higher percentage than 50%.  He had one catch.