Wisconsin football sees incredibly low returning snap percentages

Of the 138 qualified teams in college football, the Wisconsin Badgers are quite far down the list in terms of returning players.

Knowing this team struggled mightily a year ago, that may be a blessing in disguise. While teams always want continuity and for their star players to return, there wasn't much to write home about for a team that finished 4-8 (2-7).

CBS Sports' Cody Nagel compiled a list of the returning snap percentages for 138 teams. Overall, Wisconsin ranks No. 96.

The three main categories are total snaps, offensive snaps, and defensive snaps. Notre Dame, the Badgers' week one opponent, is first on the list with 66% total snaps, 57% offensive snaps, and 73% defensive snaps.

For reference, Luke Fickell's team has a 33% returning total snap rate. Of that percentage, 37% is on the offensive side of the ball, with just 30% on defense. Looking at those percentages in particular, Wisconsin ranks No. 75 for its offensive snap return rate and No. 109 on defense.

Independent UConn is dead-last on defense, returning just 4% of its players. Offensively, Iowa State is No. 138 with a 4% retention rate.

Nagel also breaks things down even further, which really puts each team's outlook into perspective. Wisconsin's linebackers are in good shape at No. 20 (65%), though the Badgers are returning just 23% of their defensive backs (No. 112) and an astonishing 9% of their defensive linemen, which is good for No. 134. Overall, the Badgers' defense is No. 109.

On offense, Fickell's squad is No. 75 overall. The five groups Nagel did a deep dive into were the quarterbacks (60% - No. 50), running backs (55% - No. 41), wide receivers (35% - No. 73), tight ends (20% - No. 86), and defensive linemen (34% - No. 83).

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