Suggest Team Slogan "We'll Be More Loaded In the Stands, Thank You Very Much!"

What we learned in 2007 This goes for the Big Ten as a whole, but it's pretty damn hard to win road games. Like most Wisconsin teams, they go about their work quietly and had one of the best teams in the Big Ten, but got blitzed by Illinois and Penn State on the road, in addition to losing in Columbus. Although I suspected this after his first season, but it's now confirmed, Bret Beilema is one of the best coaches in the Big Ten, if not the country.

Expectations in '08 If I were to look at this team on paper without knowing which school and who they were coached by, I might predict a middle of the Big Ten finish. A lack of an experience quarterback won't help the Badgers win those tough road games. But then, knowing it's Wisconsin and that Beilema is coaching, you have to expect the Badgers to contend with Ohio State for the title, or at the very be among that large group aiming for 2nd.

One thing you know you're going to get in Madison, besides a lot of drunk co-eds, is a behemout offensive line. The average size this year is 320... but that's probably before breakfast. The tackles are 6'7 and 6'8 respectively, and will be grazing up and down fields across the midwest. Despite the lack of experience for Allan Evridge at QB, nothing makes a job under center easier than a good running game. P.J. Hill will have the necessary holes, and I expect offensive coordinator Paul Chryst to go to the well early and often. Hill should top the 1,212 yards on the ground in '07.

Defense, however, could be a question...

What could hold them back Defensive secondary, quarterback and special teams. Evridge is new, but it seems that anyone can play that position in Wisconsin and lead a successful season. However, the best Badgers teams also had sound defenses. The front four will be the strength, the linebacking crew is average, but the secondary could be exploited, especially with more Big Ten teams moving to a more pass oriented attack. As it stands now, both starting cornerbacks are coming back from knee injuries. The weakness is relative, but there are enough competent QB's in the league to take advantage.

Special teams is less than special. One thing every coach would like heading into camp is not having to worry about finding a kicker and punter. Beilema needs to find both. Lost are one of the best kickers and punters in Wisconsin history. So regardless of who fills their roles, it won't be as good and a few tight games could be lost by the always overlooked special teams.

Big Men on Campus Tight end Travis Beckum caught 75 passes last season, and I'd still argue that's not enough. He'll be the first TE selected in next year's NFL draft and without sure threats at wide receiver he'll have to do most of the receiving damage. You can expect an onslaught of play-action counter rollouts hitting Beckum in the flat in Madison this fall.

Cheerleader Grade:



I know there's much better talent in Madison than this, but they won't be on the sidelines. They'll be in the parking lot getting loaded and jumping around in the stands. It's a sight to behold. D+

Schedule and Predictions

Aug. 30	Akron W
Sept. 6	Marshall W
Sept. 13	at Fresno State L
Sept. 27	at Michigan W
Oct. 4	Ohio State L
Oct. 11	Penn State W
Oct. 18	at Iowa W
Oct. 25	Illinois W
Nov. 1	at Michigan State L
Nov. 8	at Indiana W
Nov. 15	Minnesota W
Nov. 22	Cal Poly W (barely)

9-3 (6-2 Big Ten)
When I spoke of a team taking advantage of the defensive secondary, I was speaking of Fresno State catching the Badgers off guard early in the year. It's very difficult to go into the Valley and beat Pat Hill's boys and I think it's too early in the year for Allan Evridge to orchestrate this victory. At Michigan won't be easy, that's a toss up as far as I'm concerned and Michigan State does very well against Wisconsin at home, nearly winng last year in Madison. Another solid year for Wisconsin.

Your thoughts and predictions?