The Badgers are going to start the season ranked quite high. They were good last year and lost only a hand full of starters. Of course, they include John Stocco, Joe Thomas and Joe Stellmacher. Regardless, they should have a great team defense and three legitimate running options (don't write off PT for John Clay, above). What people are forgetting, however, is that the Badgers have a pretty consistent record relating to pre-season expectations.
[Editor's note: Corrected, thanks...]
Preseason Ranking -> Final Ranking (AP)
2006: unranked -> 7th.
2005: unranked -> 15th.
2004: 21st -> 17th.
2003: 21st -> unranked
2002: 25th -> unranked
2001: 22nd -> unranked
2000: 4th -> 23rd
1999: 10th -> 4th
1998: 20th -> 6th
1997: 24th -> unranked
1996: unranked -> unranked
1995: 20th -> unranked
1994: 10th -> unranked
1993: unranked -> 6th
Almost every season they begin unranked, they finish above expectations. Almost every season they begin with high expectations, they fail to meet them.
I have been a able to dig up a few early 2007 preseason rankings and they all put the Badgers around 5-15. Historically, that does not bode well for UW.
