Projecting The Preseason Top 25: Did The Hawkeyes Make The Cut?
By Dan Vasta
10) Wisconsin Badgers
Key Player: TE Troy Fumagalli
A great choice to win the Mackey this season, Fumagalli will be expected to take over games in crunch time. The schedule is fairly easy per se, but the expectations are high this season. Against the likes of BYU, Iowa, Nebraska and Michigan, the all-world tight end will have to feast in order for the Badgers to prevail. The passing attack has never been stellar, but it hasn’t needed to be more times than not.
Key Stat: 2007 was the last time Wisconsin started out the season in AP Top 10. One would think there would be a little more love for those Badgers as they have won 10 or more games four times since 2010.
Key Game: 11/18 Michigan
A loss to Michigan likely would cost them a trip to the CFP, but a win would at least keep them in the running. If they can go 11-1 and end up winning the B1G title, the chances would be in their favor. The committee is paying extra attention late in the season, so it is in the Badgers best interest to show up and win this one to prove they are better than what their soft schedule shows on paper.