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Oh sure, the Badgers have been fine over the last four years getting to three average bowl games, but now they have to once again earn their stripes after going 20-19 since 2001 with teams talented enough to be in the mix to win the Big Ten title. If you can beat Ohio State, you shouldn't be losing to UNLV and Northwestern.
So where does the blame fall? The coaching staff, and not because Barry Alvarez and his staff haven't gotten the recruits or been good teachers; it's because they haven't kept the bully mentality and belief system that they're going to win every game. That happened when they changed up the formula losing the mojo when the offense switched over from being a smashmouth team to a more balanced attack. Wisconsin won Rose Bowls by telling you the fastball was coming right down the middle, and then throwing it using its running game to power over everyone in its path. Now there's more talent in the passing attack, but it comes at the expense of the attitude it once had. Now, Wisconsin thinks it's going to win every game; elite teams know they're going to win every game.
Would the Badgers have lost the five close games they lost at the end of last year with its old pure steamrolling attack? Probably not. That attack gave the team an attitude. That attack gave the team three Rose Bowls. That attack could get Wisconsin back to the Rose Bowl this year with Anthony Davis running behind a line with all five starters back.
The Schedule: There's no excuse for not being 5-0 before facing Ohio State and Purdue. Two road losses from 2003, Northwestern and Minnesota, should be home wins. No Michigan offsets missing Indiana. There can't be any mistakes at home with four nasty Big Ten road games facing Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan State and Iowa away from Camp Randall.
Best Offensive Player: Senior RB Anthony Davis. The only thing that can slow him down is his ankle. if healthy all season, Davis should be in the thick of the Heisman hunt running behind a line with all five starters returning. 2,000 yards is a reachable possibility if he goes nutso over the first five games of the year.
Best Defensive Player: Senior DB Jim Leonhard. All he does is make plays. He might look like an accountant, but the former walk-on is an unbelievable athlete and a premier pass defender and punt returner.
Key player to a successful season: Quarterback John Stocco. The Badgers have its more experienced and talented defense they've had since the Rose Bowl years, they have a Heisman caliber running back, a veteran line, and several strong receivers. Now Stocco, who showed flashes of brilliance this spring, has to stay healthy with little talent behind him.
The season will be a success if ... wins the Big Ten title. This is a down year for the league and the Badgers have too much experience to expect any less.
Key game: Oct. 16 at Purdue. UW has swooned over the second half of the last three seasons, and the fear will be that another run will start after the Ohio State game on October 9th. A road win over the Boilermakers will be necessary to keep Big Ten title hopes alive and to prove that this season is different.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Sacks: Opponents 37 - Wisconsin 34
- Penalties: Opponents 83 for 652 yards - Wisconsin 66 for 493 yards
- Third down conversion percentage: Wisconsin 43% - Opponents 35%
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