B1G Football Preview: Wisconsin Badgers

Last Yearâ€™s Record: 9-4

Key Assistant: DC Dave Aranda

Trending: Upward, but not much farther they can go. Let me explain. Wisconsin was built by Barry Alvarez and Bret Bielema did well (with Alvarez there to advise) maintaining and in many ways improving the program. When Bielema bolted for the SEC in came Gary Andersen from Utah State. Unlike many Badger fans I liked Bielema, but Andersen is an upgrade at coach.

Andersen is a terrific coach and with Wisconsin already at a high level there isnâ€™t much more that they can improve. So I say trending upward, but maybe I should say maintaining. This is a solid program.

Prediction: 9-3 (6-2) 3rd place B1G West

LSU (Houston): Loss

Western Illinois: Win

Bowling Green: Win

USF: Win

At Northwestern: Loss

Illinois: Win

Maryland: Win

At Rutgers: Win

At Purdue: Win

Nebraska: Win

At Iowa: Loss

Minnesota: Win

Final thoughts: Starting on the road at what will essentially be a home game for LSU is tough. If the Badgers pull it out could open some big time doors. I donâ€™t think they can handle the LSU team speed at every position and with it being a home game for the Tigers I give them a slight edge. I have UW losing two games in B1G action and in both of those games the deciding factor was the location. Iowa and Northwestern will both be improved teams and on the road tough to beat. I favored them over the Huskers because that game is in Camp Randall. Again a tough game between two very good teams, but the Badgers are at home and have the better coach. I would not be shocked for them to represent the B1G West and they certainly could be a team with the shot at the four team playoff with some breaks. They are very good team and they wonâ€™t beat themselves.