What About Wisconsin?

ESPN's Mark Schlabach did an in depth analysis of D1 programs over the last ten years, comparing pre-season rankings with final finishes, ultimately yielding a net score to reflect the degree to which a team was over/underrated. FSU emerged as the most overrated team, and to my surprise, the Domers were completely absent from the top ten. OSU (T-5) and Michigan (8) were members of the overrated ranks. Bucky ranked 5th amongst the underappreciated programs, also accompanies by Iowa (T-8). Opening opponent Washington St. was the most underrated program, and last year's Capital One Bowl foe Arkansas ranked just ahead of the Badgers.

Bucky's standing in this study should come as no surprise. Coach B's stellar rookie season falls in line with a lineage of overachieving and underappreciated Alvarez teams (think 1998 RB champs). Wisconsin is the latest challenger to the BT's Big Two, threatening their hold on the conference hardware and proving that superior coaching and a devoted fan base can help offset the immense resources and blue chip talent herded by the Buckeyes and Wolverines every season.

It's hard to sing the blues this season with a stellar #7 ranking in both polls and a widely predicted BCS bowl finish, but we do have a bone to pick with the Wolverines come November. Until then, congrats to the winningest program in the BT over the last three years...