Parsing the Poll, Take 1

The first USA Today/ Coaches Poll was just released, and Bucky registered at #7, probably right about where expectations lie for a team with question marks at QB and LT and staring at a tough schedule. Michigan came in at #5 and received two first place votes. OSU is ranked #10 and PSU #18. No other BT teams cracked the top 25, but I can't think of another team worthy of the distinction.

High Hopes Reign

Boosterism was abuzz in a Windy City hotel ballroom this week, but the Chicago Tribune sorted through the hot air and constructed a reality meter for all 11 teams, tempering expectations in most cases. They remain bullish on Bucky and the favored Wolverines, however, pointing to strong lines on both sides of the ball (profile of D-line), an experienced receiving corps, and the rookie successes of Coach B and PJ Hill. Potential weaknesses include an unresolved QB situation, both safeties, and a difficult conference schedule. In mirroring the top three picks to emerge from the meetings, only Michigan registered higher on the reality scale (11 to Bucky's 9).

Looking at the league as a whole, Purdue returns 20 starters, although many of them on defense are nothing to write home about. Iowa doesn't play Michigan or OSU. Either could surprise, but my sleeper rests in Happy Valley. Joe Pa tried to diminish our expectations, but the Nittany Lions may stand as the Badgers' toughest test given the fact the Michigan comes to Camp Randall.

In other notes, Teddy Greenstein wrote an extensive piece on various BT topics, including expansion, the coming TV network, an end-of-the-season playoff, and the potential to extend the season beyond Thanksgiving through the addition of a bye week.

Henry Mason visited the team in his wheelchair and may assume some coaching role as the season evolves. The biggest impact so far is the assumption of additional recruiting responsibilities by Coach B and the entire position staff.

The battle to replace Joe Thomas is a three-horse race with 5th-year Senior Danny Kaye added to the mix (Jake Bscherer and Gabe Carimi are the original contenders).

Crystal Ball in Chicago

Bucky landed the #2 spot in the pre-season BT poll conducted at the annual gathering of coaches and media in Chicago behind Michigan and ahead of OSU. The conference only releases the top three picks. It's only the second time in the twelve years the poll has been conducted that a team other than Michigan and OSU cracked the Big Two. Bucky leads the league in wins the last three years with 31, ahead of OSU (30) and Michigan (27).

Bucky Rising?

ESPN took a shot at ranking the 119 NCAA D1 football programs over the last decade. Bucky came in at an admirable 13, tied with Nebraska, and trailing only OSU (2) and Michigan (6) in the BT. Penn St. (21) and Iowa (25 also cracked the Top 25. Barry brought Bucky out of obscurity. Now it's time to see if Coach B can bring the Badgers to the promised land of the college football elite.