Is ESPN disrespecting Wisconsin this upcoming 2022 season? Seems like it to me. You can say in the past two decades, the Badgers have been one of the most consistent football programs. After the release of ESPN’s FPI, Wisconsin is a top-5 team in the BIG Ten. But not to win the West Division?
So, Who Is Projected To Win The BIG10 West?
Hold on to your butts Badgers fans, ESPN’s FPI predicted the Nebraska Cornhuskers to represent in the West. Now, I do not have a clue why the Cornhuskers out of all teams in the West to win the division. Nebraska have not even been bowl eligible under Scott Frost, but are the favorites? Seems like a bit of a reach if you are asking me.
You could have a great arguing point if it might have been Iowa projected to win the BIG Ten West. Otherwise, this should be the Badgers division this year. Head coach, Paul Chryst, has shown Badger fans that his team is a piece or two away.
Fans would agree that has always been the Badgers. Since 2000, the Badgers QB situation has seem stable with guys staying at least three years as starter. Even with all the stability, not one of those QB’s can match what Russell Wilson did in his one-year with Wisconsin.
Badgers Schedule Preview
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Wisconsin should run out of the gates with a 3-0 record before the Ohio State game. The road schedule for the Badgers is the reason ESPN thinks Nebraska will win the West.
All Badger fans understand that their season relies on QB Graham Mertz. He has shown the flashes at times to being a dependable QB. The other times, you might just want to close your eyes. Even with the inconsistent play by Mertz, Wisconsin still found ways to win quality games.
What should help Mertz this season is the new offensive coordinator, Bobby Engram. He spent the last eight seasons with the Baltimore Ravens where he had Lamar Jackson as his QB for some time. Engram will need to keep the identity for Badgers as a run-first team, but spread the offense out for Mertz passing lanes.
The three toughest game for the Badgers is all road games against Ohio St., Michigan St., and Iowa. Wisconsin should run the table with the other nine games leaving these three for a coin flip. ESPN disrespecting Wisconsin through an analytical test is laughable, eye test is what matters here.
At the end, I predict the Badgers to represent the West division for the BIG Ten this season, not Nebraska.
Go Badgers!
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