Campus Confidential

By Adam Abramson

You wouldn't figure it, but the Badgers have won 31 games the last three seasons. It's easy to forget what's going on in Madison - something I'm sure they're okay with. However, flying under the radar has to get old, I'm sure Badgerland is ready for a trip back to the BCS. The last time Wisconsin played in a BCS game was the first day of the millennium (17-9 Rose Bowl win over Stanford).

Their recent body of work should earn them a preseason ranking higher than 10, and honestly, they have a strong argument to be ranked ahead of Ohio State. However, losing your quarterback and mammoth offensive tackle remove some of the faith everyone placed in them last season.

Tyler Donovan replaces John Stocco as the field general and should do a fine job. Last year, Donovan had to step in for two starts at the end of the year. Thrown directly into the fire, he had to lead the Badgers into Iowa and escaped with a 24-21 win behind two touchdown passes. He isn't the biggest guy in the world at 6'1, 185, but he gets the job done and is a constant threat to tuck and run for big yardage.

One thing going for Donovan is that he gets his top three targets back. Travis Beckum, Paul Hubbard and Luke Swan combined for almost 70% of all receptions last year. Beckum, who had an astounding 61 catches last year, is arguably the best tight end in the country (though, he's a little light to line up at the end of the line at just 225 pounds). Considering was one of the best prep linebackers in the country, you know this kid is tough as nails. A unit that was solid last year will be much improved this time around - all three started for the first time last year.

But Wisconsin's bang for the buck isn't in the air, it's with P.J. Hill. And when I say bang, I mean it: Hill checks in at 5'11, 228 pounds. Dubbed the Wisconsin Winnebago during his freshman campaign, all the kid did was rumble for 1,569 yards and 15 touchdowns. Expect much of the same this year - that 24 carries per game average should be about the same this year.

Along the line, we've already mentioned that Joe Thomas is now a millionaire 20 times over or something like that, but Wisconsin does return the remaining four starters from last season. Senior center Marcus Coleman is the key cog of the OL machine.

On defense, the top two tacklers are gone, but linebacker Jonathan Casillas is back and will be making plays all year long. Wisconsin had a Top 5 defense last year and has the talent to be Top 10 this year. If you're wondering what the foundation for all of those wins is, look no further than the defense. Corners Jack Ikegwuonu and Allen Langford anchor a pass defense that was No. 2 last year and could be Top 10 this year, but must hope young safties Aubrey Pleasant and Shane Carter step up (and stay healthy for once).

Wisconsin just needs to take care of business. Protect Donovan and shut down opponents with that defense and the Badgers could be snagging one of those BCS At-Large bids.

Also, there were no good Wisconsin videos from last year so I posted a pretty neat Wisconsin tradition. Any other schools do this? Kudos to the folks in Madison.

Player I would shred you with on NCAA Football 2008: The Winnebago

80s theme song: "Living on a Prayer" - Bon Jovi (1986) ... The Badgers need to run the gammit, then hope a bunch of teams lose. I guess this could apply for a handful of teams, but it just seems to work for Wisconsin. Also, while I have your attention, I received a comment saying that Penn State's song should have been Living on a Prayer because that's what you'll hear when you go out in State College on any given Friday, Saturday or even Tuesday night. Well, I hate to break it to you, but that's not really a State College tradition. I rocked out to that song in Blacksburg and I rocked out to that song in a random Fire Island bar last weekend. I think it's safe to say that's just a general college/party thing.

Save this date: Nov. 10 vs. Michigan … could be the Big 10 championship game.