It Isn't My Badger Dream

Happier Days for Badger fans.
10/31/2015  dwm photo

If you are going to make predictions there is no point of hedging your bets (unless of course, you are actually betting).

Before the University of Wisconsin opened its 2018 football season, I shared my "Fearless Forecast" for the Badgers.

Ten games later they stand with six wins and four losses - which is more than a football field away from the undefeated regular season I expected.

If you consider 6 and 4 against the Wisconsin teams B.B. (Before Barry); this record would be cause for celebration with a bowl berth on the horizon.

However, Barry Alvarez changed the culture and expectations for Badger athletes and fans alike.  Coming off three straight 10 win seasons under alumnus Paul Chryst great things were expected this year.  Sports Illustrated put the Badger offensive line on the regional cover of their college football issue.  They and many others forecast a trip to the College Football Play-off.  They were ranked 4th in the nation before any game was played.

It just didn't work out.

The defense - which had three great seasons - lost a number of players and just are not as good as the teams of 2015, 16, and 17.

Quarterback Alex Hornibrook hasn't matched last year's performance - especially his lights-out work in the Orange Bowl.  Then he was hurt.

Many Badger fans were unhappy with the starting QB.  His back-up, Jack Coan may be a good player some day - but it's been tough sledding for him so far this year.

There are three games left - at Purdue, home against Minnesota, and a Bowl game around the end of December.  Wisconsin hasn't lost to Purdue or Minnesota since 2003 - to make this season's record look the performance of recent Badger teams - they need to beat their B1G conference foes.

On Wisconsin!