2008 Wisconsin Badgers College Football Predictions Courtesy of Alex Smart, An Expert College Football Handicapper featured on Touthouse.com. If you are betting college football this year, be sure to buy Alex Smart’s college football picks each week and guarantee a winning season!!

Wisconsin Badgers (9-4, 5-3 in 2007, 4th place in Big 10)
The Badgers were pegged by many pundits to win the Big 10 last season and contend for a national championship, but those hopes were extinguished quickly as Wisconsin didn’t even break double-digit wins in 2007. Their defense did not live up to the lofty expectations exalted upon them and struggled to stop rushing and passing attacks alike.

Offensive Outlook: The Badgers will have quite a task ahead of them in replacing one-year starter Tyler Donovan. Although Donovan wasn’t great statistically, he was a gritty senior who was the heart of this offense. Fortunately, this year’s starter, Allan Evridge, does have previous starting experience from his short time at Kansas State. Evridge does have a few recognizable faces to help him ease into the starting job. P.J. Hill is back at running back and is poised for at least another 1200 yard season, and TE Travis Beckum is a great safety valve f when he’s in trouble.

Defensive Outlook: The Badgers return nine starters from a unit that by all accounts underachieved in 2007. Gone is star CB Jack Ikegwuonu and Wisconsin must find a solid cornerback to replace him. The good news though is that last year’s Big 10 interception leader FS Shane Carter returns, as well as the entire linebacking corps. Also returning is standout DE Matt Shaughnessy who has been wreaking havoc on Big 10 offensive tackles the past few years.

2008 Outlook: The Badgers have three cupcakes on their non-conference slate and their only real out of conference test will come when they have to travel to Fresno State on September 13th. After their “bye” week, the Badgers face the brunt of their schedule by playing Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, and Illinois in consecutive weeks which will go a long way to determining the success of their season. Luckily, Wisconsin does have the veterans to make it through such a stretch.

2008 will be a success if… Wisconsin can reach 9-10 wins and make their fifth straight appearance in a New Year’s Day bowl. The Badgers have maintained their status as one of the best programs in the Big 10, even through the coaching transition from Barry Alvarez to Bret Bielema, so a top half conference finish should be expected from Wiscy every year.

The big question is if Allan Evridge can replace the solid Tyler Donovan and solidify the quarterback position. If Evridge is able to do this, Wisconsin might be able to crack double-digit victories, if he can’t, then the Badgers might be playing their bowl game in 2008 for the first time since ‘03.

Prediction: 9-3, 3rd place in Big 10

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