The 2022 College Football season is starting to feel real with today’s release of the initial AP Poll. The Wisconsin Badgers landed at No. 18 in the first poll. The Badgers are among four Big Ten teams in the top 25: No. 2 Ohio State, No. 8 Michigan, and No. 15 Michigan State. Earlier this month, the Badgers were ranked No. 20 by the USA Today AFCA Coaches Poll.
Coming 🔜 to a stadium near you: #B1GFootball!
Here's some preseason predictions, thanks to USA Today/AFCA (@usatodaysports) and the Associated Press (@AP). pic.twitter.com/6zBEqCro79
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 15, 2022
The Badgers went 9-4 in 2021 and tied for second in the Big Ten’s west division with a 6-3 conference record. Many believe the Badgers will improve in 2022 as they return leading rusher Braelon Allen. Allen was dominant in the ground game as a freshman. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry as he rushed for 1,268 yards. He also added 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Graham Mertz will also return after throwing for 1,958 yards in 2021. For more on the Badgers’ offense, click here.
Head coach Paul Chryst has a 65-23 record as the Badgers’ head coach entering his eighth season at Wisconsin. This is the sixth consecutive season that the Badgers have begun in the top 25 of the AP Poll. Despite that, the Badgers have failed to finish in the top 25 the past two seasons.
The Badgers begin the season against Illinois State on Saturday, September 3rd at Camp Randall Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT and will be televised on FS1. Wisconsin’s first Big 10 matchup will be on the road against No. 2 Ohio State on September 24th.
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