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College Football Rankings: Top 25 entering spring games

By Brad Weiss

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook (12) prior to the game the Big Ten Championship college football game against Penn State at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook (12) prior to the game the Big Ten Championship college football game against Penn State at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
16

Wisconsin Badgers

2016: 11-3, Big Ten- West Division

The Wisconsin Badgers surprised a lot of people with their play last season, as they played in an unexpected Big Ten Championship Game with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Penn State would go on to beat the Badgers, but the team would regroup in time to defeat the previously unbeaten Western Michigan Broncos in the Cotton Bowl. The Badgers return their starting quarterback from last season, and many expect him to have a big season in 2017.

That man is Alex Hornibrook, who got a ton of great experience last season. The team will need all they can get from the southpaw, as they lost Corey Clement and his nearly 1,400 yards to graduation. Wisconsin expects Bradrick Shaw to step in and fill that role, and he should do fine, as the offensive line is predicted to be strong despite the departure of star left tackle Ryan Ramczyk.

While the team should be strong on offense in 2017, the real key to the team last season was their defense, which suffered some huge losses to the roster. T.J. Watt and Vince Beigel formed arguably the best linebacker duo in the Big Ten last season, and both are gone. The secondary lost some big names as well, but newly minted defensive coordinator Jim Leonard was in charge of that group last season and should have them ready to go this season with some new faces leading the way.

The Big Ten West is definitely there for the taking, and the Badgers should be the favorite as play kicks off in September. They have a pretty weak early season schedule, as they open up against Utah State and Florida Atlantic. The Badgers toughest road game will likely be Nebraska this season, and they will have the luxury of hosting tough teams like Michigan and Maryland. Hornibrook should be solid, but their season will hinge on who will step up on defense in a tough Big Ten Conference.

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