Wisconsin Badgers
2001 record: 5-7 (3-5)
Coach: Barry Alvarez (13th season, 84-55)
Starters returning: 8 offense, 3 defense, punter

Outlook: Like Penn State, Wisconsin is an upper-tier Big Ten program bent on stepping up its game this year. Last season, despite having some individual stars on defense, the Badgers struggled to stop people. They allowed 28.8 points a game, and wound up an uncharacteristic 10th in the Big Ten in that category.

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	Wisconsin Badgers

The defense, which returns eight players who have started at one time or another even though only three are official returning starters, should be improved, particularly at linebacker, where some personnel changes have been made to make the linebackers a more athletic unit. The Badgers, who were dangerously young last year, lost only 14 lettermen, a Big Ten low, and should benefit from that experience and weight-room time as they try to bounce back.

Wisconsin suffered a potentially serious setback when Lee Evans, perhaps the best receiver in the league, suffered a major knee injury in spring practice. However, Evans is recuperating well and is expected to be back in late September. That would help an offense directed by gritty senior Brooks Bollinger, who will be bolstered by a top-notch offensive line and running game.

Key game: Penn State, Oct. 5. If the Badgers are going to finish ahead of the Nittany Lions, it would be helpful to beat them. And that conference opener could be a springboard for a program that has, under Alvarez, become an annual contender for the Big Ten title.

Keep an eye on: Anthony Davis, the latest in Wisconsin's line of quality running backs. Much will be made of the Badgers' new-found passing prowess. But Davis, who led the Big Ten in rushing (133.3 yards a game) as a freshman last fall, is a major piece in an offense geared toward avoiding mistakes and playing in unfavorable weather.

It's a good year if. . . Wisconsin finishes among the top four in the Big Ten, but don't be surprised if Wisconsin wins the league. Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State are the preseason darlings, but the Badgers have a big upside. And their five-game non-conference schedule will provide ample opportunity for the Badgers to polish their act before Big Ten play.

Herb Gould covers the Big Ten for the Chicago Sun-Times.