Best (and Worst) Badger teams since 1975.
Initially, this started as a response to a Twitter poll about the best Badger team of the decade. As I started looking at the numbers, I eventually went all the way back to 1975 and ranked all the teams from #1-#45. Let's get right to the chase. Ultimately, there is subjectivity in which factors to weigh heavily, but I tried to take as objective approach as possible, looking at a variety of metrics/numbers and trying to stay away from intangibles like "This team had Russell Wilson so they get an undeserved edge." Yes, key players were considered, but not at the expense of the bottom line. As I get into the capsules for each team, you can see the factors that were considered.
|
TEAM #49: 1988
Coach: Don Morton Overall Record: 1-10 Big Ten Record: 1-7 Strength of Schedule: .564 Big Ten Strength: .498 Computer Power Ranking: .201 Average Points Scored: 9 Average Points Allowed: 29 Top 30 Record: 0-2 Top 30 Wins: None Losses: WMU (37), NIU (67), MIA (2), MICH 6), IA (35), ILL (51), NW (90), PUR (86), OSU (60), MSU (31) Losses by 14+: MIA, MICH, IA, ILL, NW, OSU, MSU Key Players: Marvin Artley, Todd Nelson, Lamarr White, John Banaszak, David Wings Commentary: Well, the list has to start somewhere. To nobody’s surprise, the early part of the list are going to be dominated by the Morton years (which of course coincided with my time as a student in Madison.) What was noteworthy in 1988 was the team was miserable, even though the schedule was very manageable, playing only two top 30 teams. 9 points a game on offense, 7 losses by more than two touchdowns. No other post 1975 teams can touch the 1988 team for pure futility. They will always have their one glorious victory over an equally inept Minnesota squad. |
|
|
TEAM #48: 1989
Coach: Don Morton Overall Record: 2-9 Big Ten Record: 1-7 Strength of Schedule: .667 Big Ten Strength: .545 Computer Power Ranking: .306 Average Points Scored: 16 Average Points Allowed: 31 Top 30 Record: 0-4 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: MIA (2), CAL (69), MICH (9), IA (68), ILL (11), MIN (54), IND (57), OSU (32), MSU (18) Losses by 14+: MIA, MICH, ILL, IND, OSU, MSU Key Players: Don Davey, Rick Godfrey, Eddie Fletcher, Chuck Belin, Malvin Hunter, Tim Knoeck, Craig Hudson Commentary: At least the 1989 team can claim that the schedule was a bit tougher (4 top 30 opponents) and yes, small progress was being made in terms of being a little bit more competitive (15 point average margin of defeat). Still, when the highlight of the year is scoring first against the Miami (FL) juggernaut, that pretty much says it all. My personal favorite story from that season was sitting through the final whistle at the final game of the Morton era. Yes, a few of my friends did attend, though they cut out at halftime. I sat in the cold (now at the 50 yard line with about 200 other hearty souls) until the bitter end, with the sole purpose of being able to say, “When they were good again, nobody is going to call me fair weather.” |
|
|
TEAM #47: 1990
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 1-10 Big Ten Record: 0-8 Strength of Schedule: .686 Big Ten Strength: .566 Computer Power Ranking: .292 Average Points Scored: 12 Average Points Allowed: 26 Top 30 Record: 0-5 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: CAL (27), TEMP (46), MICH (10), IA (23), NW (94), ILL (25), MIN (53), IND (50), OSU (32), MSU (21) Losses by 14+: CAL, MICH, IA, ILL, MIN, OSU Key Players: Don Davey, Malvin Hunter, David Senczyszyn, Troy Vincent, Gary Casper Commentary: On paper, the 1990 team ranked just behind the 1989 team in terms of computer power ranking, but I bumped them ahead due to the tougher schedule and a slightly better margin of loss. Alvarez’s first team hung around many of their games for a half, but just couldn’t put points on the board and often wore down by the end of games, which made a number of the losses subjectively better than they appear based on final margin of loss. The top end players were getting better (Vincent, Davey, Casper, etc.), but depth was a major issue. |
|
|
TEAM #46: 1987
Coach: Don Morton Overall Record: 3-8 Big Ten Record: 1-7 Strength of Schedule: .480 Big Ten Strength: .559 Computer Power Ranking: .346 Average Points Scored: 18 Average Points Allowed: 27 Top 30 Record: 1-3 Top 30 Wins: OSU (28) Losses: UT (78), MICH (21), IA (17), ILL (73), NW (94), PUR (75), MIN (57), MSU (10) Losses by 14+: MICH, IA, PUR, MSU Key Players: Paul Gruber, David Wings, Marvin Artley, Greg Thomas, Chad Vandezande, Todd Gregoire, Todd Nelson, Tony Lowery Commentary: While the record looks a little bit better than the teams below them, they were still horrible. They played an incredibly easy schedule to get those 3 wins, and they had losses to fellow bad teams in Utah, Northwestern, Purdue, etc. To think that this was the highpoint of the next few years is still depressing to this day. The one confounding game is that win vs. Ohio State. No, they weren’t a great Ohio State team, but it is still one of those games that you just can’t really explain other than to say, “That is sports.” As I like to say when the Badgers are upset, it does happen to everyone from time to time. |
|
|
TEAM #45: 1991
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 5-6 Big Ten Record: 2-6 Strength of Schedule: .334 Big Ten Strength: .537 Computer Power Ranking: .409 Average Points Scored: 16 Average Points Allowed: 18 Top 30 Record: 0-2 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: OSU (34), IA (13), PUR (68), IND (29), ILL, (35) MSU (82) Losses by 14+: OSU, PUR, ILL Key Players: Chuck Belin, Gary Casper, Reggie Holt, Dwight Reese, Mike Roan, Mike Thompson, Mike Verstegen, Troy Vincent Commentary: The schedule was horrible, which is why this team is still rated towards the bottom, but at least they were showing signs by at least beating some of those bad teams and battling hard vs. good Iowa and Indiana teams. Defensively, they were showing growth as 18 PPG allowed, even vs. a poor schedule, is still solid. Offensively, the pieces were starting to appear (DeRamus, Terrell Fletcher, Cory Raymer), but they were just not ready to be productive. |
|
|
TEAM #44: 1980
Coach: Dave McClain Overall Record: 4-7 Big Ten Record: 3-5 Strength of Schedule: .707 Big Ten Strength: .544 Computer Power Ranking: .447 Average Points Scored: 13 Average Points Allowed: 19 Top 30 Record: 0-5 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: PUR (25), BYU (10), UCLA (15), IND (69), OSU (18), IA (97), MICH (11) Losses by 14+: BYU, UCLA, IND, OSU, MICH Key Players: Tim Krumrie, Dave Ahrens, Dave Mohapp, David Greenwood, John Williams, Dave Levenick, Guy Boliaux, Tim Stracka, Von Mansfield Commentary: Another team with a pretty good defense and very little on offense to give them a chance against anyone good. While the record was worse than the 1991 team, the schedule was MUCH tougher, including top 15 NC opponents in BYU and UCLA. Like many McClain teams, you could always count on them to come up with big wins or close losses to a team like Purdue, but then find a way to lose to a miserable Iowa team. Ultimately, they just weren’t very good. |
|
|
TEAM #43: 1986
Coach: Jim Hilles Overall Record: 3-9 Big Ten Record: 2-6 Strength of Schedule: .616 Big Ten Strength: .568 Computer Power Ranking: .412 Average Points Scored: 17 Average Points Allowed: 22 Top 30 Record: 0-3 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: HAW (49), UNLV (67), WY (57), MICH (5), IA (22), IND (53), MIN (48), OSU (12), MSU (37) Losses by 14+: MICH Key Players: Tim Jordan, Rick Graf, Michael Reid, Nate Odomes, Larry Emery, Paul Gruber, Joe Armentrout. Michael Boykins Commentary: With some solid NFL level talent, the ‘86 team will always be an enigma. The easy and most probable explanation would be the emotional residue of the death of Dave McClain and the transition to Jim Hilles, who by most accounts was a good guy but probably not a great choice to be the head man. Despite a manageable schedule, the team just couldn’t win games. They rank higher than some of the teams with better records because nobody took them to the woodshed and the schedule is filled with “we only lost by ____.”. At some point winning matters and just hanging around games isn’t enough, regardless of your upper end talent. |
|
TEAM #42: 1975
Coach: John Jardine
Overall Record: 4-6-1
Big Ten Record: 3-4-1
Strength of Schedule: .638
Big Ten Strength: .564
Computer Power Ranking: .464
Average Points Scored: 16
Average Points Allowed: 24
Top 30 Record: 0-4
Top 30 Wins: none
Losses: MICH (12), MISSOU (23), KAN (26), OSU (3), IA (98), MIN (59), IND-tie (108)
Losses by 14+: MICH, KAN, OSU, IA, MIN
Key Players: Billy Marek, Terry Stieve, Steve Wagner, Dennis Lick, Dennis Stejskal, Joe Norwick
Commentary: On one hand, a better computer power ranking than the teams below them, a near .500 record in the Big Ten, a couple of all-time great players in Marek, Lick, and Stieve, but 5 blowout losses, including one to a bad Iowa team, a mediocre Minnesota team, and a tie with an even worse Indiana team. From my best recollection, I think my first Badger game was actually the following year, so I don’t have any tangible memories of this team, but on paper, we are very much still in the “meh...not very good” category of teams.
Coach: John Jardine
Overall Record: 4-6-1
Big Ten Record: 3-4-1
Strength of Schedule: .638
Big Ten Strength: .564
Computer Power Ranking: .464
Average Points Scored: 16
Average Points Allowed: 24
Top 30 Record: 0-4
Top 30 Wins: none
Losses: MICH (12), MISSOU (23), KAN (26), OSU (3), IA (98), MIN (59), IND-tie (108)
Losses by 14+: MICH, KAN, OSU, IA, MIN
Key Players: Billy Marek, Terry Stieve, Steve Wagner, Dennis Lick, Dennis Stejskal, Joe Norwick
Commentary: On one hand, a better computer power ranking than the teams below them, a near .500 record in the Big Ten, a couple of all-time great players in Marek, Lick, and Stieve, but 5 blowout losses, including one to a bad Iowa team, a mediocre Minnesota team, and a tie with an even worse Indiana team. From my best recollection, I think my first Badger game was actually the following year, so I don’t have any tangible memories of this team, but on paper, we are very much still in the “meh...not very good” category of teams.
|
TEAM #41: 1979
Coach: Dave McClain Overall Record: 4-7 Big Ten Record: 3-5 Strength of Schedule: .693 Big Ten Strength: .594 Computer Power Ranking: .462 Average Points Scored: 19 Average Points Allowed: 28 Top 30 Record: 0-3 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: PUR (19), UCLA (42), SDSU (43), IND (31), OSU (4), IA (59), MICH (21) Losses by 14+: PUR, UCLA, OSU, MICH Key Players: Ray Snell, Dave Mohapp, Tom Stauss, Larry Spurlin, Tim Krumrie, Mike Kalasmiki, Tom Schremp, Dave Ahrens Commentary: On the plus side, for the most part they beat the teams they should have beaten, as basically all of their losses were to quality teams in a tough schedule. As usual, for that era, they were obliterated by Michigan and Ohio State. Other than a 3-0 loss to a good Indiana team, they never really gave the good teams much of a run. Ultimately, there isn’t a whole lot distinguishing these teams in the #35-#40 range...just more mediocrity. |
|
|
TEAM #40: 1977
Coach: John Jardine Overall Record: 5-6 Big Ten Record: 3-6 Strength of Schedule: .578 Big Ten Strength: .584 Computer Power Ranking: .480 Average Points Scored: 12 Average Points Allowed: 18 Top 30 Record: 0-3 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: MICH (8), MSU (30), OSU (11), PUR (75), IA (85), MIN (45) Losses by 14+: MICH, OSU, PUR, IA Key Players: Dennis Stejskal, Dave Crossen, David Charles, Ira Matthews, Dave Ahrens, Greg Gordon Commentary: The 1977 team was a bit of a story in that they began the year 5-0 and even as a youngster, I remember the buzz around Madison. In hindsight, those wins came against Indiana (63), Northern Illinois (126), Oregon (117), Northwestern (130), and Illinois (109), so they were about as poor of quality wins as you could possibly imagine, but at the time, we thought they might be having a season. They were shut out in 3 of the next 4 games, outscored 129-7 and that was that. Ultimately, they were another in the line of Badger teams that struggled to score points. |
|
TEAM #39: 1978
Coach: Dave McClain
Overall Record: 5-4-2
Big Ten Record: 3-4-2
Strength of Schedule: .423
Big Ten Strength: .511
Computer Power Ranking: .482
Average Points Scored: 20
Average Points Allowed: 25
Top 30 Record: 0-2-1
Top 30 Wins: PUR (22)-tie
Losses: ILL-tie (125), MICH (5), MSU (19), OSU (38), IA (122)
Losses by 14+: MICH, MSU, OSU
Key Players: Mike Kalasmiki, Lawrence Johnson, Ray Snell, David Charles, Ira Matthews, Ray Syndor, Jim Moore, Tom Schremp, Dan Relich
Commentary: Like the ‘77 team, the 1978 team got off to a fast start, winning their first 4 games. Late in the year, they managed a tie against a good Purdue team and they even managed to score a couple times against the Buckeyes. A loss to a brutal Iowa team and a tie against an equally inept Illini team tanked their season. The Big Ten was down that year and to be honest, they probably should have been a 7-4 type team.
Coach: Dave McClain
Overall Record: 5-4-2
Big Ten Record: 3-4-2
Strength of Schedule: .423
Big Ten Strength: .511
Computer Power Ranking: .482
Average Points Scored: 20
Average Points Allowed: 25
Top 30 Record: 0-2-1
Top 30 Wins: PUR (22)-tie
Losses: ILL-tie (125), MICH (5), MSU (19), OSU (38), IA (122)
Losses by 14+: MICH, MSU, OSU
Key Players: Mike Kalasmiki, Lawrence Johnson, Ray Snell, David Charles, Ira Matthews, Ray Syndor, Jim Moore, Tom Schremp, Dan Relich
Commentary: Like the ‘77 team, the 1978 team got off to a fast start, winning their first 4 games. Late in the year, they managed a tie against a good Purdue team and they even managed to score a couple times against the Buckeyes. A loss to a brutal Iowa team and a tie against an equally inept Illini team tanked their season. The Big Ten was down that year and to be honest, they probably should have been a 7-4 type team.
|
TEAM #38: 1992
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 5-6 Big Ten Record: 3-5 Strength of Schedule: .522 Big Ten Strength: .530 Computer Power Ranking: .502 Average Points Scored: 19 Average Points Allowed: 18 Top 30 Record: 2-1 Top 30 Wins: OSU (14), Bowl Green (21) Losses: Wash (9), IA (54), Ind (68), ILL (43), MSU (58), NW (82) Losses by 14+: Wash, MSU Key Players: Lamark Shackerford, Gary Casper, Scott Nelson, Sam Veit, Rich Thompson, Chuck Belin, Joe Panos, Mike Thompson, Lee DeRamus, Reggie Holt Commentary: For the first time on our list, we see a team with some real impact wins. After battling a top 10 Washington team hard in the opener, the Badgers knocked off an excellent Bowling Green team and started the Big Ten season by defeating the Buckeyes. The offense was still not there however, and a narrow loss to an average Iowa team compounded with a loss to a mediocre Indiana team derailed the hopes before a season crushing heartbreaker to a bad Northwestern team knocked them out of a bowl game. We know how the story ended with this core of players, but the 1992 team could not take that next hurdle against a down Big Ten. |
|
|
TEAM #37: 2008
Coach: Bret Bielema Overall Record: 7-6 Big Ten Record: 3-5 Strength of Schedule: .564 Big Ten Strength: .588 Computer Power Ranking: .564 Average Points Scored: 27 Average Points Allowed: 27 Top 30 Record: 0-5 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: MICH (92), OSU (11), PSU (7), IA (21), MSU (26), FSU (19) Losses by 14+: PSU, IA, FSU Key Players: Garrett Graham, David Gilreath, Kraig Urbik, Mike Newkirk, Jay Valai, Allen Langford, Jonathan Casillas, PJ Hill, DeAndre Levy, Matt Shaughnessy Commentary: The 7 wins looks at least ok, but the 3 blowout losses, a loss to what is most likely the worst Michigan team in modern history (after leading 19-0), the 0-4 start to the Big Ten, the lucky home win vs. Cal-Poly all point to underachievement. Offensively, they put up some points despite the Dustin Sherer experience at QB. The talent level was solid, but there have always been rumors about this team about the behind the scenes stuff, which might explain their fairly low ranking (in fact, behind a few teams with losing records). All in all, the first team to appear on my list from the last 20 years is one to probably forget. |
|
TEAM #36: 1976
Coach: John Jardine
Overall Record: 5-6
Big Ten Record: 3-5
Strength of Schedule: .553
Big Ten Strength: .568
Computer Power Ranking: .542
Average Points Scored: 27
Average Points Allowed: 24
Top 30 Record: 0-2
Top 30 Wins: none
Losses: MICH (4), KAN (34), PUR (61), OSU (8), IND (82), ILL (47)
Losses by 14+: none
Key Players: Larry Canada, Ira Matthews, Mike Carroll, Ron Egloff, Scott Erdmann, Dennis Stejskal, Ken Dixon
Commentary: Pretty good offense for that era, and they were more or less in every game they played, even against Ohio State and Michigan which is something. No, they didn’t beat anyone really good and yes, that loss to Indiana sticks out. Close loses to Illinois and Purdue prevented them from that winning record. While the comparison with 2008 is fair, I ranked them higher due to better point differential against similar competition (not getting blown out matters.)
Coach: John Jardine
Overall Record: 5-6
Big Ten Record: 3-5
Strength of Schedule: .553
Big Ten Strength: .568
Computer Power Ranking: .542
Average Points Scored: 27
Average Points Allowed: 24
Top 30 Record: 0-2
Top 30 Wins: none
Losses: MICH (4), KAN (34), PUR (61), OSU (8), IND (82), ILL (47)
Losses by 14+: none
Key Players: Larry Canada, Ira Matthews, Mike Carroll, Ron Egloff, Scott Erdmann, Dennis Stejskal, Ken Dixon
Commentary: Pretty good offense for that era, and they were more or less in every game they played, even against Ohio State and Michigan which is something. No, they didn’t beat anyone really good and yes, that loss to Indiana sticks out. Close loses to Illinois and Purdue prevented them from that winning record. While the comparison with 2008 is fair, I ranked them higher due to better point differential against similar competition (not getting blown out matters.)
|
TEAM #35: 1985
Coach: Dave McClain Overall Record: 5-6 Big Ten Record: 2-6 Strength of Schedule: .654 Big Ten Strength: .646 Computer Power Ranking: .547 Average Points Scored: 21 Average Points Allowed: 24 Top 30 Record: 1-3 Top 30 Wins: OSU (15) Losses: MICH (1), IA (9), NW (87), ILL (34), MIN (31), MSU (28) Losses by 14+: MICH, MSU Key Players: Tim Jordan, Craig Raddatz, Larry Emery, Bob Landsee, Rick Graf, Nate Odomes, Michael Reid, Paul Gruber Commentary: How often have we seen this over the years...victory over very good Ohio State team, and loss to terrible Northwestern team. As I have noted earlier, welcome to the Dave McClain era of Badger football. The ‘85 teams gets a bump over some of the similar teams due to playing a much tougher schedule. Other than the loss to the Wildcats, the other losses were all respectable. They were hammered by MSU in the finale, though they had some pretty serious injuries at the time (Gruber out, QB Mike Howard playing hurt, Graf hurt, etc.) I am also a fan of quality wins, so that OSU victory carries some weight. They also battled top 10 Iowa hard. |
|
|
TEAM #34: 2001
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 5-7 Big Ten Record: 3-5 Strength of Schedule: .700 Big Ten Strength: .598 Computer Power Ranking: .565 Average Points Scored: 26 Average Points Allowed: 29 Top 30 Record: 0-4 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: ORE (4), FRES (17), IND (60), ILL (10), MSU (45), MICH (19), MIN (77) Losses by 14+: IND Key Players: Wendell Bryant, Nick Greisen, Mike Echols, Brooks Bollinger, Anthony Davis, Lee Evans, Mark Anelli, Ben Johnson, Al Johnson Commentary: Offense was pretty good, but defense wasn’t, which was a bad situation considering the brutal schedule, with high quality NC games vs. Oregon, Fresno State plus games against PSU, OSU, top 10 Illinois, and Michigan . Other than perhaps the worst Badgers game I have seen in person vs. Indiana, the team hung around everyone, but just couldn’t score enough to overcome their marginal defense. While they did not have any top 30 wins, Iowa and Ohio State were just outside the top 30, while PSU while only average, was still PSU. |
|
|
TEAM #33: 2020 Coach: Paul Chryst Overall Record: 4-3 Big Ten Record: 3-3 Strength of Schedule: .464 Big Ten Strength: .455 Computer Power Ranking: .501 Average Points Scored: 25 Average Points Allowed: 17 Top 30 Record: 0-2 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: NW (20), IND (30), IA (31) Losses by 14+: IA Key Players: Logan Bruss, Cole Van Lanen, Jake Ferguson, Isaiah Loudermilk, Jack Sanborn, Caesar Williams Commentary: The year of Covid made this team hard to place, as many of the metrics are just incomplete. Defensively, the Badgers were good, but after two big offensive performances early vs. Illinois and a bad Michigan team, they just couldn't score for much of the year. On paper, they SOS wasn't good (for what it is worth), but all the losses were against pretty good teams. Still, they did not pass the eyeball test and looked very much like a 7-6 type team over a full season. |
|
|
TEAM #32: 1997
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 8-5 Big Ten Record: 5-3 Strength of Schedule: .592 Big Ten Strength: .583 Computer Power Ranking: .595 Average Points Scored: 22 Average Points Allowed: 24 Top 30 Record: 1-5 Top 30 Wins: IOWA (30) Losses: SYR (27), PUR (20), MICH (2), PSU (18), GA (6) Losses by 14+: SYR, PUR, PSU, GA Key Players: Tom Burke, Ron Dayne, Matt Davenport, Aaron Gibson, David Lysek, Chris McIntosh, Kevin Stemke, Donnell Thompson, John Favret Commentary: One of the more interesting teams in Badger history, in that they were an example of a team that probably did not deserve their record (or, if you prefer, found a way to win). Bottom line was that when they played someone good, they usually were manhandled. When they played someone average or poor, they squeaked the game out with 4 Big Ten wins by a combined 6 points. This got them a ridiculous bowl matchup with a top 6 Georgia team, which expectedly dismantled them, bringing about all sorts of nonsense about SEC speed superiority. The actual narrative was that the team was very young and still developing, which we saw in the ‘98 and’99 teams, with most of the same core of players. |
|
|
TEAM #31: 2023
Coach: Luke Fickell Overall Record: 7-6 Big Ten Record: 5-4 Strength of Schedule: .611 Big Ten Strength: .626 Computer Power Ranking: .599 Average Points Scored: 23 Average Points Allowed: 20 Top 30 Record: 0-3 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: Wash. State (68), OSU (4), IA (27), IND (98), NW (53), LSU (13) Losses by 14+: OSU, NW Key Players: Hunter Wohler, Ricardo Hallman, Braelon Allen, Tanner Mordecai, Will Pauling, Tanor Bortolini Commentary: Almost indistinguishable from 2022 on paper. Same lack of quality wins. Same meh results against the same meh teams. Somehow, despite a new offense, and a bevy of skill players on offense, the offense got even worse. You could argue that their best game of the year (a loss to LSU) was better than anything in 2022, but I think they were “luckier” in the toss up games, narrowly beating mediocre Nebraska, Illinois, and Minnesota teams. I also think the change in importance of bowl games (now and moving forward) should be noted, given the mass number of opt outs and how little teams seem to care about these games. Regardless, you can probably flip a coin overall with 2022 and 2023, but I will rank them a step behind, simply because expectations were higher and I thought the quality of play on the field was lower. The ass kickings by Indiana and Northwestern are enough for me. |
|
|
TEAM #30: 2022
Coach: Paul Chryst/Jim Leonhard Overall Record: 7-6 Big Ten Record: 4-5 Strength of Schedule: .575 Big Ten Strength: .608 Computer Power Ranking: .595 Average Points Scored: 26 Average Points Allowed: 20 Top 30 Record: 0-3 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: Wash. State (55), OSU (2), ILL (28), MSU (71), IA (40), MINN (26) Losses by 14+: OSU, ILL, IA Key Players: Braelon Allen, Graham Mertz, Tanor Bortolini, Keanue Benton, Maema Njongmeta, Nick Herbig, John Torchio, Ricardon Hallman Commentary: A close loss at a mediocre Washington State team, followed by bad losses vs. good teams (Ohio State, Illinois) lead to the surprising firing of Chryst. DC Jim Leonhard took the helm and the team rebounded somewhat to squeak into a bowl game, but it was not deemed to be enough and Fickell was brought in after the season. In hindsight, they were an ok, but not great offense with a still developing Mertz and some youth on the OL. The defense was fine, but not great and overall, the team overall struggled to find much consistency. They probably deserve an extra win or two (losing 3 of their 4 close games), and maybe if Chryst stays on and coaches them up, that happens, but it would not have changed their ranking to any meaningful degree. |
|
|
TEAM #29: 2003
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 7-6 Big Ten Record: 4-4 Strength of Schedule: .638 Big Ten Strength: .595 Computer Power Ranking: .611 Average Points Scored: 27 Average Points Allowed: 24 Top 30 Record: 1-4 Top 30 Wins: OSU (8) Losses: UNLV (63), PUR (23), NW (62), MIN (25), IA (11), AUB (27) Losses by 14+: UNLV, AUB Key Players: Lee Evans, Dan Buenning, Jim Sorgi, Antajj Hawthorne, Alex Lewis, Jim Leonhard, Scott Starks, Jon Clinkscale Commentary: Team got off to an impressive 6-1 start, including a win over top 10 Ohio State (Schabert to Evans) and a solid West Virginia squad, but then lost 5 of their last 6, with yes, you guessed it, a bad loss to Northwestern. We are now solidly in the range of good teams, but ones with flaws or inconsistencies. |
|
|
TEAM #28: 1995
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 4-5-2 Big Ten Record: 3-4-1 Strength of Schedule: .829 Big Ten Strength: .668 Computer Power Ranking: .608 Average Points Scored: 21 Average Points Allowed: 23 Top 30 Record: 1-4 Top 30 Wins: PSU (11) Losses: COL (6), STAN-tie (32), OSU (3), NW (4), PUR (48), IA (20), ILL-tie (34) Losses by 14+: COL, NW Key Players: Darrell Bevell, Tarek Saleh, Jason Maniecki, Pete Monty, Jerry Wunsch, Tony Simmons, Eric Unverzagt Commentary: And here is our final team on the list with a losing record. How in the world can a team with a losing record be ahead of multiple teams with winning records? The schedule was absolutely brutal, by FAR the toughest played in the post-1975 era. Not only was this the best the Big Ten has been, but the NC slate included games against top 6 Colorado and #32 Stanford. They faced four top 11 teams, not including top 20 Iowa and #34 Illinois. The team was not without flaws of course, as the beat downs from Colorado and Northwestern will show, but with a lighter schedule, they fit in very nicely with the teams just below them as well as those coming up next. |
|
|
TEAM #27: 1982
Coach: Dave McClain Overall Record: 7-5 Big Ten Record: 5-4 Strength of Schedule: .582 Big Ten Strength: .538 Computer Power Ranking: .622 Average Points Scored: 24 Average Points Allowed: 21 Top 30 Record: 1-2 Top 30 Wins: OSU (24) Losses: MICH (23), UCLA (4) ILL (35), IND (64), IA (36) Losses by 14+: UCLA Key Players: Tim Krumrie, Daryl Sims, David Greenwood, Matt Vandenboom, Mark Shumate, Randy Wright, Tim Stracka, Bob Winckler, Ron Versnik, Richard Johnson Commentary: The ‘82-’84 teams were all very similar, with a lot of high end talent, but they never seemed to be able to get over the hump, good enough to beat Ohio State, but then finding a way to lose to Indiana. Overall though, those two games aside, the ‘82 team more or less did find their level, beating who they should, and losing to who you would expect. The losses to Iowa and Illinois were very competitive (a bounce pass ruined), but their victories over shaky Purdue and Michigan State squads could also have gone either way. |
|
|
TEAM #26: 2018
Coach: Paul Chryst Overall Record: 8-5 Big Ten Record: 5-4 Strength of Schedule: .557 Big Ten Strength: .602 Computer Power Ranking: .634 Average Points Scored: 30 Average Points Allowed: 23 Top 30 Record: 1-2 Top 30 Wins: IA (24) Losses: BYU (58), MICH (9), NW (32), PSU (18), MIN (47) Losses by 14+: MICH, MN Key Players: Jonathan Taylor, Michael Deiter, Tyler Biadasz, Beau Benzschawel, David Edwards, TJ Edwards, Ryan Connelly, Andrew Van Ginkel Commentary: Key injuries at multiple positions really hampered the 2018 team, and they were inconsistent throughout, with shaky losses early (BYU) and late (Minnesota). The defense struggled to get stops, and the injury to QB Alex Hornibrook threw the offense into a funk despite dominant run blocking and the continued excellence of Jonathan Taylor. When they got healthier for their bowl game, they took apart a decent Miami team, but by modern standards, the season is widely viewed as a disappointment (which shows you how far the program has come.) |
|
|
TEAM #25: 1984
Coach: Dave McClain Overall Record: 7-4 Big Ten Record: 5-3 Strength of Schedule: .579 Big Ten Strength: .552 Computer Power Ranking: .628 Average Points Scored: 20 Average Points Allowed: 17 Top 30 Record: 1-1-1 Top 30 Wins: OSU (13), IA (10)-tie Losses: MICH (45), ILL (37), MIN (78), KY (20) Losses by 14+: ILL Key Players: Daryl Sims, Jim Melka, Richard Johnson, Ken Stills, Larry Emery, Al Toon, Jeff Dellenbach, Dan Turk, Kevin Belcher, Scott Bergold Commentary: This team was good, with NFL level talent and the win and tie over top 13 Ohio State and Iowa will attest. Close losses to Michigan and Kentucky in the Hall of Fame Bowl as well as a bad Gopher team prevented anything more however. As to theories why the McClain teams couldn’t quite get over the hump..some will say lack of supporting players behind the Sims, Toons, Krumries, Johnsons of the era. Some will say that McClain was just too nice a guy. Some will say that it was fans wanting so desperately to be more, when in reality, they were what they were...good, not great, teams that like other “good not greats” are going to have their share of close wins and close losses. I do think that era is underrated however, as so many fans today focus on the ineptitude of the Morton years later in the decade, and ignore the good play of the program early in the decade. |
|
|
TEAM #24: 1983
Coach: Dave McClain Overall Record: 7-4 Big Ten Record: 5-4 Strength of Schedule: .585 Big Ten Strength: .548 Computer Power Ranking: .656 Average Points Scored: 32 Average Points Allowed: 22 Top 30 Record: 1-4 Top 30 Wins: MISSOU (28) Losses: MICH (8), ILL (9), OSU (15), IA (12) Losses by 14+: MICH, OSU, IA Key Players: Jim Melka, Richard Johnson, Randy Wright, Al Toon, Gary Ellerson, Jeff Dellenbach, Dan Turk Commentary: Throw them into a hat with the ‘81, ‘84, ‘82 teams. The ‘83 team had a much better offense than the ‘84 team just behind them, but a worse defense. They had no bad losses, but also lost the games vs. the big boys more handily. They had a higher point differential than the ‘84 team and a higher power rating, but fewer impressive wins. If someone wants to jumble these McClain teams around, I wouldn’t argue too much. |
|
|
TEAM #23: 1981
Coach: Dave McClain Overall Record: 7-5 Big Ten Record: 6-3 Strength of Schedule: .694 Big Ten Strength: .587 Computer Power Ranking: .646 Average Points Scored: 22 Average Points Allowed: 18 Top 30 Record: 2-2 Top 30 Wins: MICH (12), OSU (20) Losses: UCLA (18), MSU (71), ILL (34), IA (21), TENN (48) Losses by 14+: UCLA, MSU Key Players: Tim Krumrie, Mark Shumate, Daryl Sims, Dave Levenick, David Greenwood, Matt Vandenboom, Dave Mohapp, John Williams, Bob Winckler, Ron Versnik Commentary: I think this was the best of the McClain teams. 6 Big Ten wins and an overall schedule that was very difficult. The loss to MSU is hard to comprehend and the Garden State Bowl loss to Reggie White and Tennessee is still a bit hard to swallow. An odd anecdote from the ‘81 season was that the Purdue win was considered a big win at the time. I have a button somewhere that touts the victories over Michigan, Purdue, and Ohio State in the same season. They had come off two good seasons, but wound up at 5-6, #70 on the year. |
|
|
TEAM #22: 2002
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 8-6 Big Ten Record: 2-6 Strength of Schedule: .761 Big Ten Strength: .631 Computer Power Ranking: .669 Average Points Scored: 27 Average Points Allowed: 23 Top 30 Record: 2-4 Top 30 Wins: WVIR (23), COL (21) Losses: PSU (15), IND (91), OSU (1), IA (8), ILL (61), MICH (10) Losses by 14+: IA, ILL Key Players: Brooks Bollinger, Anthony Davis, Ben Johnson, Dan Buenning, Al Johnson, Jim Leonhard, Erasmus James, Antajj Hawthorne Commentary: The 2002 team was one of the hardest to place. On one hand, they were just 2-6 in conference, including blowing a 19 point lead vs. a terrible Indiana team and the infamous Gibran Hamdan. On the other hand, the strength of schedule was very high, with quality wins over Colorado, West Virginia, a 9 win Fresno team, and an 8 win Northern Illinois team. They lost tight games vs. #1 Ohio State, #15 PSU, and #10 Michigan. Without the loss of Lee Evans before the season, I think it could be argued that this team would have been somewhere on the outskirts of the top 15. Still, 6 losses are 6 losses so here is where they sit. |
|
|
TEAM #21: 2007
Coach: Bret Bielema Overall Record: 9-4 Big Ten Record: 5-3 Strength of Schedule: .513 Big Ten Strength: .592 Computer Power Ranking: .650 Average Points Scored: 29 Average Points Allowed: 23 Top 30 Record: 1-4 Top 30 Wins: MI (27) Losses: ILL (23), PSU (24), OSU (7), TEN (15) Losses by 14+: PSU, OSU Key Players: Matt Shaughnessy, Jack Ikegwuonu, Ken DeBauche, Allen Langford, Jason Chapman, PJ Hill, Travis Beckum, Marcus Coleman, Kraig Urbik, Taylor Mehlhaff Commentary: The 9 wins are nice, but the schedule was very light, as the team jumped off to 5 straight wins against bad teams, often in much tighter games than you would expect. All of their losses were to teams in the top 25 but they weren’t really competitive vs. PSU or OSU. Given the weak schedule, their margin of victory and raw win total needed to be higher for them to rank in the top 20. |
|
|
TEAM #20: 1996
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 8-5 Big Ten Record: 3-5 Strength of Schedule: .602 Big Ten Strength: .642 Computer Power Ranking: .674 Average Points Scored: 29 Average Points Allowed: 19 Top 30 Record: 0-4 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: PSU (6), OSU (1), NW (21), MSU (35), IA (16) Losses by 14+: MSU, IA Key Players: Ron Dayne, Jamie Vanderveldt, Jerry Wunsch, Chris McIntosh, Tarek Saleh, Pete Monty, Jason Suttle Commentary: The 1996 team had a worse Big Ten record than the 2007 team and no high quality wins. However, they were more impressive on a game to game basis against a much tougher schedule, resulting in a higher computer power ranking, which I feel was deserved. They lost their first four Big Ten games, the first 3 in heartbreaking fashion to elite Ohio State and Penn State teams, as well as a top 20 Northwestern. The Northwestern loss was the infamous "Take a Knee" game. At the time, I did a quick breakdown of the time situation and concluded that they would have had to punt the ball (and I believe they had already botched one punt earlier in the game), though it would have been close. Anyway, they won 5 of their last 6 and other than a clunker vs. #16 Iowa, the offensive in particular put up some big numbers behind the running of Ron Dayne. |
|
|
TEAM #19: 2004
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 9-3 Big Ten Record: 6-2 Strength of Schedule: .535 Big Ten Strength: .600 Computer Power Ranking: .713 Average Points Scored: 21 Average Points Allowed: 15 Top 30 Record: 2-2 Top 30 Wins: OSU (23), PUR (26) Losses: MSU (67), IA (11), GA (12) Losses by 14+: MSU, IA Key Players: Erasmus James, Antajj Hawthorne, Scott Starks, Jim Leonhard, Anthony Davis, Matt Bernstein, Joe Thomas, Dan Buenning, Jon Clinkscale, Brandon Williams Commentary: Like the 2007 team, the big drawback on the 2004 team was an easy schedule. They began the season 9-0 with quality wins over Ohio State and Purdue (some might say a cataclysmic turn of events). The team lost Erasmus James in the Boilermaker game which many believe contributed to their 3 game losing streak to end the year, including getting manhandled by a very average MSU team to end the winning streak before losing to two very good Iowa and Georgia teams. The defense was very good (until those last few games), but the offense was merely pedestrian, in part due to shaky QB play (sophomore John Stocco.) |
|
|
TEAM #18: 2012
Coach: Bret Bielema Overall Record: 8-6 Big Ten Record: 5-4 Strength of Schedule: .686 Big Ten Strength: .595 Computer Power Ranking: .685 Average Points Scored: 30 Average Points Allowed: 19 Top 30 Record: 2-4 Top 30 Wins: NEB (18), UTAHST (17) Losses: OREST (15), NEB (18), MSU (41), OSU (10), PSU (37), STAN (6) Losses by 14+: none Key Players: Montee Ball, James White, Jared Abbrederis, Jacob Pederson, Rick Wagner, Ryan Groy, Travis Frederick, Mike Taylor, Chris Borland, Devin Smith Commentary: The 2012 team lost 6 games but every loss was respectable to a decent if not good team and all were close. Due to the issues at Ohio State and Penn State, the Badgers qualified for the Big Ten Championship game where they put the hammer down on Nebraska in what is one of the favorite games for most Badgers fans. The offense was good, thanks to a terrific offensive line and a great stable of backs and receivers. As noted, their big issue is that they lost most of their close games, which is often a function more of luck than skill. They were probably closer to a 10-4 type team than an 8-6 team. |
|
|
TEAM #17: 1994
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 7-4-1 Big Ten Record: 5-2-1 Strength of Schedule: .684 Big Ten Strength: .651 Computer Power Ranking: .693 Average Points Scored: 30 Average Points Allowed: 20 Top 30 Record: 2-2 Top 30 Wins: MICH (10), ILL (20) Losses: COL (4), MIN (69), OSU (13), PUR (51)-tie, MSU (36) Losses by 14+: COL, OSU, MSU Key Players: Darrell Bevell, Terrell Fletcher, Mike Roan, Mike Verstegen, Joe Rudolph, Cory Raymer, Jason Maniecki, Mike Thompson, Kenny Gales, Jeff Messenger Commentary: Hopes were high coming off the Rose Bowl year, but a thrashing by #4 Colorado in the second game of the year suggested that things would not be quite as rosy in 1994. A midseason tie to a very average Purdue followed by a loss the following week to middling Gophers further tarnished the season. Still, they did play a tough schedule, only lost twice in conference, and had two top 20 quality wins, so they were still a very good team, just lacking in the magic of the ‘93 season. |
|
|
TEAM #16: 2000
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 9-4 Big Ten Record: 4-4 Strength of Schedule: .694 Big Ten Strength: .579 Computer Power Ranking: .709 Average Points Scored: 25 Average Points Allowed: 20 Top 30 Record: 2-3 Top 30 Wins: ORE (10), WMICH (22) Losses: NW (34), MICH (11), OSU (19), PUR (25) Losses by 14+: OSU Key Players: Wendell Bryant, Ross Kolodziej, Nick Greisen, Mike Echols, Jamar Fletcher, Kevin Stemke, Brooks Bollinger, Michael Bennett, Chris Chambers, Bill Ferrario, Casey Rabach Commentary: Most people believe that a Rose Bowl three-peat was very possible, if not for the Shoe Box scandal that struck just before the opener. A little off on a tangent here, but it is still baffling that the NCAA could so completely devastate a program in terms of the timing of sanctions, especially given the way violations are handled with regards to other programs. While the Badgers managed to eek out 3 wins (against pretty good competition in Oregon and Western Michigan), it almost assuredly hurt in their narrow loss to NW in week four, which kicked off a three game losing streak. The team recovered late to win their last five, but the damage was done. There is nothing in their performance or their talent level to suggest that a big season was not in the cards without the infractions. |
|
|
TEAM #15: 2013
Coach: Gary Andersen Overall Record: 9-4 Big Ten Record: 6-2 Strength of Schedule: .518 Big Ten Strength: .590 Computer Power Ranking: .734 Average Points Scored: 35 Average Points Allowed: 16 Top 30 Record: 0-3 Top 30 Wins: none Losses: ASU (13), OSU (10), PSU (61), SCAR (8) Losses by 14+: none Key Players: Melvin Gordon, James White, Jared Abbrederis, Jacob Pedersen, Ryan Groy, Rob Havenstein, Beau Allen, Chris Borland, Sojourn Shelton Commentary:The 2013 team played a light schedule, which meant zero top 30 wins. It should be noted that without a massive botch job by the Pac-10 officiating crew, they most likely would have beaten #13 Arizona State. Despite the lack of big wins, their other two losses were to top ten teams in Ohio State and South Carolina in competitive games, with their only hiccup against a mediocre Penn State team in the regular season finale. They did have an average scoring margin of 19 points per game which meant few of their wins were contested. |
|
|
TEAM #14: 2009
Coach: Bret Bielema Overall Record: 10-3 Big Ten Record: 5-3 Strength of Schedule: .589 Big Ten Strength: .611 Computer Power Ranking: .737 Average Points Scored: 32 Average Points Allowed: 22 Top 30 Record: 1-2 Top 30 Wins: MIA (17) Losses: OSU (8), IA (9), NW (55) Losses by 14+: OSU Key Players: O’Brien Schofield, JJ Watt, Jay Valai, Chris Maragos, John Clay, Lance Kendricks, Garrett Graham, Gabe Carimi, John Moffit, Kevin Zeitler Commentary: Fucking Northwestern….sorry...just had to get that out (again). Schedule was better than 2013, but still a little light with the only high quality win being against the Hurricanes in the “Let’s Go Camping” Bowl. Their best conference win was MSU, who wound up at #57. Offense was very good lead by a classic Badger offensive line, but defense was meh. It says a lot that a 10-3 team is not really all that close to cracking the top 10 as there is a solid gap between 2009 and our next team on the list. I am guessing that PJ Fleck would be erecting monuments based on this type of season. |
|
|
TEAM #13: 2014
Coach: Gary Andersen Overall Record: 11-3 Big Ten Record: 7-2 Strength of Schedule: .627 Big Ten Strength: .611 Computer Power Ranking: .763 Average Points Scored: 35 Average Points Allowed: 21 Top 30 Record: 2-2 Top 30 Wins: AUB (21), NEB (28) Losses: LSU (27), NW (76), OSU (1) Losses by 14+: OSU Key Players: Derek Landisch, Vince Biegel, Michael Caputo, Darius Hillary, Melvin Gordon, Joel Stave, Dan Voltz, Kyle Costigan, Rob Havenstein, Alex Erickson Commentary: Team made the Big Ten title game, winning the West with a 7-1 record (and yes, the loss was to a bad Northwestern team) and a tightly fought contest vs. LSU. They were destroyed by elite Ohio State team in that title game before they came back to beat solid Auburn club in the Outback Bowl under temporary coach Barry Alvarez. They are basically a toss-up with the 2015 team, but they lose out based on the bad loss to NW, all else being more or less equal (with many of the same players.) |
|
|
TEAM #12: 2015
Coach: Paul Chryst Overall Record: 10-3 Big Ten Record: 6-2 Strength of Schedule: .581 Big Ten Strength: .651 Computer Power Ranking: .765 Average Points Scored: 27 Average Points Allowed: 14 Top 30 Record: 1-3 Top 30 Wins: USC (26) Losses: ALA (1), IA (11), NW (22) Losses by 14+: ALA Key Players: Joel Stave, Alex Erickson, Tyler Marz, Joe Schoebert, Vince Biegel, Michael Caputo, Darius Hillary, Sojourn Shelton, Dan Voltz Commentary: All losses in 2015 were quality losses, with even the defeat at the hands of Alabama being a competitive game until the Tide pulled away down the stretch. The 2015 offense took a step back from ‘14 with the absence of a high level tailback and with young offensive linemen like Deiter and Benzschawel still finding their way. However, the defense was quite a bit better, allowing them to compete with everyone on their schedule in Coach Paul Chryst’s inaugural season. |
|
|
TEAM #11: 2005
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 10-3 Big Ten Record: 5-3 Strength of Schedule: .658 Big Ten Strength: .651 Computer Power Ranking: .748 Average Points Scored: 34 Average Points Allowed: 24 Top 30 Record: 3-3 Top 30 Wins: MICH (21), MIN (25), AUB (18) Losses: NW (28), PSU (3), IA (27) Losses by 14+: PSU Key Players: Brian Calhoun, John Stocco, Brandon Williams, Joe Thomas, Donovan Raiola, Owen Daniels, Roderick Rodgers, Ken DeBauche, Mark Zalewski Commentary: In Alvarez’s final season, the Badgers notched three top 30 wins while playing a solidly difficult schedule, which vaults them slightly ahead of the 2015 team. The offense was one of the better squads in Badger history, averaging 34 points per game behind a deep group of skill position players, with only a 51-48 loss to Northwestern preventing them from a 9-0 start. One of my favorite bowl experience was leaving the Capital One bowl on a shuttle bus with a horde of Auburn fans, all talking about how Wisconsin was just too fast. |
|
|
TEAM #10: 2021
Coach: Paul Chryst Overall Record: 9-4 Big Ten Record: 6-3 Strength of Schedule: .758 Big Ten Strength: .631 Computer Power Ranking: .734 Average Points Scored: 26 Average Points Allowed: 16 Top 30 Record: 2-3 Top 30 Wins: IA (17), PUR (26) Losses: PSU (27), ND (6), MICH (2), MIN (33) Losses by 14+: ND, MICH Key Players: Braelon Allen, Josh Seltzner, Logan Bruss, Tyler Beach, Jake Ferguson, Keanu Benton, Matt Henningsen, Leon Chenal, Jack Sanborn, Nick Herbig, Caesar Williams, Faion Hicks Commentary: The 2021 squad gets the nod over similar teams from 2005 and 2015 because of the very difficult schedule. There were no bad losses and even though two games were blowouts on paper (14+), both games were in doubt late in the game before things got out of hand. The defense was one of the best in Badger history and they carried an inconsistent offense. With a few breaks here and there (most notably the PSU game which they more or less gave away), they certainly had the potential to be ranked higher, but as we see with other teams, winning matters. |
|
|
TEAM #9: 2011
Coach: Bret Bielema Overall Record: 11-3 Big Ten Record: 7-2 Strength of Schedule: .543 Big Ten Strength: .590 Computer Power Ranking: .788 Average Points Scored: 44 Average Points Allowed: 19 Top 30 Record: 3-2 Top 30 Wins: NEB (26), PSU (30), MSU (18) Losses: MSU (18), OSU (54), ORE (6) Losses by 14+: none Key Players: Russell Wilson, James White, Montee Ball, Nick Toon, Jacob Pedersen, Travis Frederick, Peter Konz, Kevin Zeitler, Rick Wagner, Mike Taylor, Chris Borland, Antonio Fenelus, Aaron Henry Commentary: We are reaching another tier of teams here, where all are unquestioningly better than the teams below them. If you ask casual Badger fans the best team in Badger history, I am guessing that many of them will respond with the 2011 team, in part due to the star power on an offense laden with NFL talent (including guys like Gordon, Abbrederis, and Ewing who did not even make the list above), leading to what is without a doubt the best offense in school history. So, why are they behind a surprising (to many) number of teams? First off the schedule was relatively easy, leading to no victories over any of the top 25 teams. We can talk about the “what ifs” all we want, specifically in terms of losing two games by Hail Mary type plays, but the reality is that they were still losses; losses in which the shaky play of the defense allowed their share of points BEFORE the final deciding plays. I do think this team had the ability to be the best in team history, but ultimately, we can only judge them on the end results. |
|
|
TEAM #8: 2016
Coach: Paul Chryst Overall Record: 11-3 Big Ten Record: 7-3 Strength of Schedule: .737 Big Ten Strength: .599 Computer Power Ranking: .796 Average Points Scored: 28 Average Points Allowed: 16 Top 30 Record: 2-3 Top 30 Wins: WMU (10), LSU (20) Losses: MICH (5), OSU (3), PSU (9) Losses by 14+: none Key Players: Corey Clement, Troy Fumagalli, Ryan Ramczyk, Beau Benzschawel, TJ Watt, Chikwe Obasih, TJ Edwards, Vince Biegel, Sojourn Shelton Commentary: Just a meat grinder of a schedule, opening with LSU and facing three top 10 teams (MI, OSU, PSU) in cross over games. In addition, both Nebraska and Minnesota were just outside the top 30 so those were also quality wins, to go along with the Cotton Bowl win over a good Western Michigan team. Heck, Northwestern and Iowa were winning teams as well. Don’t let the 2 Top 30 wins deceive you, this was one of the toughest schedules over the last 50 years so to manage 11 wins speaks to the quality of the team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Of their 3 losses, all were quality losses in competitive games that could have gone either way and when we talk about teams that could have qualified for a playoff type scenario if things break right, this team was one of them. |
|
|
TEAM #7: 2006
Coach: Bret Bielema Overall Record: 12-1 Big Ten Record: 7-1 Strength of Schedule: .374 Big Ten Strength: .582 Computer Power Ranking: .813 Average Points Scored: 29 Average Points Allowed: 12 Top 30 Record: 2-1 Top 30 Wins: ARK (15), PSU (28) Losses: MICH (6) Losses by 14+: none Key Players: John Stocco, PJ Hill, Travis Beckum, Joe Thomas, Nick Hayden, Matt Shaughnessy, Jack Ikegwuonu, Roderick Rodgers, Allen Langford, Taylor Mehlhaff Commentary: Pretty cool that we have a 1 loss team that can’t crack the top 5, and the reason is pretty simple: the schedule. Other than 1991, this was far and away the easiest schedule played over the last half-century, with only 1 top 10 team (a 14 point loss to Michigan) and only two other top 20 opponents, a narrow win over Arkansas and a sluggest win over #28 Penn State. You can only beat who you play and to their credit, the 2006 team took care of business and nearly ran the table without a ton of resistance. That gets you into the top 10 to be sure, but to get higher, you just need more on your resume. |
|
|
TEAM #6: 2010
Coach: Bret Bielema Overall Record: 11-2 Big Ten Record: 7-1 Strength of Schedule: .555 Big Ten Strength: .607 Computer Power Ranking: .792 Average Points Scored: 41 Average Points Allowed: 21 Top 30 Record: 2-2 Top 30 Wins: IA (26), OSU (6) Losses: MSU (17), TCU (2) Losses by 14+: none Key Players: Scott Tolzien, John Clay, Montee Ball, James White, Lance Kendricks, Gabe Carimi, John Moffitt, Rick Wagner, Kevin Zeitler, JJ Watt, Antonio Fenelus, Aaron Henry Commentary: Probably the second best offense in school history (yes, even before Russell Wilson arrived) with a dominant offensive line, excellent QB play, and 4 yards short of having three 1000 yard backs. The TCU loss gets a lot of guff from Badger fans, and while I agree that in person, Wisconsin did look to be the better team, but that Horned Frog team was very, very good, coming in at #2 in the Howell computer rankings. With a different play result here or there, I think this team would have been in discussion as best team in school history. And, taken with the 2011 team listed earlier, we most likely saw the greatest collection of NFL caliber talent in program history, making some of the close losses in the Rose Bowls, on the Hail Marys, etc. all that more frustrating. You can’t really rank them higher in terms of the final result due to middling schedule, only one top 25 win etc., but if you had to play one game, it would be hard to go against this collection of talent. |
|
|
TEAM #5: 2019
Coach: Paul Chryst Overall Record: 10-4 Big Ten Record: 7-3 Strength of Schedule: .772 Big Ten Strength: .612 Computer Power Ranking: .808 Average Points Scored: 34 Average Points Allowed: 17 Top 30 Record: 3-3 Top 30 Wins: MICH (17), IOWA (18), MINN (21) Losses: OSU (1), ORE (7), ILL (75) Losses by 14+: OSU Key Players: Jonathan Taylor, Quintez Cephus, Cole Van Lanen, Tyler Biadasz, Jake Ferguson, Jack Coan, Chris Orr, Zach Baun, Faion Hicks, Eric Burrell Commentary: When you start looking at the top 10 teams, it all really comes down to a lot of what ifs. In the case of the 2019 team, a fluke loss to Illinois, a heartbreaking loss to Oregon in the Rose Bowl in a game where they were pretty clearly the better team, a blown lead in the Big Ten title game vs. Ohio State, are games in which a different result vaults them into contention for best team in Badger history. However, as I have continually stated, results matter and we are splitting hairs with many of the teams in the top 10. The 2019 team vaults over a few other teams thanks to a very difficult schedule, with 6 top 30 opponents. In addition to their 3 top 30 wins, Michigan State, Kent State, and Central Michigan were also 7-8 win teams. |
|
|
TEAM #4: 1999
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 10-2 Big Ten Record: 7-1 Strength of Schedule: .523 Big Ten Strength: .645 Computer Power Ranking: .795 Average Points Scored: 34 Average Points Allowed: 13 Top 30 Record: 4-1 Top 30 Wins: STAN (30), PUR (25), MIN (22), MSU (5) Losses: CIN (83), MICH (4) Losses by 14+: none Key Players: Ron Dayne, Chris Chambers, Brooks Bollinger, Chris McIntosh, Bill Ferrario, Casey Rabach, Mark Tauscher, Vitaly Pisetsky, Wendell Bryant, John Favret, Jamar Fletcher, Chris Ghidorzi Commentary: The 1999 team is one of the hardest to rank...Rose Bowl Champion, 4 top 30 wins, really good offense, great defense, Big Ten was very good, but NC schedule was terrible, and then we have the bizarre loss to a terrible Cincinnati. While the loss was a fluke (unlucky bounces, horrendous officiating, etc.) it is still part of the resume. We also have to consider the team they were early in the year behind Scot Kavanagh, and the one they became once Alvarez made the move to Bollinger, going 9-0 once the switch was made. Ultimately, their full body of work is very impressive and I am confident they belong here. Just a guess, but I believe Alvarez would say this was his best team by the end of their run, even though that one bad loss drops them behind a couple others in my rankings. |
|
|
TEAM #3: 1993
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 10-1-1 Big Ten Record: 6-1-1 Strength of Schedule: .644 Big Ten Strength: .628 Computer Power Ranking: .828 Average Points Scored: 30 Average Points Allowed: 16 Top 30 Record: 3-0-1 Top 30 Wins: OSU-tie (5), UCLA (14), MICH (15), IND (26) Losses: Minn (67) Losses by 14+: none Key Players: Lamark Shackerford, Mike Thompson, Yusef Burgess, Reggie Holt, Jeff Messenger, Darrel Bevell, Brent Moss, Terrell Fletcher, Lee DeRamus, Michael Roan, Joe Rudolph, Cory Raymer, Joe Panos Commentary: While (I think) Alvarez might say the 1999 team was his best, it is hard to argue with the 1993 team being the most impactful. Looking back, it is somewhat surprising that there was not more elite NFL level talent here. The team was made up of a lot of really, really good college players, many of whom had a quick taste of the NFL, but not nearly the impact that the ‘99, ‘10, ‘11, etc. teams had. Like the ‘99 team, you have to figure out what to do with that Minnesota loss (again, one of those games, this one more turnover related), but I think you can argue that they were better than anyone on their schedule, as many of us recall how happy Ohio State was to get out of Madison with a tie on a blocked potential game winning field goal. While this team is not #1 in my rankings, I think many Badger fans will tell you that they will always be #1 to them. |
|
|
TEAM #2: 1998
Coach: Barry Alvarez Overall Record: 11-1 Big Ten Record: 7-1 Strength of Schedule: .545 Big Ten Strength: .616 Computer Power Ranking: .854 Average Points Scored: 32 Average Points Allowed: 12 Top 30 Record: 3-1 Top 30 Wins: UCLA (9), PSU (15), PUR (18) Losses: MICH (12) Losses by 14+: MICH Key Players: Mike Samuel, Ron Dayne, Cecil Martin, Chris McIntosh, Casey Rabach, Aaron Gibson, Matt Davenport, Tom Burke, Jamar Fletcher, Bob Adamov, Kevin Stemke Commentary: Like the ‘99 and ‘93 teams, the 1998 team finished the year with a Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl victory. What elevates them ahead is that lack of a slip-up (the closest being a 4 point win over #62 Indiana). No, the schedule wasn’t the toughest but they beat everyone they should have beat, did it it convincing fashion behind a great defense and the best individual defensive season I have seen from a Badger (Tom Burke and his Big Ten record 22 sacks), and had enough big game wins to give them a computer power ranking slightly higher than some of those teams with similar resumes. No, they weren’t the most talented team on the list but in terms of results, they were better than almost all. (I think this also speaks to the greatness of Ron Dayne, who elevated this team more than any one player has elevated any other IMO.) |
|
|
TEAM #1: 2017
Coach: Paul Chryst Overall Record: 13-1 Big Ten Record: 9-1 Strength of Schedule: .738 Big Ten Strength:.650 Computer Power Ranking: .899 Average Points Scored: 34 Average Points Allowed: 14 Top 30 Record: 5-1 Top 30 Wins: FAU (24), MIA (14), NW (16), IA (17), MICH (26) Losses: OSU (4) Losses by 14+: none Key Players: Conor Sheehy, Chikwe Obasih, TJ Edwards, Garret Dooley, Nick Nelson, D’Cota Dixon, Alex Hornibrook, Jonathan Taylor, Troy Fumagalli, Michael Deiter, David Edwards, Beau Benzschawel, Rafael Gaglianone Commentary: While a surprising choice to some, the metric say it isn’t even all that close. 13 wins (9 in the Big Ten) against one of the toughest schedules in school history, 5 top 30 wins, easily the best computer power ranking, the only loss being a tight game against top 5 Ohio State, being dominant in basically every win, good offense, great defense...what else can you say other than many fans don’t realize it. I will also go on record as saying this team belonged in the CFP. I realize the timing of their loss along with the SEC bias of the process prevented them from getting in, but on paper, they were without a doubt one of the best 4 in the nation. While the playoffs remains a difficult proposition for schools like Wisconsin, the 2017 team showed that it is possible when a terrific team comes together. You just need a little bit of luck to go with it. |
|
