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| | Thursday, August 31 Badgers 'final answer' could be national title | |||||
| By Jeff Potrykus Special to ESPN.com Wisconsin Badgers 1999 record: 10-2 (7-1 Big Ten) Coach: Barry Alvarez Returning starters: 16 (8 offense, 8 defense) Outlook Despite the fact Alvarez must replace Dayne, the '99 Heisman Trophy winner, and five other quality starters, talk of the school's first national championship is running rampant through Madison. True, there are playmakers on offense, defense and special teams and the depth is acceptable at most positions. However, several questions must be answered. Will junior Michael Bennett, who has yet to start a game, flourish at tailback? Can the coaches find a dependable backup for Bennett? Will the first-year starters at offensive tackle struggle? Who will step in if sophomore quarterback Brooks Bollinger is injured? If the Badgers find the answers, they could indeed contend for that national title. "We've been to two straight Rose Bowls," said junior cornerback Jamar Fletcher, who has intercepted 14 passes in two seasons. "A step down is not acceptable." Keep an eye on ... With Dayne gone, Bollinger becomes the maestro of the offense. He went 8-0 as a starter last season and provided diversity to an offense sorely lacking a change of pace. The coaches have said they will expand the offensive package in 2000 and put pressure on Bollinger to make even more plays. It's a good season if ... Beating Michigan for the first time since 1994 would be a nice start. The players have lofty goals, though. They want nothing less than a berth in the national championship game. Jeff Potrykus covers the Big Ten for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |
ALSO SEE Big 10 preview: A toss-up for title | |||||