12/8/09
Ron Dayne, Michael Bennett, Anthony Davis, Brian Calhoun, P.J. Hill...when does the line of great college running backs ever end for Wisconsin? The long-standing tradition won't end any time soon with John Clay in the backfield. Both the league coaches and the media voted Clay as the Offensive POTY in 2009. While other RBs across the country were reeling in post-season awards, nominating committees everywhere forgot about the nearly 1,400 rushing yards of the then-sophomore sensation. As an added bonus for the upcoming season, the blockers responsible for paving the way are all back in fold, every one of them. Linemen Carimi and Moffitt, both soon-to-be seniors, were also honored as All-Conference players. The passing game isn't going to keep too many defensive coordinators up at night worrying, but this latest version has a chance to be rather formidable with veteran Scott Tolzien behind center and a deep group of underrated receivers catching his passes. The front seven on defense has played a major role getting head coach Bret Bielema back on the winning track, while the 66th-ranked pass defense should be much improved with three starting DBs back. The Badgers are a sleeper team in the Big Ten, much like Iowa was this past season. If the defensive line can be secured for continued production with new faces, fans in Madison could be in store for a 2010 encore, which ultimately spells (more than) nine wins.