2003: 7-6 overall, 4-4 Big Ten (T-7th)
Coach: Barry Alvarez 99-67-4 in 14 years at the school
Returning starters: 19; 9 offense, 8 defense, kicker, punter
Players to watch: RB Anthony Davis (682 yds., 116 att., 7 TD), OT Joe Thomas, OG Dan Buenning, C Donovan Raiola, WR Brandon Williams (49 rec., 649 yds., 1 TD), DT Anttaj Hawthorne (4 sacks, 20 TFL), DE Jonathan Welsh (8 sacks, 11.5 TFL), CB FS Jim Leonard (7 interceptions)
Hot topics: The Badgers return all of their starters on both lines, boast a marquee tailback in Anthony Davis, a ball-hawking safety in Jim Leonard and a new quarterback, John Stocco, who brings a major league arm (drafted by the Twins) to the position.
Cold facts: So why isn't Wisconsin considered any more than a dark horse contender? For one, the Badgers appear snakebitten. After a 6-1 start, they lost four of their last five games last season by a total of 21 points. Davis must prove he can stay healthy. The defense needs to replace the nearly 200 tackles it got from departed linebackers Jeff Mack and Alex Lewis.
Overview: In high school, Stocco got to throw the ball to Larry Fitzgerald. If Davis stays healthy, Stocco could be handing off to another Heisman Trophy candidate. If Davis can handle the workload, the Badgers will probably be in the race for the long haul. He played less than a half in three games last season, all losses.
--Jon Spencer
Originally published Wednesday, September 8, 2004
