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[lawrence-newsletter]Preseason rankings always act as an important piece of the puzzle that is figuring out reasonable expectations for a program from the perspective of fans. National 247Sports recruiting writer Chris Hummer recently released the 247Sports preseason top 25, which was voted on by a number of 247Sports national writers. The Badgers came in as the third Big Ten team listed.
Wisconsin was ranked as the No. 10 team in the nation, coming in behind Big Ten opponents Ohio State and Penn State in the rankings. Here is what Hummer had to say regarding the Badgers in 2020:
“The defense will be there for Wisconsin in 2020 with nine starters returning off one of the best units in the country. The departures of Zack Baun (19.5 TFL) and Chris Orr (14 TFL) hurt, but the Badgers have always been a linebacker factory – Jack Sanborn is your next All-American candidate at the position. Offense is where the questions arise. Jonathan Taylor is one of the best backs in college football history. He’s irreplaceable. His backup, Nakia Watson, averaged nearly two fewer yards per carry than Taylor last season. Expect Wisconsin to have a committee approach replacing Taylor this year. It doesn’t help the Badgers that the interior of their o-line departs. Still, quarterback Jack Coan is back and the Badgers have generally been at worst solid on offense. Coan needs to continue playing super-efficient football (69.6 CMP%) while upping his production a bit in Taylor’s absence. Wisconsin’s 2020 title hopes will largely be determined by a three-game stretch between Sept. 26-Oct. 10: at Michigan, vs. Notre Dame, Minnesota.”
Ohio State was ranked as the top team in the country, while Penn State came in at No. 5. Michigan and Minnesota entered in at No. 17 and No. 18 respectively. Wisconsin was listed as the Big Ten West favorite as they should be headed into the 2020 season.