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Wisconsin once again has high hopes for 2008

Aug 30, 2008 - 10:12 AM Akron at No. 12 Wisconsin, 12:00 pm EDT

MADISON, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- Wisconsin failed to live up to its 2007 preseason billing as a serious contender to Ohio State in the Big Ten Conference. But the Badgers appear primed to rectify that situation this year.

Third-year coach Bret Bielema and the 12th-ranked Badgers open their 2008 campaign Saturday with a home game against Akron.

The preseason No. 7 last year, Wisconsin started the 2007 campaign in promising fashion, winning its first five games. But the Badgers lost three of their next five contests, a rough stretch capped by a 38-17 drubbing to Ohio State.

Wisconsin squandered a 17-14 lead in that game, as the Buckeyes scored 24 unanswered points to end the Badgers' already fading hope of a Big Ten title. Wisconsin finished the campaign with a 9-3 record, including 5-3 in conference play, before losing to Tennessee in the Outback Bowl.

However, hopes are high once again in Madison, as Wisconsin returns 17 starters - including junior running back P.J. Hill - from last year's squad.

The offense will feature a new starting quarterback in fifth-year senior Allan Evridge and should be centered around the 228-pound Hill, who followed up an breakout freshman season with a solid sophomore campaign in which he rushed for 1,212 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Another offensive star returning for Wisconsin is senior tight end Travis Beckum, who passed up on an opportunity to leave for the NFL following a terrific 2007 campaign in which he hauled in 75 receptions for 982 yards and six TDs.

The Badgers have won 12 straight home openers and figure to extend that run against Akron, which finished with a 3-5 MAC record and a 4-8 overall mark last season.

Wisconsin defeated the Zips, 48-31, in September 2003 in the only previous meeting between the schools.