It's almost time for Badgers football once again and another sign that we're getting close to football season is the annual release of the USA Today Preseason coaches poll.
After a breakout second half of last season for running back Braelon Allen, the Wisconsin Badgers seem primed for a better season in 2022 and coaches across the country have the Wisconsin Badgers ranked 20th in this year's preseason poll.
At the top of the poll is the Alabama Crimson Tide, unsurprisingly. They're followed by Ohio State and the reigning national champion Georgia Bulldogs. Other Big Ten teams in the Top 25 include Michigan (6) and Michigan State (14).
The Badgers fell just short of the Top 25 at the end of last season even with their win in the Las Vegas Bowl. The expected improvement from QB Graham Mertz along with a full season of Braelon Allen leading the backfield leads to optimism that the offense will improve in 2022. There's also a solid group of transfers the Badgers have that are expected to help replenish a defense that saw a number of players leave for the NFL this past spring.
It's just preseason but the Badgers are back in the Top 25 and they'll be looking to climb some more once the season gets going. First game on the schedule is September 3rd against Illinois State.