Aug. 31, 2005

2004 Record: 9-3 (6-4 Big Ten)
Head Coach: Barry Alvarez. Record at Wisconsin: 108-70-4, Career Record: same
Starters Returning: Offense 5, Defense 4, Special Teams 2

When first-year Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner joined the Big Ten Conference fraternity of coaches for the first time, he came face-to-face with his muse. Explaining his inspiration for the upcoming season, Hoeppner waxed proudly about the book he keeps on desk, "From Red Ink to Roses," which chronicles the university's emergence from financial trouble to Rose Bowl champion under Badger coach Barry Alvarez. In three years, he took the team to its first winning season in a decade, tapping off the rise to glory with a Rose Bowl victory in 1993. He built a dynasty in Madison, with Wisconsin joining Ohio State and Michigan as the only teams in the league to earn 10 bowl berths in the last 12 season and Alvarez joined the ranks of Big Ten coaching elite, becoming the 10th coach in conference history to win 100 games at one school.

But Hoeppner didn't get the complete version. As Alvarez enters his 16th season at the helm of the Badgers, he rewrote the script for a surprise ending, announcing he's ready for his final act. Alvarez will retire his head coaching position to defensive coordinator Bret Bielema at the end of the 2005 season to give full attention to his duties as Wisconsin athletic director. While Alvarez prepares to leave the sideline spot that helped propel the program from the Big Ten basement, he faces another crucial task in rebuilding a team that some critics think is on the verge of reverting to its former self.

Although expectations outside of Camp Randall aren't as high as usual, senior Matt Bernstein said his team won't settle for anything less than a successful season to close the book on the Alvarez era. "There's pressure every week," Bernstein said. "To win for him, to win for everyone in the state, to win for 80,000-plus fans sitting in Camp Randall. It's a test ever Saturday to play. For coach Alvarez's final year, it's something we want to do, it's motivation for us to win. We want him to go out on top. He's a great coach. There's nothing he really doesn't do. I guess that's pressure enough, but we can handle it."

The first step is renovating an offense that averaged 328 yards and 21 points per game last season. When the rushing crew surrendered to injury and lack of depth in 2004, the spotlight shined on the passing game, which allowed opposing offenses to focus on it. The Badgers' air attack of 167 yards per game slipped to last in the league in passing offense. The biggest offseason addition to the Badgers' offense hopes to bring the perfect remedy. Paul Chryst, a former Wisconsin quarterback and tight end who worked under Alvarez as recently as 2002, will take over as tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator. In his two seasons at Oregon State, Chryst's passing offenses ranked sixth and seventh in the nation.

Chryst's biggest obstacle is getting junior quarterback John Stocco consistent enough to carry the offense. Stocco passed for 1,999 yards and nine touchdowns, but he made some rookie mistakes in his first year as a starter. Chryst's dynamic air schemes should boost quarterback play, and with a year of starting experience, Stocco should be ready to make playmaker decisions. Pushing Stocco will be sophomore Tyler Donovan, whose only game time last season featured his running ability. Donovan ran for 117 yards and his scrambler-first, passer-second style will give the Badgers' a good change of pace.

While Stocco tries to compensate for a gap in reliability, the loss of Anthony Davis creates a gaping hole in the backfield. Enter Colorado transfer Brian Calhoun. The Milwaukee native rushed for 810 yards with the Buffaloes two seasons ago. After a redshirt season to learn the Badgers' offense, Calhoun is ready to show off his speed and talent. He is also a Badgers' track star, and has clocked a 4.29 in the 40-meter dash. Next in line at tailback is junior Booker Stanley, whose short-but-powerful runs will be counted on to move the chains in long drives. Fullback Matt Bernstein is touted as one of the best in the country. A surprisingly agile power back who rushed for 300 yards and picked up 68 more on nine catches, Bernstein's blocking ability will be invaluable to this ground crew.

The receiving corps is well-stocked at the top with seniors Brandon Williams, Jonathan Orr and tight end Jason Pociask returning. A three-year starter, Williams earned All-Big Ten prestige with a 42-catch, 517-yard campaign last year. He has the wheels and acrobatics to carry the play well after the catch. Orr made 13 grabs for 177 yards as a top reserve in 2004, but he hopes to regain the fire he had during his freshman year when he led the Badgers in receiving yards, yards per catch and touchdowns.

The undisputable staple in an Alvarez team is usually its strapping offensive line. With only two of five starters returning, this offensive front has to jump the experience hurdle in a hurry to rekindle rushing success. Left tackle Joe Thomas and senior center Donovan Raiola, the veteran pair, are physical forces, prepared to guide a group of green lineman. Thomas, a former tight end and another track athlete, has quick feet and colossal size that make him an uncompromising pass blocker. He allowed only 1.5 sacks in 2004. Raiola is a three-year starter with plenty of Big Ten accolades to show for his sound blocking ability. Joining them are a pair of seniors at guard in Matt Lawrence and Jason Palermo. Both have spent time on special teams and reserve duty, but neither has started. The tackle spot wide open between two sophomores and a redshirt freshman, but Kraig Urbik, a 6-foot-6, 317-pound titan, has the athleticism to take it.

The NFL raided the Badgers' defensive line, signing four former frontline stars, including All-American Erasmus James, to the pro ranks after graduation. But Bielema isn't worried about rebuilding the defense that finished ninth in the nation and sixth in scoring defense. He is confident his four new faces have enough talent to consistently break into the backfield and wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Junior Joe Monty returns the most experience at defensive end. He started twice last season and counted 18 tackles and two sacks. Sophomore Jamal Cooper will play opposite Monty. Cooper saw time in all 11 games and was voted the team's defensive rookie of the year. Filling the interior will be sophomores Juston Ostrowski (6-foot-5, 304 pounds) and Nick Hayden (6-foot-5, 302 pounds). The sizeable duo will make up for their lack of experience with monstrous power and athleticism.

The Badgers are also missing four starting defensive backs from the No. 7 pass defense in the nation - also stripped by the NFL. To add to the question marks hovering over Wisconsin secondary, starting corner Brett Bell is returning from a torn ACL. Bell tied for the team lead with 10 deflected passes. Opposite Bell is senior cornerback Levonne Rowan, another speed sensation with great size (6-feet-1, 191 pounds) who saw time during every game of 2004. He also started nine times as a sophomore. Junior Roderick Rogers has a mountain to climb in reaching the standards set by all-time Badger marvel Jim Leonhard at free safety. Rogers hasn't started a single game but has seen enough special teams playing time to become an immediate asset.

Linebacking corps should be the sweet spot of the Badger defense. Senior Dontez Sanders, a former safety, returns with junior outside linebacker Mark Zalewski. Both are formidable pass rushers with blazing movement. Sophomore Andy Crooks took over the starting job in the middle midway through his rookie season, and he made 38 stops and one sack. Although there isn't much depth, there also isn't a huge talent drop-off from the starters and their reserves.

The kicking situation has been difficult for Alvarez lately. Sophomore Taylor Melhaff will try to ease his coach's fear, taking over for the departed Mike Allen, whose compiled a 12-for-21 mark last season. Melhaff booted 18 touchbacks while handling kickoff duties, but hasn't seen any game time as a place-kicker. Replacing the magic Leonhard brought to the return game with a 12.7-yard return average will be difficult for Williams, whose limited action could only grant the Badgers a spot as the 102nd kickoff-returning team in the country.

The Badgers face a tough adversary to open the season with Mid-American Conference leader Bowling Green heading to Madison. They host another tough opponent in Michigan to open the Big Ten season, and meet the other defending co-conference champion, Iowa, at home, as well. If the Badgers can create a terrific home stand, they will surely be in the title hunt.

Alvarez knows the final chapter is closing on his coaching career, but he said he has no reason to think this team has any less potential than the other great successes of the Alvarez era. "I really like the makeup of this football team," he said. "We've got a lot of new faces, but we have a lot of seniors and guys who have played a lot of football. We also have a lot of very productive veterans who will do a good job of leading this new group. I like teams that are hungry and have to prove to themselves. We weren't satisfied with last year. I think our players are hungry and really anxious to prove some things."