First time in Badger history that the football team has won 10 games in 3 straight seasons. Just when his recruits are starting to hit.

Just saying.

Also helps when the season keeps getting longer and longer. And Barry completely had to build this program from the ground up, BB got handed a program that was pretty highly regarded.

Just saying.

Alvarez would have played 2 or 3 teams that are better than Michigan State to get his 10 wins.

Macha Man wrote:Also helps when the season keeps getting longer and longer. And Barry completely had to build this program from the ground up, BB got handed a program that was pretty highly regarded.

Just saying.

Barry was there a long time, and never had 3 straight 10 win seasons

10-3
11-2
10-2 as of now.

Given the fact that the BCS is bullshit, our expectations are higher than should be. We have a great program there.

shirt wrote:Alvarez would have played 2 or 3 teams that are better than Michigan State to get his 10 wins.

Big Ten really was pretty bad this year. No great teams, but plenty of bad/horrible teams in Indiana, Minnesota, Illinois the 2nd half, Northwestern. I'd argue pretty much every team in the conference besides Michigan State and Wisconsin were average, but look better because they're going up against other average teams every week.

medicalgary33 wrote:

Macha Man wrote:Also helps when the season keeps getting longer and longer. And Barry completely had to build this program from the ground up, BB got handed a program that was pretty highly regarded.

Just saying.

Barry was there a long time, and never had 3 straight 10 win seasons

10-3
11-2
10-2 as of now.

Given the fact that the BCS is bullshit, our expectations are higher than should be. We have a great program there.

BECAUSE of BA. BB is an average coach. He is good at recruiting, gets a lot out of his guys, but he isn't anything special imo.

average coach in terms of in game coaching, maybe. But he is not an average coach. Recruiting is a big part of college coaching and he has done a great job of getting Wisconsin type guys, similar to Bo Ryan. He also has instilled the 1-0 philosophy that the players seem to embrace.

Sure, BB is no Urban Meyer or Nick Saban, but he is overall an above average coach. In the Big Ten, I'd only take Michigan St or Northwestern over him maybe. BB recruits better than Fitzgerald (though Northwestern is a difficult sell) and he does a better job than Dantoino of keeping his players emotions in check.

Alverez has raised the expectations of the program, and I think Bielema has kept those expectations high. In the past we would not be disappointed over a possible 2nd consecutive rose bowl birth, where as now I know some people are.

59-18 career record for coach B, time to start giving him the benefit of the doubt.

c3raig wrote:average coach in terms of in game coaching, maybe. But he is not an average coach. Recruiting is a big part of college coaching and he has done a great job of getting Wisconsin type guys, similar to Bo Ryan. He also has instilled the 1-0 philosophy that the players seem to embrace.

Sure, BB is no Urban Meyer or Nick Saban, but he is overall an above average coach. In the Big Ten, I'd only take Michigan St or Northwestern over him maybe. BB recruits better than Fitzgerald (though Northwestern is a difficult sell) and he does a better job than Dantoino of keeping his players emotions in check.

Alverez has raised the expectations of the program, and I think Bielema has kept those expectations high. In the past we would not be disappointed over a possible 2nd consecutive rose bowl birth, where as now I know some people are.

59-18 career record for coach B, time to start giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Well put. They way the team responded to back to back losses, heart breakers at that, was great. They are playing phenomenal ball right now.

medicalgary33 wrote:They are playing phenomenal ball right now.

They played a great game against Penn State. They were absolutely horrible the first half against Illinois, and pretty good the 2nd half (still not great thought).

medicalgary33 wrote:

c3raig wrote:average coach in terms of in game coaching, maybe. But he is not an average coach. Recruiting is a big part of college coaching and he has done a great job of getting Wisconsin type guys, similar to Bo Ryan. He also has instilled the 1-0 philosophy that the players seem to embrace.

Sure, BB is no Urban Meyer or Nick Saban, but he is overall an above average coach. In the Big Ten, I'd only take Michigan St or Northwestern over him maybe. BB recruits better than Fitzgerald (though Northwestern is a difficult sell) and he does a better job than Dantoino of keeping his players emotions in check.

Alverez has raised the expectations of the program, and I think Bielema has kept those expectations high. In the past we would not be disappointed over a possible 2nd consecutive rose bowl birth, where as now I know some people are.

59-18 career record for coach B, time to start giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Well put. They way the team responded to back to back losses, heart breakers at that, was great. They are playing phenomenal ball right now.

I guess you haven't been watching the same team I have. One week they look like the best team in the country, the next they look like a middle of the pack big-ten team.

B1G post-signing day Power Rankings
By Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett

The Big Ten recruiting classes are signed and sealed, and although a few more recruits could come aboard, we have a good idea of what the rosters will look like heading into the 2012 season.

That means it's Power Rankings time. Again.

We're taking a post-signing day look at where the league stacks up. There aren't too many changes from our previous rundown, but some teams received a bump from strong recruiting classes.

As they say on Twitter, #legooo.

1. Michigan State: The Spartans' recruiting class didn't crack ESPN's top 25, but it features several strong prospects and is loaded up at wide receiver and defensive back. Mark Dantonio tells us he can't remember recruiting 10 athletes like the ones Michigan State added in the class. Michigan State already is one of the Big Ten's most athletic teams, so this bodes well for the Spartans as they look for another big season.

2. Michigan: Brady Hoke and his staff rode a fast start to 2012 recruiting and finalized a class ranked No. 7 nationally. The Wolverines started three freshmen on defense in 2011 and added several more who can contribute early in their careers, including linebacker Joe Bolden, cornerback Terry Richardson and defensive tackle Ondre "Pee Wee" Pipkins. If Michigan can maintain its momentum on defense after losing several stud linemen, it will be very tough to beat in 2012.

3. Ohio State: Urban Meyer announced himself with a superb recruiting class featuring arguably the nation's best crop of defensive line prospects. Ohio State would have been an improved team in 2012 after its first seven-loss season since 1897, but the recruiting class boosts the Buckeyes even more. The defensive front seven should be a deeper and stronger unit, and players like Noah Spence, the Big Ten's top-rated recruit, have a chance to contribute immediately.

4. Nebraska: The Huskers missed on their top signing day target (offensive lineman Andrus Peat) but still inked a solid class that should help at positions like linebacker, where Big Red lacked size and depth. Linebacker Michael Rose could contribute early in his career. Nebraska also addressed the departure of standout cornerback Alfonzo Dennard with talented juco addition Mohammed Seisay.

5. Wisconsin: Quality not quantity was the theme for Wisconsin, which signed only 12 players, the Big Ten's smallest class by five recruits. The Badgers lost two offensive line commits to other schools but added a decorated quarterback in Bart Houston and some solid players to the defensive back seven, including linebacker Vince Biegel. This is the type of season that will test Wisconsin's ability to reload and provide a true gauge of the program's progress under Bret Bielema.

6. Penn State: New coach Bill O'Brien and his staff had to scramble to keep the class together, and the 2012 recruiting haul didn't quite match what Penn State adds in most seasons. The coaches were able to keep some good prospects and fulfilled a need at wide receiver with Eugene Lewis and others. It'll be interesting to see how quarterback Steven Bench turns out after Penn State lost verbal commit Skyler Mornhinweg to Florida.

7. Purdue: The Boilers added speed in their 2012 class, and they loaded up on quarterback prospects for the future with four signal-callers. But Purdue also beefed up along the offensive line with Jordan Roos and others. With coaching changes and personnel changes throughout the Leaders Division -- not to mention Ohio State's bowl ban -- Purdue has an excellent chance to make some noise in 2012.

8. Iowa: The big story in Iowa City isn't so much the recent recruiting class but the seismic changes going on in one of the nation's more stable programs. After having the same coordinators for the past 13 seasons, Kirk Ferentz must replace both Norm Parker and Ken O'Keefe, who left late last week for a post on the Miami Dolphins' staff. Iowa will have new leadership on both sides of the ball, creating some uncertainty but also some excitement. The Hawkeyes added some nice pieces in the 2012 class, such as running back Greg Garmon and defensive end Faith Ekakitie.

9. Northwestern: Although the Wildcats' class didn't crack the national rankings, it looks like the best haul in Pat Fitzgerald's tenure as head coach. Northwestern picked up a potential difference-maker on defense in defensive end/linebacker Ifeadi Odenigbo. Malin Jones could be the team's answer at running back, a spot that has suffered during Fitzgerald's tenure. The Wildcats also added the league's top transfer in former USC receiver Kyle Prater.

10. Illinois: It might take a year for Tim Beckman and his staff to make a big splash on the recruiting scene. Illinois' 2012 haul didn't receive great reviews, but the Illini are pursuing several nationally elite 2013 prospects from within the state. Linebacker recruits Tajarvis Fuller and Tyrone Neal should help Illinois in the defensive back seven. There's enough talent on the squad to get back to a decent bowl, but Beckman and his staff have plenty of work ahead.

11. Minnesota: The Gophers inked a class that drew good reviews from ESPN's analysts. Jerry Kill and his staff retained several top in-state prospects, including offensive lineman Isaac Hayes, wide receiver Andre McDonald and quarterback Philip Nelson. McDonald and fellow wideout Jamel Harbison could be immediate contributors for an offense that needs more options. But defense must be the top offseason focal point for Minnesota, which added several juco defenders.

12. Indiana: Although the Hoosiers remain at the bottom, we liked their recruiting class, which should first and foremost provide immediate help on defense. Junior college defenders like Tregg Waters and Jacarri Alexander likely will step in right away for a struggling unit. Indiana also will increase the competition at quarterback with heralded prep prospect Nate Sudfeld and juco addition Cameron Coffman.

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/tag/_ ... e-rankings

MSU with the top recruiting class in b10, how the hell did that happen?

dusters wrote:MSU with the top recruiting class in b10, how the hell did that happen?

That was a power rankings for the conference done after signing day, not a power rankings of recruiting classes. Michigan and Ohio State had clearly the best 2 recruiting classes.

Macha Man wrote:

dusters wrote:MSU with the top recruiting class in b10, how the hell did that happen?

That was a power rankings for the conference done after signing day, not a power rankings of recruiting classes. Michigan and Ohio State had clearly the best 2 recruiting classes.

The article doesn't make the very clear.

"The Big Ten recruiting classes are signed and sealed, and although a few more recruits could come aboard, we have a good idea of what the rosters will look like heading into the 2012 season.

That means it's Power Rankings time. Again."