Photo by: David Stluka
Badgers popular in “Way-Too-Early Top 25” polls
January 11, 2022 | Football
UW comes in as high as No. 9 in early rankings
MADISON, Wis. – Though the 2021 season just ended last night, it's never too early to look ahead to next season. In that vein, a number of publications and websites have published their "Way Too Early Top 25" rankings and the Badgers are once again very highly thought of.
On3.com – 9th
"RB Braelon Allen will be the offensive focal point, and he's good enough to lead the nation in rushing in 2022."
KSLSports.com – 10th
"Graham Mertz returns at quarterback and Braelon Allen looks poised to be the next great Badger running back."
Athlon Sports – 12th
"Rising star running back Braelon Allen powers the offense after recording 1,268 yards as a true freshman in '21."
Bleacher Report – 12th
Saturday Blitz – 15th
"The defense will be elite and Braelon Allen looks like the next great Wisconsin back."
Sports Illustrated – 17th
"The Badgers tend to reload defensively instead of rebuild, and running back Braelon Allen is a star in the making."
The Athletic – 19th (subscription)
"Freshman Braelon Allen (1,268 yards) emerged as the Badgers' next great running back, and Chez Mellusi (815 yards) will return from injury."
CBS Sports – 19th
"The Badgers righted themselves nicely after a 1-3 start to win seven in a row."
Pro Football Network – 20th
"Running the football is the top priority for the Badgers, and handing the ball off to a back like Braelon Allen is a luxury most programs don't possess."
ESPN.com – 24th
"To compete in the Big Ten West in 2022, they're going to have to rebuild a defense that led the FBS in total defense (239.1 yards) and run defense (64.8 yards)."
On3.com – 9th
"RB Braelon Allen will be the offensive focal point, and he's good enough to lead the nation in rushing in 2022."
KSLSports.com – 10th
"Graham Mertz returns at quarterback and Braelon Allen looks poised to be the next great Badger running back."
Athlon Sports – 12th
"Rising star running back Braelon Allen powers the offense after recording 1,268 yards as a true freshman in '21."
Bleacher Report – 12th
Saturday Blitz – 15th
"The defense will be elite and Braelon Allen looks like the next great Wisconsin back."
Sports Illustrated – 17th
"The Badgers tend to reload defensively instead of rebuild, and running back Braelon Allen is a star in the making."
The Athletic – 19th (subscription)
"Freshman Braelon Allen (1,268 yards) emerged as the Badgers' next great running back, and Chez Mellusi (815 yards) will return from injury."
CBS Sports – 19th
"The Badgers righted themselves nicely after a 1-3 start to win seven in a row."
Pro Football Network – 20th
"Running the football is the top priority for the Badgers, and handing the ball off to a back like Braelon Allen is a luxury most programs don't possess."
ESPN.com – 24th
"To compete in the Big Ten West in 2022, they're going to have to rebuild a defense that led the FBS in total defense (239.1 yards) and run defense (64.8 yards)."
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