Wisconsin football

I've been so wrapped up in the Brewers that I've all but abandoned the upcoming football season.

But no longer. There's a lot going on in preseason for the Badgers. I'll get more in depth in another post, but first let's do some quick hits.

*Sophomore Garret Graham got a chance at some playing time at TE this week when Travis Beckum sat out and took advantage of the opportunity. Apparenlty Graham made some rather spectacular catches, prompting Bret Bielema to look at Beckum and say "Travis who?"

With his speed (4.68 in the 40) Graham looks to be a serious alternative to Beckum, who will get some serious defensive attention.

* Many people forget that Travis Beckum had a breakout year last year not because of his numbers ( 61 passes for 903 yards), but because until last season, he was a linebacker, then a defensive end. This article talks about that switch, as well as many others.

*This is a must-read. It's Madison.com's daily UW camp blog. Lots of great details here - from which guys leave plays with injuries to who has the best catch and best hit. Great stuff.

*This is from one of the student papers, The Badger Herald, discussing the team's transition from dark horse to having a target on their back.

*The Sporting News' preview article

*SI.com's feature on P.J. Hill, discussing his smaller frame (down 16 lbs.) and how he can avoid being worn down by the end of the season (you know, not running into - and over - people so much) that feature's this sentence: "Following that 12-1 campaign in Bielema's rookie year as head coach, the Badgers are viewed as darkhorse national title contenders with a few glaring questions on offense..." Well, OK THEN!

Also, make sure you read the 2nd page of the article for 3 observations on the season - including the QB contest.

Make sure you read the 3rd page for some interesting tidbits and discussion of last year's abysmal punt/kickoff team.

*This article from the Chicago Tribune website is from a series profiling all the Big Ten teams. It makes two interesting points early on:

" Tailback P.J. Hill's only other scholarship offers came from Indiana, Syracuse, Vanderbilt and Buffalo.

Linebacker Jonathan Casillas chose Wisconsin over Connecticut.

Receiver Luke Swan walked on after playing his high school ball in tiny Fennimore, Wis. The recruiting site Rivals.com gave him one star, its lowest designation."

and

" Just like the Badgers can play with anyone in the country. Over the last three seasons, only five teams—USC, Texas, Auburn, Boise State and Louisville—have more victories."

*ESPN.com's opening Power Rankings have Wisconsin at 10

*This article dismisses the preseason's big names and stories in favor of a few guys you haven't heard of, what he calls "Saturday's secret agents" - including Wisconsin WR Paul Hubbard

*BigTen-Fans.com has a full preview of each of the teams. Wisconsin's is here.

* Recruiting Planet's preview

*SIonCampus.com's Mascot Power Rankings have Bucky at 6. I personally think that's low. Can we BlogPoll this?

*This is Sunday Morning Quarterback's Big Ten Prediction. He has Wisconsin at 3 (or, you know, 2a. Basically, not one and somewhere between 2 and 4.)