Wisconsin football stands at No. 20 in the preseason Coaches Poll

The Wisconsin Badgers are once again represented in the preseason USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll which dropped on Monday.

The Wisconsin Badgers football team will open up the 2022 college football season ranked inside the top 25 of the AFCA Coaches Poll once again, as the team lands at No. 20 in the preseason rankings. 

The news of Wisconsin landing in the annual poll comes on the heels of the team's first full football practice open to media members, as the Badgers prepare for their home opener against Illinois State on September 3. 

At this time last year, the Badgers came into the season as the No. 15 school in the country according to the Coaches Poll and finished just outside the top 25, with the 27th most votes in the nation. 

Hey @BraelonAllen, any idea where the Badgers rank in the preseason coaches poll? pic.twitter.com/VQhteelq2C

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) August 8, 2022

The weekly poll is voted by 65 head coaches across college football, including Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst, who is one of the voters this season.

The Badgers are the fourth team from the Big Ten to make the preseason list, with Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State also making the cut. You can see where each team from the Big Ten Conference fell below:

• No. 2 Ohio State
• No. 6 Michigan
• No. 14 Michigan State
• No. 20 Wisconsin

Iowa (No. 26 based on voter points), Penn State (No. 27), Minnesota (No. 33), and Purdue (No. 40) were all in the 'other team's receiving votes' category.

Here is how the rankings broke out by conference:

1. SEC (six teams)
2. ACC (five teams)
3. Big Ten (four teams)
4. Big 12 (four teams)
5. Pac 12 (three teams)
6. AAC (two teams)
7. Independent (Notre Dame)

Workin' on the weekend like usual pic.twitter.com/YUAcyQBfkz

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) August 6, 2022

Wisconsin went 9-4 a year ago and will look to make a run at another Big Ten West crown, a feat the team has missed in the past two seasons. The Badgers will face two ranked opponents, based on this preseason list, as Wisconsin will head to Ohio State (No. 2) and Michigan State (No. 14) this season. 

Nationally, Alabama enters the year as the overwhelming favorite, earning 54 of the possible 65 first-place votes, with Georgia (6) and Ohio State (5) the other trendy first-place selections. Interestingly Texas also received a first-place vote, though the Longhorns are just ahead of the Badgers at No. 18 overall. 

You can see the entire USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll below:

1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. Clemson
5. Notre Dame
6. Michigan
7. Texas A&M
8. Utah
9. Oklahoma
10. Baylor
11. Oklahoma State
12. Oregon
13. North Carolina State
14. Michigan State
15. USC
16. Pittsburgh
17. Miami
18. Texas
19. Wake Forest
20. Wisconsin
21. Kentucky
22. Cincinnati
23. Arkansas
24. Ole Miss
25. Houston

🔔DING DONG🔔@Juicebe11 with the snag. pic.twitter.com/WByICrDKC8

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) August 8, 2022

Related links:

• Safety John Torchio previews his senior season with the Wisconsin Badgers
• Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard talks about the depth at safety
• Cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat discusses his cornerback room

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