When Badger fans looked at the 2001 schedule, they earmarked the Wisconsin-Oregon game as a game that could make or break the season.
Most experts predicted a crushing loss by the Badgers, which would lead to a mediocre Big Ten season. Some even felt that a bowl was a remote possibility.
Following a 31-28 defeat at Eugene, Ore., to the Ducks, there is a completely different atmosphere surrounding the Wisconsin squad.
With an offense and defense that grew up over the weekend, the Badgers proved that the talent level has not dropped off with 27 of 60 scholarship players leaving after last season.
Though there are things that need to be worked on, specifically an abysmal 2-14 performance on third-down conversions, hope springs eternal from positions that were vacated by veterans.
True freshman Scott Starks played well replacing former Badger Jamar Fletcher in just his second game in college. The freshman from St. Louis, made his first interception of his career off of Heisman Trophy candidate Joey Harrington and had seven tackles last Saturday.
If you think you are seeing Fletcher, Yyou are not that far off. Starks wears the same No. 2 jersey that Fletcher wore when he patrolled the secondary for the Badgers.
In addition, Starks also attended the same high school as Fletcher, and both coaches and players have seen similar mannerisms to the two-time All-American.
On the offensive side of the ball, tailback Anthony Davis rushed for 130 yards on only 13 carries to lead the Badgers' rushing attack.
In addition to Davis' play was the emergence of freshman wide receiver Darren Charles, who hauled in a 13-yard touchdown pass on a strike from quarterback Jim Sorgi.
Perhaps the biggest reason that Head Coach Barry Alvarez is so optimistic is his offensive line.
The front five performed well, giving holes for Davis to run through and time for Sorgi to set and throw in rhythm.
Though there are growing pains associated with three new offensive linemen, they are correctable mistakes.
'When somebody goes 100 miles per hour and makes a mistake, it's a lot better than someone walking around and making a mistake,' center Al Johnson said. 'You can live with a guy flying around, hitting somebody. You can correct the mental part of it.'
But the most impressive statistic may be zero, as in zero penalties.
That statistic is especially impressive given the surroundings in which they played, as Autzen Stadium is notorious for wreaking havoc on offensive lines and their ability to work as a unit, to which any Pac-10 team can attest.
If this young team can perform like it did Saturday for the Big Ten season, a Big Ten title is not out of the question.
