The future of the 2006 Badgers looks good - if you wait to look at them until next November. I just think the second half of the season is stacked too high against them.

With the mid-way mark of the current season coming up over the next 2 days, I thought I’d take a look at some of the top teams, and their possible Big Ten records at the end of February. Keep in mind that these predictions have been made while trying to ignore my biased hatred towards the rest of the league.

The records: W-L (Coaches Poll Ranking)

1.) Illinois 12-4 (8)
2.) Michigan 11-5 (15)
2.) Iowa 11-5 (16)
3.) Michigan State 10-6 (20)
4.) Indiana 9-7 (25)
4.) Wisconsin 9-7 (-)
4.) Ohio State 9-7 (-)

Yes, I have Illinois winning the conference. They won’t lose at home, and will more than likely lose 2 of their last 5 road games (4 of those against the top of the conference). Fortunately, this is the last year Bruce Weber has Bill Self’s recruits. So next year, they’ll be back to sucking.

Michigan has a fairly tough schedule down the stretch, but I just don’t see them losing more than 3 of those games. I can’t believe I’m not picking Michigan to blow it.

Iowa actually has a better chance to close out the season closer to Illinois than Michigan, but I’m giving them a 2nd place tie… cuz I felt like it.

Michigan State will lose 3 more games. I think that’s fair, although my dad thinks they’re going to win out. That’s just crazy talk. They lose at Iowa and Indiana and also drop one of their last two home games.

Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio State will tie for 4th place. This isn’t terrible for Wisconsin, as they were picked to finish out of the top 5 to start the season - and that was WITH Stiemsma, Landry, and Williams on the team.