Are the Badgers Good Enough in College Football now?

Are the Wisconsin Badgers good enough for NCAA College Football now?

Securing an accurate reading on the University of Wisconsin Badgers hasn't been easy this season, particularly for those poll voters who haven't seen the team in person.

Two issues have made it difficult for observers to get a feel for UW (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten Conference), ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press poll and No. 18 in the USA Today poll.

First, UW has played just one team currently ranked in the polls, the Michigan Wolverines, and it is possible that number won't change until the bowl game.

Second, several Big Ten teams have reshaped their rosters with young players and are typically struggling. The league is very strong at the top but weaker at the bottom than in past seasons.

''I think we're a good team,'' senior offensive tackle Joe Thomas said recently. ''But we still have a lot of room to improve and that is the exciting thing. We have a huge upside. We've played really good games lately but we still can play a better game.''

UW appears to be a legitimate top 15 today. If the Badgers continue to improve and win they will have a legitimate chance to finish in the top 10 because they'll likely face a higher-ranked team in their bowl game. The 14-point loss in the Big Ten opener at Michigan revealed UW's potential and that loss looks even better almost five weeks later. Michigan (8-0, 5-0) has climbed to No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series standings, behind No. 1 Ohio State (8-0, 4-0), a team UW has the misfortune of missing this season.

Michigan's front seven on defense is the best in the Big Ten and could be the best in the nation. The Wolverines have difference-makers on all three units and tailback Mike Hart gives them the ability to control the clock in a tight game if needed.

As well as UW has played in its current four-game winning streak, outscoring its opponents by a combined 165-41, the fact UW was within striking distance of Michigan in the fourth quarter should tell voters what they need to know about this team.

Here are some odds from Bodog on who will win the NCAA College Football BCS Championship:

Oklahoma Sooners 6/1

USC Trojans 8/1

Texas Longhorns 8/1