Wisconsin begins spring practice armed to defend Big Ten West title

Wisconsin has proven itself to be one of the most consistent teams in the Big Ten for years. And as the 2017 season approaches, there is little reason to believe the Badgers won't continue their astonishing run of success.

While preseason ballots won't be placed until July, it's a good bet many pundits will pick Wisconsin as the favorite to win the Big Ten West. If that prognostication holds true to form during the season, it would mark the fifth time in the past seven years that the Badgers appeared in the Big Ten championship game.

Badgers coach Paul Chryst enters his third season in charge and, at 21-6 overall, he already has established himself as one of the best coaches in the league.…