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Wisconsin Football head coach Paul Chryst addresses preseason buzz

By Tanner Nestle

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers hugs Dare Ogunbowale #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers after a game against the USC Trojans at the National University Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 30, 2015 in San Diego, California. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the USC Trojans 23-21. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Paul Chryst of the Wisconsin Badgers hugs Dare Ogunbowale #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers after a game against the USC Trojans at the National University Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 30, 2015 in San Diego, California. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the USC Trojans 23-21. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Paul Chryst was on the Jim Rome Show Thursday and broke down how he handles the preseason hype surrounding the Wisconsin Football program.

Paul Chryst is the head coach of one of the most popular teams in America. His Wisconsin Badgers are anticipating what could be a top-five ranking to start the season, and the highest ranking to start a season since the 1950’s.

Juggling these expectations while still getting a team prepared to meet said expectations is a tough task. But Coach Chryst is up for it.

Jim Rome asked Chryst on his show how he’s handling all of the buzz around his Badgers, like the offensive line being featured on a recent cover of Sports Illustrated. Check out Chryst’s answer below.

Chryst’s response was as predictable as could be, given what we know about his laid-back approach to the game. After speaking for a moment about how cool the experience was for the offensive linemen Chryst immediately began talking about how there is still work to be done to meet the lofty expectations for the team.

While some may say it’s “coach speak” to talk about unfinished business and how preseason polls mean nothing, I think it’s easiest to believe a coach like Paul Chryst when he says it. That’s part of why Badger fans love him and why he’s such a great fit for the program. The culture that Wisconsin has and the culture that Chryst brings fit together perfectly to form one of the most consistent programs in the country.

The Badgers are going to be a trendy pick to make the College Football Playoff as their road through the Big Ten West is lacking major competition again. There are more difficult crossover games this year, most notably at Michigan and at Penn State, but the road to Indianapolis is Wisconsin’s to take. A win in the Big Ten Championship is the final hurdle to breaking through to the championship tournament at the end of the year.

Next. Ten reasons Wisconsin Football is overlooked. dark

For the Badgers to get to the College Football Playoff Paul Chryst needs to do exactly what he did in his interview with Jim Rome. Temper expectations, focus on what matters and ensure his team is having fun along the way. But that’s not difficult for him. It’s exactly what he already does day in, and day out.