Because most likely at the end of the season poll, the only ranked team we would've beaten would be from the bowl game. I don't see higher than a 5-6 spot jump between the end of season and the preseason poll which would put us in the 13-15 range.Why not? After we murder some ranked Big 10 team in a bowl we will finish the season somewhere around 18-22. Next season, with hype at a max and us returning almost everyone I see us starting the season 8-12.
