{image1}Two weeks ago, I wrote a column about the potential for a long holdout by Packers wide receiver Javon Walker. The day after I wrote it, Walker reported to camp on time. Last week, I wrote a piece stating that the 2005 Brewers season -- though successful -- was very unlikely to end in the playoffs. Hopefully, the Brew Crew will prove me wrong there, too.

Prognosticating, as someone once said, is for idiots. But sportswriters make a habit (and sometimes a living) out of it. This week, I've decided to plunge even deeper into the idiotic abyss, making a couple sweeping predictions (though some are merely suggestions) that run counter to most of what you've been reading or seeing in the local press.

Stocco Will Start: John Stocco began his first year as a starter by winning his first nine games. Despite that, many people think Barry Alvarez should start Tyler Donovan at quarterback this year, despite the fact that he's never started a game at this level. Why? Because Stocco was inconsistent last year, and the Badgers lost their final three games. Forget that; Stocco will start. I'll hedge my bets by saying that if he doesn't, he should.

Yes, Stocco's accuracy needs to improve. But it was first year as a starter! Are we so impatient? And was last year really that bad? Let's face it, the Badgers could easily have been 7-2 or 6-3 instead of 9-0, and Stocco deserves much of the credit for those extra victories (witness the drive he led to cut Purdue's lead from 10 to 3, for just one example). Michigan State nearly hung 50 on UW to end the perfect season. Was that Stocco's fault?

Obviously, we don't know what Donovan can do. He may turn out to be a very good quarterback. But Stocco should still start, and he most likely will. Expect Donovan to get some live reps, but the Badgers will be a better team with Stocco at the helm.

UW Will Crack the Top 25: The Badgers may not reach No. 4 in the nation this year, but they'll be better than early indicators might suggest. Bret Bielema's defense is now in its second season and should challenge last year's productivity. As mentioned, Stocco should improve, and he has an experienced group of receivers to throw to. Local product Brian Calhoun will continue the team's tradition of excellent running backs. A Big 10 title isn't likely, but it's foolish to write this team off as a .500 or worse bunch in August.

Stop Panicking About the Pack: I've never loved the overbearing Packers coverage in this town, and reading about Green Bay's first scrimmage game in Saturday morning's paper only reiterated that dislike. Bills dominate! Guard play up in the air! Rodgers struggles!

Over 62,000 showed up to watch a glorified practice, so it's no wonder the writers covering it took the proceedings a bit too seriously. But can we settle down for a second? My sense is that two guys will figure out how to play guard adequately in Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle's stead. Will they be a downgrade? Maybe, but the season won't sink because of that fact.

And let's give Jim Bates and his new defensive system just a little time. I'll go out on a limb and say the defense cannot be worse than last year's was. In fact, I'll guarantee it. I don't care how many first downs it gave up in the first scrimmage game.

Last year at this time, the local scribes were hanging B.J. Sander in effigy. But punting woes didn't affect the 2004 Packers, despite all the doomsday columns about kicking in Lambeau Field in December. And -- surprise -- Sander is the starter this year. Anyone want to bet he'll be fine, too?

The Brewers Will Win More Games Than the Nationals: I've been saying this privately for weeks, and it actually doesn't run counter to my column of last week (which stated the Crew wasn't likely to make the playoffs). The Brewers will finish ahead of the Washington Nationals in the N.L. wild-card race. Currently, the once 50-31 Nats are just six games above breakeven while the Brewers (prior to Monday's game) sit at exactly .500. Even if the Brewers sputter in September, which it looks more and more like they will not, they'll finish ahead of Frank Robinson's bunch. And when the Nats finish with 79 wins, I wonder how much airtime analysts on ESPN will give them.

How many games will the Brewers win? On that question, I am content to wait and find out. But probably more than I thought at this time last week.