It's a word that makes University of Wisconsin men's track and field coach Ed Nuttycombe cringe and blush at the same time:

Dynasty.

The term certainly applies to the Badgers, who are seeking to write another chapter when the three-day Big Ten Conference outdoor meet begins today in Champaign, Ill.

UW not only is looking for its record fifth consecutive outdoor crown, it is seeking a fifth straight triple crown: conference championships in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track in the same school year.

"I realize we've had a good run at it and hopefully it lasts one more week," Nuttycombe said. "But I think when you're a coach who's realistic, you look at it one at a time. And what we've done the last number of years, this weekend literally means nothing."

That tone of caution is understandable given the circumstances.

For the first time this decade, the Badgers seemingly lack a marquee lineup. No Chris Solinsky, who won five NCAA titles and 11 All-America citations. No Demi Omole, who won 11 Big Ten championships and was a six-time All-American. No Len Herring, who won nine Big Ten titles and was a six-time All-American. No Matt Tegenkamp, a seven-time All-American.

Despite a very young lineup — 30 of the 34 athletes making the trip this weekend are underclassmen — UW won the indoor title in March in part because the meet was staged at the Camp Randall Memorial Sports Center.

"I think that was a huge advantage for us," Nuttycombe said of his team's 25-point win over Purdue.

Now the Badgers will try to replicate that feat at the Illinois Track Stadium.

James Groce, a junior from Milwaukee, said the current team is more blue-collar than star power.

"We have a group of young guys that's willing to get out here and work and fight and scrap for every point we can get," he said. "We're going to work hard for it, because we know the person next to us won't give it to us."

Groce figures to be one of the standard-bearers. Fresh off winning the 600 meters indoors, he will run the 400 and run the lead leg in the 400 and 1,600 relays.

Sophomore Brandon Bethke, who won the 3,000 and 5,000 indoors en route to winning Big Ten Athlete of the Meet, is expected to be another major contributor.

Two others — junior Matt Withrow and sophomore Ryan Gasper — have the top times in the Big Ten in the 10,000 and the 3,000 steeplechase, respectively.

Groce said the key for UW, especially given its young lineup, is trust in one another.

"Just make sure that you do your little part," he said. "Know your role and don't try to go out of your role."

Nuttycombe, the winningest coach in any sport in Big Ten history with 24 league titles, expects Michigan, Purdue and Minnesota are the prime contenders to unseat the Badgers.

"I think the difference this year from previous years (is that it) took 145 points to win last year and I don't think any of the teams — ourselves included — can score that number of points," Nuttycombe said. "I think it's going to be more in the 110- to 120-point range and that brings in a lot of other teams (into the equation).

"I dread the day when I have to stand up here in front of you and say we're not one that can win. I hope that doesn't happen in the near future."