First Look: Wisconsin Badgers
If you want to find a grossly under-appreciated football team, look no further than Madison, Wisconsin. Since 2004, the Badgers have gone 40-11 and played in FOUR straight New Years Day bowls against SEC opponents (UW went 2-2). What more does this program have to do to prove its national worth? Because of some really dumb BCS rules, Wisconsin was left out of the at-large picture in 2006, even with its 11-1 record and an upset of Arkansas in the Capital One Bowl. Under Coach Bret Bielema, Wisconsin is looking more like the Badgers of the ‘90s. Hopefully for them, those ‘90s Rose Bowl wins will come again soon, too.
1. An ideal succession -- There hasn’t been a smoother transition from one coach to another than at Wisconsin. Barry Alvarez will go down as one of the game’s all-time great head coaches, and it looks like another one will follow right after. Bret Bielema seems to have actually improved the football program overall since Alvarez left in 2005, going 21-5 his first two campaigns and two January bowl games. Granted, it will take a lot for Bielema to bypass Alvarez in terms of career accomplishments, but he’s at least on the right track. Bielema is committed to maintaining Wisconsin’s smash-mouth style of football (which doesn’t mean “slow,” SEC fans), and one can argue there’s no need to change anything in the future.
2. The “‘backs” are back -- Under Alvarez, Wisconsin had been known for running the ball right down your throat, but the last few seasons of his tenure, production began to dip at the position. Then came in Brian Calhoun who blew up for more than 1600 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in 2005. No one was sure what would happen once Calhoun declared early for the NFL. Frosh running back PJ Hill quelled any anxiety, rumbling for 2781 yards the past two seasons. In 2008, the Badgers will lean on his talent more than ever with the departure of senior quarterback Tyler Donovan. Allen Evridge transferred from Kansas St. (was beat out by Donovan in ’06), and has some experience in Bielema’s system. But with guys like John Clay, Lance Smith and Zach Brown, don’t be surprised if Wisconsin uses a full three-deep running back rotation in ’08.
3. It’ll be a rockin’ Camp Randall -- Playing at Michigan, then home against Ohio State and Penn State in three straight weeks will give even the toughest teams headaches. Fortunately for Wisconsin, it’s tough enough to at least get through two of those games. I really doubt 3-0, but anything is possible when your team plays in one of the wildest environments in all college football. Other games to watch for will be at Fresno State, Michigan State, and at home against an Illinois team that upset the then-No. 5 Badgers in 2007. Wisconsin hasn’t gone undefeated in Big Ten play in, well, a really long time, and I don’t see 2008 being any different. However, getting through with only one conference loss, and Wisconsin could land itself in a BCS game.
Next week’s First Look: Michigan Wolverines (Homecoming)
-First Look: Purdue Boilermakers
-First Look: Illinois Fighting Illini
-First Look: Temple Owls
-First Look: Syracuse Orange(men)
-First Look: Oregon State Beavers
-First Look: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
