Bielema likes the new playoff system

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema sounded excited to be a part of college football history with the advent of a four-team playoff that will replace the BCS model beginning with the 2014 season.

Doing the simple math, though, he expressed the one obvious concern that is shared by all of his fraternity brothers in the coaching profession. There is a concern, you ask?

"Yeah, if I'm No. 5,'' he said, grinning. "Everybody used to talk about the No. 3 and No. 4 teams that didn't get to play for the championship. Now they're going to be talking about No. 5 and No. 6.

"I think it's probably legit to say that every year you're going to have teams that can play the excuse game on why they should be there.

"But to have four teams that will have a shot to win it all now is really cool.''

The Rose Bowl will not only be part of the six-bowl rotation for the two semifinal games, but it will be locked into a 4 p.m. (CST) kickoff on Jan. 1 through 2026 (Jan. 2 if New Year's Day is a Sunday).

The Tournament of Roses also announced Thursday that the Rose Bowl would continue to honor a Big Ten/Pac-12 matchup in those years that it's not playing host to a national semifinal.

That type of stability and/or continuity is priceless, Bielema pointed out.

"Of course, we're all a little biased,'' he conceded. "I've been there as a player and a coach. I know the Rose Bowl is a sacred, hallowed ground for college football, especially for the Big Ten.''

The new system will render polls virtually meaningless in their current form, thereby eliminating what has always been a healthy source of debate and controversy for fans, players and coaches alike.

The preseason polls, in particular, were problematic; especially from Bielema's viewpoint. The Badgers were off the radar in 2006, his first season; yet fought all the way back to a No. 5 final ranking.

"I was a new head coach with a new team and people had questions,'' he recalled. "But we finished 12-1 and I felt like we were a BCS (bowl) level team (that had to settle for something less).

"I've always been in favor of ranking teams later in the year because you have a chance then to truly find out who has good teams -- and it's not based on just good projections.''

College football is expected to adopt the NCAA's basketball model for a selection committee, which would include a collection of current athletic directors and league commissioners.

That would eliminate the importance of two BCS staples: the USA Today Coaches Poll and the Harris Poll. There have been reports, too, that the tweaked system will rank teams by tiers; another notable departure from the past.
Let's hope Bucky can make it in to the playoffs. 

Is a playoff system coming to college football?

It was college football’s version of Band of Brothers.
The sport’s top decision-makers, 15 strong, stood together on a podium in the Camelot Room of the InterContinental Chicago Hotel late Wednesday afternoon.
“The fact we’re all here together,” SEC commissioner Mike Slive said, “is an important statement.”
Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick made the announcement: “We are on the threshold of creating a new postseason structure for college football.”
A group previously known for jousting over the complex issues surrounding a seeded four-team playoff achieved a consensus and will present its ideas Tuesday in Washington to the BCS Presidential Oversight Committee.
The playoff would start in 2014.
Details of the plan were not made public. Slive said commissioners want to inform school presidents and athletic directors, as opposed to having them “read it in the paper.”
One source, though, said the commissioners will recommend the creation of a selection committee to choose teams. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany probably will not get his way on the “hybrid” model of three conference champions and a wild card, but a selection committee would be charged with favoring teams that win a conference title and challenge themselves in the nonconference schedule.
Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott has stood with Delany on the issue. He agreed that forming a selection committee could be an important step toward enhancing “the value of regular-season play.”
There’s consensus on using rotating bowls (Rose, Sugar, Fiesta and Orange — for now) to host semifinal games, with the championship game to be bid out like the Super Bowl. And Delany and Scott are satisfied the Rose Bowl’s value will be upheld; it is slated to host a semifinal game and a Big Ten-Pac 12 showdown in alternate years.
Several issues still need to be worked out, including dates of the games, the criteria a selection committee would use and revenue sharing.
Scott cautioned it’s “unlikely that every ‘i’ gets dotted and every ‘t’ gets crossed” next week in Washington.
“But I’m hopeful that on some main concepts we get the green light,” he said.
Delany said details don’t need to be hashed out until negotiations with TV partners begin in September or October.
Bottom line, this group of 11 conference commissioners, two assistants, Swarbrick and BCS executive director Bill Hancock found unity on the matters that really count.
“The biggest change,” Hancock said, “is when the commissioners realized that they could preserve the importance of the regular season and have a playoff, that let them go down the road to considering how to do a playoff.”
Camelot, according to Wikipedia, is viewed by scholars as “being entirely fictional, its geography perfect for romance writers.”
What took place Wednesday not only marks one of the final steps in a historic change for college football.
It was real
It would be great to see a playoff system. 

Russell Wilson is a Badger

Summer temperatures are rising throughout the Midwest, and with Russell Wilson now a Badger, Wisconsin especially can look forward to more heat.

In a press conference Tuesday, UW football head coach Bret Bielema expressed his excitement for what his new quarterback’s presence on campus will mean for the team.

“He’s very dedicated, very serious, on task with everything he does,” Bielema said. “I’ve learned that over the last couple of months, recruiting him and talking with him. I’m very excited to have him in our program.”

Bielema is confident Wilson will have a quick transition into Wisconsin’s style of play. While learning the playbook and terminology will take some time, getting to know the team and meshing with his new teammates will be the biggest challenge for Wilson.

“Once he gets on campus, our players will be the best coaches,” Bielema said. “He learns things very quickly, not only graduating in three years at N.C. State, but also I think it’ll carry over into the football field”

“N.C. State’s version [of football] and Paul Chryst’s version are two totally different things,” Bielema added. “Football language takes on a unique environment in each place that you go to. The transition will go quicker than you think, but the biggest challenge will be in the locker room, getting to know guys for the first time.”

Some of the first players Wilson will interact with will be the rest of the quarterbacks, most notably redshirt sophomore Jon Budmayr, who was previously anticipated to be under center this fall.

With Wilson now on the team, Budmayr told Bielema it “wasn’t going to change the way [he] prepares for this upcoming season.”

Bielema, meanwhile, is looking forward to the competition Wilson’s presence should foster at the position.

Can you say BCS Championship Game my fellow Badgers Fans?   GO BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012 recruiting class looking goof

The impressive start to the University of Wisconsin football team's 2012 recruiting class has yet to make a big splash on the national scene.

Blame that on its consistent success over the years, despite recruiting classes that rarely finish in the top 25 nationally.

"I don't really care how Wisconsin is recruiting — is the easiest way I can put it," said Scott Kennedy, the national director of scouting for Scout.com." They're going to be good.

"They've got a system in place right now where they are as good at evaluating talent as there is. They do a great job of developing those players and getting players they know they're going to keep for four or five years and winning big."

Still, its been an enticing thought for Badgers fans: What if you took that same proven system and plugged in a higher caliber of recruit at the start?

While it's early in the process, UW coach Bret Bielema has a chance to do that with his seventh recruiting class.

The Badgers have five oral commitments and four rate four stars (out of five) on Scout.com's rating system: offensive tackle Kyle Dodson from Cleveland Heights (Ohio) High School; quarterback Bart Houston from De La Salle in Concord, Calif.; guard Dan Voltz from Barrington (Ill.); and outside linebacker Vince Biegel from Wisconsin Rapids.

The other recruit, running back Vonte Jackson from Kenosha Bradford, rates three stars.

Lets hope a BCS game is a every year thing.  GO BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another solid running back?

Tuesday afternoon, the Wisconsin Badgers’ offense seemed to be rounding into shape. The shape, at least, expected as the end of spring practice approaches.

On the second play of the first-team scrimmage, quarterback Jon Budmayr dropped back, faked a handoff to running back James White and let rip a high-arching balloon of a toss down the left sideline. Budmayr — known especially for his strong arm — would go on to overthrow a few balls this practice, and this one was no different.

Yet, fullback Bradie Ewing kept pace with the ball, and just when it was within reach, he extended his left arm and hauled it in. The lefty, one-handed grab was the first of two impressive catches for Ewing Tuesday, and it was arguably the highlight of the entire practice.

Now a senior, Ewing has made just that kind of impression as a Badger. He’s consistently there, doing his job — he played in 38 of a possible 39 games his first three years — but he might not be noticed during the process. That, as the history of football has proven, is typically the life of a fullback. Line up in front of the tail back and behind the quarterback, make your blocks and don’t mess up. If the ball’s thrown to you, catch it.

Lets hope we see him scoring a touchdown in a BCS bowl game.  GO BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohio State finishes better than Wisconsin, WHAT???

The University of Wisconsin football team is still looking up at Ohio State.

The Badgers beat the Buckeyes, earned a share of their first Big Ten Conference title in 11 years and advanced to the Rose Bowl this past season.

Still, Ohio State was the top-ranked Big Ten team when the final polls were released on Tuesday.

The Badgers (11-2) finished seventh in the Associated Press media poll and tied for eighth with LSU in the USA Today coaches' poll. The Buckeyes (12-1) — whose only loss was to UW 31-18 on Oct. 16 — were fifth in both polls.

UW has finished behind Ohio State in the final polls in each of the last six seasons. The last time the Badgers were ranked ahead of the Buckeyes was after the 2004 season.

It was the highest finish for UW in the polls since the Badgers were No. 5 in the coaches' poll and No. 7 in the media poll after Bret Bielema's first season as coach in 2006.

Since 1993, UW has had five Top 10 finishes. In addition to 2006 and '10, the Badgers were fifth in the coaches and sixth in the AP after the 1993 season; sixth in both polls in '98; and fourth in both polls in '99.

I still can't believe that the Badgers lost to TCU.  I was depressed for days.  Let's hope we can return to Pasadena next year and beat Ohio State again.  GO BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Badgers are looking for the Rose Bowl

If there was ever a week to go 1-0, this is it.

Wisconsin is 10-1 and just needs a win this Saturday against 7-4 Northwestern to assure itself a share of its first Big Ten title since 1999. And depending on how two other conference games shake out, the Badgers could feel quite flowery by game’s end.

UW’s game starts at 2:30 CT, with co-Big Ten leaders Ohio State and Michigan State playing at 11. If the Badgers win, a Spartans loss gives the Badgers the conference’s automatic BCS berth to the Rose Bowl, while a Buckeye upset at the hands of Michigan sends MSU to Pasadena. If all three teams win out and finish 11-1, 6-1 in conference play, the highest-ranked squad in the BCS — almost certainly Wisconsin — gets the bid.

The results of the other two games will be featured on the Camp Randall scoreboard, so there’s no keeping the Badgers from knowing exactly what could be on the line during their game.

“We’re not going to ask the scoreboard people to keep it off the board, so it just kind of comes as it is,” UW head coach Bret Bielema said. “I think the part that’s nice for us all going into this week is we’re already in a situation where if we just handle our business, take care of what we’re supposed to, whatever happens on Saturday outside of Camp Randall is in other people’s hands. We’ll just handle our own.”

A Rose Bowl bid for the Badgers would be awesome.  GO BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wisconsin Has 3 regular season games left

Wisconsin football head coach Bret Bielema discussed both his team's 34-13 victory over Purdue this past weekend, as well as the Badgers' (4-1 Big Ten, 8-1 overall) upcoming contest against Indiana during his weekly press conference Monday.

Bielema awarded this week's offensive MVP to sophomore running back Montee Ball, who saw increased action after junior John Clay and sophomore James White suffered injuries.

 Ball was instrumental in the Badgers' victory, racking up a career high 127 rushing yards while scoring two touchdowns.  

"Can't say enough about Montee and what he did … getting himself prepared and stepping in when John [Clay] went down in the second half," Bielema said. "Montee was really special."

The defensive MVP was awarded to a pair of juniors: cornerback Antonio Fenelus and defensive tackle Patrick Butrym.

 Fenelus was the Big Ten co-defensive MVP of the week, racking up nine tackles and icing the game with an interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Butrym, meanwhile, dominated the trenches all game long, recording five tackles.

"[Butrym] probably had the best game in his career to this point," Bielema said. "He just really did a nice job getting off blocks and making plays."

Bielema indicated he was excited to return home this week, realizing how long it had been since the Badgers' last home game-a victory over then-No. 1 Ohio State.

As Bielema reflected back on that game against the Buckeyes, he realized how big of a factor the crowd was in the team's victory, especially the student section. On their last road trip, Bielema stated that it was always a little disheartening to go to different venues and see other student sections filled an hour before the game even started. Bielema then issued a challenge to all UW students.  

"Anything we can do to encourage students … If we can get the student section going, I think it would be a very special thing to close out the rest of the year," Bielema said.

Bielema realizes that every game from here on out is critical in the Badgers' run to a possible BCS bowl game, and that run will start this weekend against Indiana.

Indiana (0-5 Big Ten, 4-5 overall) comes into this week's game having just lost an 18-13 nail-biter over No. 16 Iowa. Indiana is an explosive offensive team, ranking 11th in the nation in passing yards per game. That offense is led by senior quarterback Ben Chappell, who ranks first in the Big Ten in both passing yards and completions.

"Chappell has a great ability to throw all kinds of passes," Bielema said. "It's a very difficult preparation. He doesn't get sacked very often because if he does get pressured he's not gonna take that sack, he's gonna get rid of the football. It's a difficult preparation for us."

This will be the 57th meeting between Wisconsin and Indiana, with the Badgers leading the series 36-18-1 overall and 20-8-1 in Madison. Wisconsin has won five of the last six at Camp Randall Stadium.

Lets hope Bucky can keep on rolling.  GO BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Badgers prepare for Iowa

In head coach Bret Bielema's weekly news conference Monday, he addressed some of the keys in the victory over  No. 1  Ohio State, as well the team's preparation for this week's game, and battle for the Heartland Trophy against Iowa.

Bielema began press conference by giving thanks to those who support the team off the field.

"I just wanna say thanks to all the people who were in Camp Randall on Saturday, especially our student section," Bielema said. "I thought, coming out of the tunnel, there was a huge difference, and I really thought they [the fans] were into it the whole game, and the way we started it you'd think to believe it had an effect on our players as well."

Bielema also gave recognition to his players.

"In that game you can't give enough recognition to guys that made things happen."

The Badgers' offensive MVP honors went to junior running back John Clay and freshman running back James White. This dynamic duo of power and speed combined for 179 rushing yards and three touchdowns against a team who had not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 29 games.  The offensive line also received recognition for this dominant running performance, especially senior tackle Gabe Carimi and senior guard John Moffitt.

The Badgers' defensive MVP was spread around as well.

 Senior linebacker Blake Sorensen was one who received high regards. Sorensen totaled up ten tackles for the Badgers, as well as an interception to all but end the game.

Junior defensive end J.J. Watt also received recognition. Watt was in quarterback Terrelle Pryor's face all night, and had four tackles, three of which were for loss, including a pair of sacks.

The last defensive MVP was junior cornerback Antonio Fenelus.  Fenelus played solid coverage all night, breaking up a pass and recording six tackles.

The special teams MVP this week went to return man David Gilreath, who electrified the Camp Randall crowd, returning the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Gilreath also earned conference honors as special teams player of the week.

Bielema realizes though that the team's focus now needs to be on the next oponent at hand.

"[Iowa is] a very talented football team that is playing very, very well," Bielema said. "A lot of the same keys to victory against Ohio State, at least offensively, will be very, very similar."

 Iowa, 5-1 iscurrently ranked No. 15 in the BCS standings, and is coming off a 38-28 victory over Michigan. In that game, senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi completed 17 of 24 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns, all of them to senior wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. Despite this vaunted pass offense, Bielema expects to see a strong dosage of the run game from Iowa.  This mostly comes from the success of sophomore running back Adam Robinson, who averages 4.8 yard per carry and has eight touchdowns.

This game between the Badgers and the Hawkeyes will be their 86th meeting, with Iowa leading the series just slightly, 42-41-2. But good news for Badger fans. Wisconsin has won seven of the last 13 meetings.  This game will be just as big for the Badgers as the game against Ohio State because if the Badgers lose, they can likely say goodbye to a possible BCS bowl and a chance at a Big Ten conference title.

Lets hope Bucky can keep it rolling.  GO BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wisconsin's Rushing Defense Proves to be the Best

As much as the dynamic game of football has evolved since its creation, one simple strategy has remained a constant on every level of play: run the ball to control the game.
While running back John Clay continues to make a case for Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, the Wisconsin defense understands perfectly well how vital it is to put opposing running backs on lockdown.
The Badgers have claimed the top rushing defensive unit in the Big Ten and much of the team’s success this season can be attributed to having not allowed any conference opponents to reach 100 yards of rushing offense in a game.
“We’re very proud of that. It’s something we feel like is a measure of toughness in a game,” defensive coordinator Dave Doeren said. “Our guys take a lot of pride in being accountable for each other and it shows that they’re measuring up to it.”
With the final Big Ten game against Northwestern approaching, Wisconsin could become the first team to prevent all of its Big Ten opponents from reaching 100 rushing yards in one season since Ohio State did so in 1988.
It would sure be nice to have the Badgers finish 10-2 and win thier bowl game. It would help recruting in the off season to potentially get them back to a BCS bowl. GO BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!