Badgers looking forward to this season

Back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances go a long way in building a nationally recognized football brand. But in 2012, the wisconsin football program has the chance to take a final, long-awaited step forward.

After spending years adjacent to the circle that surrounds college football’s “elite” programs, Wisconsin has the opportunity next season to finally anchor itself among the upper echelon of not just the Big Ten conference, but all of college football.

And a Heisman frontrunner coupled with a remarkably deep and talented defense may be just enough to finally bring the Badgers much-deserved validation as one of the conference’s perennial contenders. Wisconsin’s pursuit of becoming an elite program (à la Ohio State) has been a reappearing topic for years — including a recent ESPN college football roundtable — but next season it has the opportunity to capitalize on recent success and establish a spot on the national scene.

Analysts are quick to point out potential issues arising from the exodus of UW coaches this offseason, most notably offensive coordinator Paul Chryst. But the talent returning on both sides of the ball puts Wisconsin in great position for a third-consecutive BCS bowl appearance that could place them firmly among the Big Ten’s best and no longer keep them looming a half-step behind.

This chance at claiming a spot among the country’s best programs begins with one of the most dangerous players lining up in the backfield in all of college football — running back Montee Ball. After piling up simply absurd numbers in 2011 — 1,923 yards and 39 total touchdowns — the senior running back will be the unquestioned centerpiece of the Badgers’ offense next season.

Ball is the rare, once-in-a-decade player who can single-handedly carry the offense as a one-man touchdown machine. Although he’ll have a tough time surpassing the stats he managed in 2011, the senior’s speed and vision out of the backfield alone could earn Wisconsin a couple of victories. Beyond that, Ball’s name staying in the Heisman discussion all season will continue to elevate the image of wisconsin football. Even if Danny O’Brien fails to exhibit the skills through the air he showed as a Maryland freshman in 2010, Ball will be ready to take a starring role in the Badgers’ offensive attack.

Bielema and Chryst get a pay raise

If you have success in the world of college football, more likely than not, you are going to be rewarded for it. For Wisconsin football head coach Bret Bielema, and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst that was the case, as it was announced yesterday that both had agreed to new compensation packages  for the 2011-'12 season. Both coaches will see their pay increase substantially from last season.

Last year Bielema earned a base salary of $400,000, and was able to earn a total of $1,781,759 under the terms of his previous compensation package. The terms of his new 2011 deal stipulate that Bielema's new package will be worh about $2.5 million.

Bielema has a record of 49-16 in his  five seasons at the helm of the Wisconsin football program and led the team to one of their most successful sesasons ever this past year, finishing with an 11-2 record that included a share of the Big Ten conference title for the first time since 1999, and a trip to the Rose Bowl where they fell to TCU, 21-19.

With Chryst controlling the offense, the Badgers had the most prolific offensive season in school history. They set program records for points scored, points per game and rushing touchdowns. The offense averaged 41.5 points per game, which ranked tops in the Big Ten and fifth in the country, as well as ranking 21st in the nation in yards per game with 445.2.

After the season, Chryst's name came up in the conversation for several job openings around the country, including an intervie with Mack Brown for the offensive coordinator position at the Univeristy of Texas. Though, Chryst said before the Rose Bowl that he is happy at UW.

With a new deal in place, he should be even happier. Chryst will see his base salary jump from $305,000 to $405,000 under the teams of his new contract.

The money for these pay raises will be coming from unrestricted gifts in the UW Founadtion.  

The two new compensation packages still have to be approved by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. The board next meets on Feb. 10 and 11.

I think it is well deserved.  GO BUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!