Wisconsin - Bowling for Roses
The University of Wisconsin enjoyed a one of their best seasons ever, and the best in recent memory this past year. They complied an impressive 11-2 record that included a 10-1 Big Ten mark. Their only blemish was a tough road loss to Michigan State in the conference opener. After that devastating loss, the Badgers reeled off a remarkable seven straight victories, which was highlighted by an epic upset victory over number one ranked Ohio State. The Badgers ended up in a three way tie for the Big Ten Title, splitting the title of conference champions with Michigan State and Ohio State. However, the Badgers were the team out of the Big Ten selected to play in the BCS Rose Bowl, the most prestigious Bowl for the Big Ten, excluding a national championship. It marked the first time the Badgers had made the trip to Pasadena since they were triumphant over Stanford in the 1999 Rose Bowl. The Badgers laid their seven game winning streak on the line against a loaded Texas Christian (TCU), lead by future second round pick, QB Andy Dalton. The Badgers lost a nail bitter, 22-19, as TCU middle linebacker Tank Carter batted down a Scott Tolzien pass to end the Badgers hopes for the game tying two point conversion attempt. Wisconsin now looks to take those lessons learned in the Rose Bowl loss into this season, where they look to again compete for a Rose Bowl bid and this time, are looking to win it. At the conclusion of the season when people started to look towards the following year, expectations could not be greater for Wisconsin football. Or could they?
The 2011 Badgers will have a little different look to them than the 2010 team. Arguably the Badgers biggest loss was quarterback Scott Tolzien. He was a machine who operated the offense to perfection for Wisconsin. He simply did not turn the football over, and that is exactly what Wisconsin needed. Heading into spring ball the expectations were already set high for Wisconsin, despite the fact that there were questions at the quarterback position. Flash forward to mid June. Russell Wilson, a three year starter at North Carolina State declared that he was going to transfer to Wisconsin to play out his senior season, forgoing a chance to play in the Major Leagues. Suddenly expectations for Wisconsin skyrocketed. Now the Badgers were not only Rose Bowl favorites, but they also are national title contenders.
The Badgers welcomed Russell Wilson with open arms. He is a talented quarterback and a gifted athlete. Unlike Tolzein, he is a guy that you can expect to make some big plays for you on any given snap. Wilson has a prime target in returning starter Nick Toon. But like every year, it is the Badgers running game that is expected to power the team through the season. This year they are loaded on the offensive line and stacked at running back. Returning key contributors Montee Ball and James White look to lead the double edge sword that is the Wisconsin running game, behind studs Peter Konz, Kevin Zeitlter, and Josh Oglesby.
The Badgers are not a dark horse this year. This year the expectations are real. The talent is there and now it is up to Coach Brett Bielema, the rest of the staff, and the players to make the most out of this season. Anything short of coming up victorious in the Rose Bowl will be considered a down season for Wisconsin. This is a critical year for Wisconsin football as they look to place themselves in the elite ranks of college football and establish themselves as a true future powerhouse. It is Rose Bowl or Bust for the Badgers.
Read the in-depth preview of Wisconsin Football
