Charlie Healy
Football
Classes at the University of Wisconsin started on Wednesday. After a summer break that never seems to be long enough, the start of school signals the start of another season of athletic competition. While Wisconsin Soccer and Volleyball started competing last weekend, the big kickoff is Saturday when Northern Illinois comes to Camp Randall Stadium for the first football game of the year.
Under the direction of fourth-year head coach Bret Bielema, the Badgers have a lot to prove this year. Who will step up as the starting quarterback? Will the quarterback split between junior Scott Tolzien and red-shirt freshman Curt Philips last more than one or two games, or will one player emerge as the better player? Can the running back tandem of Zach Brown and John Clay complement the quarterback duo?
What about the defense? The defense can’t afford to give up more than 25 points in a game, as it did 6 times last year. If the defense can step up and limit opponent’s opportunities, the chances of victory will increase dramatically given the potential of the offense. Don’t expect the offense to score a lot, but expect the offense to score if given the chance by strong defensive stops.
If each player and each part of the team compete and execute as they are capable of, this Badger team could be a team that will make noise in the Big Ten. It may not be enough to catch Ohio State and Penn State at the top of the conference, but it certainly could be enough to earn a trip to a bowl game on January 1st.
