How Does Wisconsin’s Addition of Russell Wilson Impact the Big Ten?
Posted on June 30, 2011 by Jacob Bunn
Russell Wilson threw for 3,663 yards and 28 touchdowns last season as the starting quarterback for North Carolina State. As he dabbled in professional baseball, Wilson decided that he would transfer from the Wolfpack to play his final season of college football.
He visited Auburn and Wisconsin, and after a time of consideration, he chose the Badgers as his 2011 destination.
Wilson could become the superstar that Wisconsin needs this year to elevate it above the fray in the recently expanded Big Ten. The Badgers were have been a common choice to be one of the main contenders for the 2011 Big Ten title, but with the Wilson development, look for most college football prognosticators to peg them as the favorite in the conference.
The biggest question surrounding the Big Ten now is which team is going to challenge Wisconsin? Because of the recent demise of Ohio State, the conference is lacking a frontrunner for the 2011 season.
In its own division, Wisconsin will compete against the Buckeyes, Penn State, Illinois, Indiana, and Purdue. I think Penn State could be a threat because of the number of returning contributors it has. Ohio State is in such a world of hurt that I don’t foresee the Buckeyes making much noise. And, one of the Purdue, Indiana and Illinois group may be a contender this year, but don’t count too heavily on that happening either. So, Wisconsin does not have a lot of competition in its own division.
What about the other side of the conference?
In only its first season of Big Ten competition, Nebraska may be a major contender for the conference title. The only other challengers in the Legends Division are Michigan State, Iowa, and perhaps Michigan. There is just not that much opposition to Wisconsin in the conference. If you could draw up a perfect scenario for the Badgers to have a national run, this would probably be it.
So, what about the schedule?
Wisconsin opens up on the first Thursday night of the year, September 1st, against UNLV. The Rebels are never a throw away game, but Wisconsin should beat them, especially since the game is at home in Madison. The Badgers then host Oregon State, a BCS team that they should beat, and South Dakota rounds out their non-conference schedule.
In conference, the Badgers play perhaps their toughest Big Ten game first – Nebraska. The good news for Wisconsin is that it is played at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. The next week is an off week for the Badgers. Then, they play Indiana before traveling to Lansing, MI and Columbus, OH in consecutive weeks. Some think Michigan State is the dark horse to win the Big Ten this year. Although I think the Spartans have something to prove, you can count me out of that group. I do realize Ohio State will be down this season, but that does not mean they cannot win a game. Wisconsin better bring its lunch to Columbus because I imagine the remaining Ohio State players, who have not graduated, been suspended, or left under scrutiny, will remember the annihilating performance the Badgers put on them last season in Madison. That game, of course, removed the Buckeyes from the top spot in the BCS.
In November, Wisconsin has Purdue at home, Minnesota and Illinois on the road, and Penn State in Madison to conclude the season. I don’t think Purdue or Minnesota will be terribly hard for the Badgers to handle. I think Illinois could pose a potential problem since the Badgers do have to go to Champaign. But, I believe the game that will decide it all in the Big Ten Leaders Division will be the final contest of the regular season between Penn State and Wisconsin. Penn State may come in with a loss or two, but I think it is possible for Wisconsin to have a blemish at that point as well. Regardless, look for that to be the deciding matchup for that division.
I have not made my BCS predictions yet, but Wisconsin’s pickup of Wilson does cause me to lean their way. Can they go all the way, though, is the biggest question. We will see about that.
It’s not like the Badgers had a poor season last year. Yes, they did get knocked off by TCU in the Rose Bowl, but you don’t just accidentally get to the ‘granddaddy of them all’ without making some noise in the regular season.
Will Wisconsin win the BCS Championship? I don’t know. It’s really hard for me to imagine any non-SEC team winning it ever again. But in all seriousness, the Badgers do have a reason to have high expectations this season. This kind of an opportunity does not come to Madison often, so head coach Bret Bielema and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst better not misuse it.
Email Jacob at jacob@bunnsports.com and follow him on Twitter at @JacobBunn
