When the subject is UW football, the mentality is 1-0. And Badger football is the prime topic this weekend, what with the storyline surrounding Saturday: Big Ten opener against Michigan at the Big House. For Bret Bielema's Badgers, the proving ground does not get more firm than this.
It is a rare interview with a Badger player or coach that focuses on weekly preparation and does not find the 1-0 rallying cry. So, one day in advance of UW's showdown with Michigan, let's look at some ways—however simplified and wishful—that the Badgers can turn a 1-0 psyche into 1-0 where it matters: in the Big Ten standings.
1-0: For starters, UW has to get off to a good start. No sound science ever came from three samples, but it is clear that a big part of Michigan's success has relied upon jumping on opponents early.
1-0: They make the crowd factor a non-issue. Last season Wisconsin had the advantage of playing on the home turf, where UW fans basically willed the Badgers to a 23-20 victory. Fans certainly remember the 13-3 halftime deficit and the John Stocco quarterback draw that put the Badgers ahead with only 24 seconds left. Things figure a little bit differently though when you're the road team.
Word out of Ann Arbor is that tomorrow has—conveniently for UW—been scheduled as one of two ""Maize Outs"" this season. Toss that element in with a group of players that has largely never been in this atmosphere before and there could be problems. In order to win, the Badgers can not afford for one moment to lose their poise. Translation: ball control and limit the turnovers. That could phase out the Maize.
1-0: The letdown comes into play. The highs and lows are all too common in sports. A reminder is not necessary, but here it is anyway: While UW was scrapping with the Aztecs last weekend, Michigan was in South Bend where they absolutely routed the Irish. The hope for the Badgers is that the Wolverines topped out last weekend and will have less bite Saturday.
1-0: They carry over the positives. The defense was first-rate against San Diego State. They minimized third-down conversions, pressured the quarterback and tackled well. On offense, Stocco had a bulwark in front of him as his offensive line. All of these developments represent a positive progression from the first two weeks of the season.
1-0: They don't give up the big play. Big plays are made by big-time players, and the Wolverines have quite a few of them. Chad Henne can throw the ball deep, Mike Hart can run and Steve Breaston and Mario Manningham are receiving threats. Big plays promise to be demoralizing, especially on the road in front of 110,000 people.
1-0: They cast off everything concerning the history between Wisconsin and Michigan. A remark from Bielema earlier this week made great sense. ""The great thing is the reason we play on Saturdays is to give everybody a chance. It's 11 on 11,"" the head coach said. That's exactly the state of mind the Badgers should take into Michigan Stadium. Don't let the numbers rear their heads; there are definitely some ugly ones.
1-0: This may be the most important of all. Some of us are observing a holiday this weekend. It's probably fair to say that, whatever their religious beliefs, the Badgers and their fans should remember one thing: in any sense of the word, have faith.
A-Jon is a junior majoring in journalism. He can be reached at bortin@wisc.edu.
