So by now we all know the storyline for the 2006 Wisconsin Badgers. They have a young, very talented defense and an offense that returns only its starting quarterback and nationally touted offensive lineman who might have to line up at wide receiver soon.
Well, here's a thought that might catch you by surprise: the UW football team might be playing for a Rose Bowl berth Nov. 11 at Iowa.
Yeah, I threw the word ""might"" in there because a lot of things would have to happen to help the Badgers, including Ohio State winning out and Michigan losing twice.
The bottom line is, however, UW has five winnable games before their showdown with Iowa and four of those contests will be played at Camp Randall.
Northwestern comes to Madison Saturday with one of its worst offenses in years and a defense that really isn't much better than Indiana's. They played Penn State tougher than expected, but that can probably be attributed more to the fact that Penn State's offense has taken a big hit with the loss of former quarterback Michael Robinson. Result: a home win in a game not even being shown live on television.
Minnesota visits Camp Randall Nov. 14 in what could be a trap game, but is more likely to be an ugly one in which UW wins by 10 or so points. The Gophers lack the running game that dominated the Badger defense a year ago, and the home-field should keep the axe in Madison.
I was more worried about Wisconsin's trip to Purdue before I saw the Boilermakers play Notre Dame last Saturday. Sure, they put up over 400 yards on the Fighting Irish, but Notre Dame's defense hasn't stopped anyone since holding Georgia Tech in check. This might be the toughest game before Iowa, but this is a contest where having the best defense in the Big Ten can bail you out. Anyone remember 2004?
Next up would be Illinois, but assuming the team stays out of trouble during the Halloween festivities, the more competitive game on Oct. 28 should be taking place at the Kohl Center when the UW hockey team takes on Boston College.
The Badgers, who would be 8-1 at this point, would then have just one last home game to win before heading to Kinnick Stadium to take on the Hawkeyes. By far the toughest opponent they will see at home in 2006, the Nittany Lions still won't be favorites if UW really only has one loss. That doesn't mean the Badgers would be the better team, but if they can get over their recent habit of losing big games at the end of the season UW could be 9-1 and tied for second place in the Big Ten.
It's still unlikely we are talking Rose Bowl, but it would be possible if Ohio State heads to the National Championship game undefeated.
If Iowa were to upset Michigan Oct. 21 in Ann Arbor, the Iowa-Wisconsin game at Kinnick Stadium would mean the winner would head to the Rose Bowl if Ohio State beats Michigan the following week.
Again, a lot of ""ifs"" need to happen.
And who's to say the Badgers beat Iowa? It is unlikely, but probably more possible than the Badgers upsetting Michigan in the Big House, and at least UW gave the Wolverines a game.
It is the Big Ten, however, and every team has that one game that gets away. Last year for UW, it was the Northwestern game. The year before it was the debacle at Michigan State.
I, however, am going to go out on a limb and say that game doesn't happen this season. The expectations are lower, and Bielema's 1-0 philosophy seems to work when it is realistic.
Guess what?
Heading to Iowa 9-1 is realistic.
—Adam can be contacted at hoge@dailycardinal.com.
