The UW football team's slow and steady climb up the polls took an impressive step this week, as the Badgers (7-1 Big Ten, 10-1 overall) used former national-title hopefuls Louisville, Texas, Auburn and California as footholds in their ascent to No. 9 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings. The ranking is Wisconsin's highest in exactly two years—UW was also No. 9 in the Nov. 14, 2004 BCS poll.
With analysts across the country debating which one-loss team will advance to the National Championship Game, Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema avoided speculating who the team might be at his Monday press conference.
When asked why the Badgers generally have not been considered in such discussion, Bielema said, ""How people view us or what they feel I can't control, I can only control what our guys do on Saturdays.""
Wisconsin appears to be in line for another trip to the Jan. 1 Capital One Bowl, as the winner and loser of Saturday's Ohio State-Michigan game will likely go to the National Championship Game and Rose Bowl, respectively. Only two teams from each conference may advance to BCS bowl games each year—a rule that should be reviewed, according to Bielema.
""Bottom line, [the rule is] something that people probably need to take a look at ... but it will probably come at the end of the season rather than during it,"" he said.
However, Bielema refused to advocate a BCS playoff, even though Wisconsin, in its current position, would qualify for one this year.
""What I really feel strongly about is bowl games,"" he said. ""I really believe as players look back on their career, the bowl games that they were able to go to and the way the season unfolds, that's the part I never want to take out of it. And if you look at it the way I do, to me every game is a playoff.""
Bielema ritualistically reverted to his ""1-0"" philosophy, saying he appreciates the recognition of a top-10 ranking, but has all his focus on Saturday's game against Buffalo (1-6 MAC, 2-8 overall).
""As the season unfolds, there's new rankings that come out every week, there's new columns, there's new opinions that formulate,"" he said. ""Hopefully the Badgers have been able to increase their value each week in the polls, and you've seen a direct result of that in where we stand right now, but ... it can all be taken away from you in a matter of a weekend so that's why we have to prepare this week.""
Buffalo is 1-8 in its past nine games, a fact that may justify resting senior quarterback John Stocco for a second straight week. Stocco missed Saturday's 24-21 victory at Iowa after separating his shoulder. Bielema said Stocco would be ready to play Saturday if healthy, even if his practice time is minimal this week.
""Because what John's been able to go through in his time here ... I don't know how much polish time he needs to get ready for a game on Saturday,"" Bielema said. ""He'll definitely watch film and learn as much as he can off of that. If he's able to play next weekend he'll be the starter, if not then Tyler Donovan has shown to me he's more than capable of stepping into that role.""
If Stocco plays, he will join his fellow seniors in their last game at Camp Randall. Bielema said he appreciates the way this year's seniors have worked with the new coaching staff and helped shape underclassmen.
""They're going to leave our program, but their mark on our program is going to be there for many years to come,"" he said.
