After two weeks of knowing it would play in the Capital One Bowl Jan 1. in Orlando, Fla., the UW football team (7-1 Big Ten, 11-1 overall) hit the practice fields Tuesday for the first time since finding out it would face Arkansas (8-2 SEC, 10-3 overall).
Wisconsin faced a number of offenses this season that featured a mobile quarterback including Bowling Green, Northwestern and Illinois; but none of those compare to the talented ""Wildcat"" offense the No. 12 Razorbacks will feature on New Year's Day.
""They are very versatile,"" head coach Bret Bielema said Sunday after his opponent was announced. ""They put guys in different positions and will snap the ball right to the running back.""
Arkansas owns the No. 1 rushing attack in the SEC, led by sophomore Heisman finalist Darren McFadden who is averaging 119 yards per game this season.
""[McFadden] looks to be a powerful runner,"" Bielema said. ""He definitely has great speed and seems to have great vision.""
Bielema had the benefit of being able to watch last Saturday's SEC Championship game and admitted he thought the loser of the game would fall into UW's hands. The first year head coach said he is excited about the opportunity to play Arkansas.
""It is very intriguing because this is definitely a matchup that has built up over the year to get where it is today,"" Bielema said.
Neither team was respected much early in the season as Wisconsin was unranked and Arkansas suffered a 50-14 loss to USC at home on Sep. 2. Now, both teams feature head coaches who won their respective conference's Coach of the Year award.
Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt did not have the luxury of sitting back and watching possible opponents because the Razorbacks have played two top five teams since UW beat Buffalo 16 days ago, losing to both LSU and Florida.
""I don't [know much about Wisconsin],"" Nutt said Sunday in a press conference after learning his teams' opponent. ""Just a little bit from the highlights I have seen. I know they won 11 games.""
The SEC and Big Ten are both known for defense, but the SEC boasts a lot of speed on offense and the Razorbacks' unique offense epitomizes the difference between UW and Arkansas. Still, Nutt said the running game will be a key for both teams.
""I think [the running game] is going to be a big part of the game when you see [UW freshman running back P.J. Hill], their offensive line and our offensive line and our tailbacks because that's what we both do,"" Nutt said.
Both teams also face health questions, although the Badgers, seem to be better off at this point as senior quarterback John Stocco should be back for the bowl game.
Meanwhile, both Arkansas tailbacks are fighting injuries as McFadden suffered an Achilles' tendon sprain and sophomore Felix Jones injured his ankle Saturday.
""We have quite a few who are bruised,"" Nutt said.
Arkansas will be returning to the Capital One Bowl for the first time since 1999 when they fell to Michigan 45-31.
Wisconsin, however, will be used to their Orlando routine having beaten Auburn 24-10 in the 2006 Capital One Bowl.
