The buzz has started despite both Michigan and Nebraska still having head coaches. Instead of wondering whether or not Lloyd Carr will retire and whether or not Bill Callahan will get fired, everyone seems to be skipping ahead and asking, Who is going to replace the two coaches?""
In case you missed the Big Ten Network's coverage of Saturday's game, which means you probably missed it, Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis linked Barry Alvarez to the possible job opening at Nebraska. ""Wouldn't you at least have to ask Barry if he is interested?"" Brennaman suggested.
Meanwhile, Bielema has already been linked to the possible Michigan opening. Tom Dienhart of ""The Sporting News"" suggested in a column last Friday that Bielema could be pursued by Michigan if Carr retires.
Of course all of this is speculation, but could Wisconsin actually be without Bielema and Alvarez next season?
Personally, I don't think it will happen. Nebraska is Alvarez's alma mater, but if Wisconsin had played Nebraska in each of these past four seasons, including this one, the Badgers would have gone 4-0.
Alvarez is leading an athletic department that might be the best in the Big Ten across all sports. But if he wants to get back into coaching, Nebraska might be the perfect rebuilding project for the man that rebuilt Wisconsin football. Plus, it's not like he hasn't been pursued lately. In a recent interview on the ""Mike North Morning Show"" on Chicago's 670 The Score, Alvarez admitted that he has received phone calls over the last couple of years about openings. Will he leave, though? The statue in front of Camp Randall tells me no.
Then there is Bielema. Why would he leave? If he were having this three-loss season at Michigan, they would be calling for his head.
The alumni at Wisconsin don't demand national championships every season, and yet he was one loss away from getting to the National Championship Game a year ago and with the recruiting capabilities he has shown early, he might get that opportunity soon.
Still, it would be even easier to get those same recruits wearing a Michigan cap on his head, but is it worth the pressure from the fans year in and year out?
Of course, if Bielema leaves, and Alvarez wants to coach again, he could just hire himself to coach the Badgers again.
UW fans make a statement in the 'Shoe'
I had the rare opportunity to enjoy Saturday's game at Ohio State from the stands and not in a press box and must say that I was proud of Wisconsin's students for once. Of course our section was the only section in the entire stadium that wasn't completely full by kickoff, but for the most part the Wisconsin fans were on time.
They were also loud and into the game for all 60 minutes, which the Ohio State fans surprisingly weren't.
First off, I was blown away by the way Ohio State does game day. The tailgates were set up on Friday and the scalpers were doing business when I got to Columbus Friday evening. But the Horseshoe was surprisingly not that loud during the game - even when the Buckeyes were winning in the first half.
The team might have lost the game, but Badger fans made a statement. Still, it's not a good thing when I'm only impressed with the Wisconsin student section on the road.
Injuries piling up
While the Badgers have certainly not fulfilled the preseason expectations, it's hard to be upset about a 7-3 record when you consider the injuries Bielema's squad has faced all season long. He would be the first to tell you it's not an excuse, but the team has been anything but healthy.
Five offensive starters have missed time and now members of the defense are dropping like flies. If this continues, Bielema might have to steal an idea from Bo Ryan and hold a tryout before the bowl game.
If you think UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez will be coaching the Miami Dolphins and head coach Bret Bielema will be coaching the St. Louis Rams, e-mail Adam at hoge@wisc.edu.
