CHICAGO—Heading into the Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, there was really only one topic on everyone's mind—expansion. Perhaps more than the others, though, the Wisconsin football team and head coach Bret Bielema have an incredibly vested interest in what Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany called an ""historic"" addition of Nebraska to the conference.
The possibilities that come with the addition of a twelfth league member are enticing for Bielema—especially the possibility of a new rivalry with Nebraska, which the head coach has been silently promoting ever since he recently tweeted the idea of playing the Cornhuskers in the season finale each year.
""It was something I felt strongly about. And I thought it would be neat,"" said Bielema. ""I'd like to have tradition for ourselves, whether it's Minnesota, whether it's Iowa, whether it's Nebraska. If they come up with something else, I'm all game, but let's have something and run with it.""
Bielema is also excited about the prospect of a Big Ten football championship game being held each season to decide the conference title-winner. In his time as a coach in the Big 12, Bielema enjoyed the thrills and possibilities that a championship game brought to the season. That excitement has remained strong with the head coach, and his enthusiasm for the idea has now bled over to his current position in the Big Ten.
""I remember the first time we talked about championship games [in the Big Ten] and if it was something we really wanted to have,"" said Bielema. ""I'm in favor of it. I don't know where it's going to go. But for me personally, I think it would be a very exciting thing.""
Rivalries continued
With expansion also comes apprehension for some Big Ten coaches and fans alike. Some of the oldest and most beloved rivalries in all of sports exist within Big Ten football, and while it was apparent that every conference head coach has complete faith in the decisions of Commissioner Delany, it was also made clear that no coach wanted to see those annual rivalries broken up.
For the Badgers, the most important rivalry is their annual contest against Minnesota, the longest-running rivalry in the nation. Both Bielema and Gopher head coach Tim Brewster made it clear that keeping an annual game with the other team was among their top priorities in conference schedule restructuring.
""I think it's absolutely vital for the University of Minnesota to play Wisconsin each and every year,"" said Brewster.
However, Brewster and his Minnesota squads have had little reason to celebrate that annual game in recent history, with Wisconsin taking home Paul Bunyan's Ax the past six years. The Gophers have suffered three tight losses in a row at the hands of the Badgers.
""We talk about Wisconsin regularly. We talk about Wisconsin in spring practice; we talk about them in fall camp. It's a very meaningful game, and I don't think you prepare for a meaningful game in one week,"" said Brewster. ""We make an investment in winning that game, as they do as well.""
Clay focused on task at hand
One man who is absolutely vital to any success this year for the Badgers will be junior running back John Clay. Clay is returning from off-season surgery, and Bielema reports the Racine, Wis. native is ""100 percent."" The reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year said that his ankle felt better immediately after waking up from the procedure, and that can only improve his play from last season.
Yet, despite the high honors following 2009 and the promise of a completely healthy season, Clay was not selected as the preseason offensive player of the year. That distinction went to Ohio State quarter back Terrelle Pryor. Clay isn't about to let this bother him, though.
""That's just how people feel. I just have to be able to show them improvement again like I did last year,"" Clay said.
Clay, who said it was tough to watch his teammates practice while he was recovering from surgery this past spring, has been surrounded by quiet rumors all pre-season that he could be in the running for the Heisman Trophy by season's end. However, the junior is clearly more focused on the present and his team right now. When asked how easy of a decision it was to return for his third season at Wisconsin, Clay stated that it was a ""no-brainer.""
""I knew what kind of group we had coming back. Being able to be part of something special this season was the first thing on my mind,"" Clay said.
Empty seats
For years, students, administration and coaches alike have all complained about the complacency of Wisconsin students in filling up Camp Randall in time for kick-off. Bielema even sent an e-mail last year to students that essentially pleaded them to show their support by getting into the stadium before the first quarter. That sentiment still holds strong with the coach.
""It does [disappoint]. We have one of the best environments, in my opinion, in college football,"" said Bielema. ""It's something we don't take lightly and a big part of that is our fans, and our students are the people that make everything go.""
Empty seats also weigh heavily on the thoughts and frustration of senior defensive back Jay Valai, as well as the rest of his teammates on the field.
""We want them to be there early. It would be nice if they didn't come in the second quarter. I think one thing we're really going to emphasize this year is, if [the students] want to help us out, if [they] want a big-time winning team, at least show up. A little two-way effort: We'll do something big for you all if you show up,"" said Valai. ""The liquor can hold off, Madison.""
And so while Valai offers valuable advice of his own to students, his Wisconsin team is set to begin fall practices this coming week where they will certainly seek their own advice from coach Bielema and team leaders such as Clay and returning starter senior quarterback Scott Tolzien as they begin their journey toward what will hopefully be a successful Badgers campaign. That journey begins Sept. 4 when the Badgers kick off the season under the lights in Las Vegas, Nev.
