Whats Wrong with Bucky?

Let me say this before I start writing; that I am not full-fledged Badger fan by any means but I still always hope their football team does well. I had high expectations for them this season as did others (Lee Corso before the Michigan game thought they were "good enough to play in the National Championship"). But now, they will be lucky to get a bowl game this year by the way they are playing.


So what are the issues you might ask yourself. I think it starts
with coaching. Bret Bielema brought in his own guys to show Athletic Director Barry Alvarez that I can do "without your help." Well both of the coordinators look to be in jeopardy of losing their jobs in my opinion. On the offense side, Paul Chryst does not realize that they are a "north-south" football team and they have no wide receivers, therefore why the hell arent they running the ball straight up the gut against Michigan. If they are passing, it should be short 5-10 yard dump off giving Allen Everidge as little a chance to screw it up.



On Defense, Dave Doeran has been garbage in the last two weeks especially. Granted Penn State is a great team but to give up 41 points (one Special Teams TD) is just absurd. Furthermore, the Ohio State game, why not send one of the great linebackers in on a blitz once in awhile on Terrelle Pryor. He would be so rattled and the Badgers might have come out victorious in that one.



The other looming problem is recruiting. It seems like Bielema isnt getting the recruits that Alvarez would and that could come from the guys he has recruiting for him but it has alot to do with Bielema. I will quote a line from Always Sunny in Philadelphia to describe Coach Bielema, "Nobody likes you because..... You're an Asshole!!!!" I like the whole swagger Bielema carries but he asks like such a prick around reporters and doesnt seem like a coach that you could enjoy watching football with such as Pete Caroll, Urban Meyer, or even Jim Tressel. Alvarez wasnt the nicest guy either but he sure made it seem that way when the media spotlight was on him. Bielema has no idea how to handle the media therefore gives the media a better reason to beat up on Bielema.



Also its clear proof to me that Allen Everidge should be sitting on the sidelines with a clipboard. I didnt watch the debacle after it got to 24-7 but I heard from sources that backup QB Dustin Sherer was pretty solid. He deserves to start, try something new. The other thing is PJ Hill is a shell of his old form and John Clay needs to be involved at least 35% of the time if not more, he is the future and whenever he is in, good things tend to happen.



Now a look at how the Badgers might fair the rest of the year.

@Iowa-a toss-up because they have played awful in Kinnick but did win three years ago. Plus Iowa is led by fantastic runner Shonn Greene (more on him later). But I think the Badgers will play inspired. So could go either way.
vs. Illinois-win- If not for the Badgers, they could be the most overrated team in the Big Ten, their defense is not that good and the Badgers will want to win big in Camp Randall.
@Michigan State-Loss- Never play well in East Lansing and with Javon Ringer and Co., it could get ugly.
@Indiana-Win- Even though they dont play well in Bloomington, the Hoosiers are pretty bad and this should be a big win for the Badgers.
vs. Minnesota-Toss up- I think the Badgers have the slight advantage because the game is in Madison but the Gophers are a better team than anyone expected.
vs. Cal Poly-Win what a joke.



So I only have two real wins for the Badgers right now based off the way they are playing but probably four is realistic. So 8-4 on the year which would get them into a minor bowl game or 6-6 which would put them on the bubble yet probably in based off how well Madison travels.



Here is the big question, does Brett Bielema get the axe? Probably not but his seat has got a whole helluva alot warmer.



-Charlie.