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Badgers Managing To Stay Healthy

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 29, 2007

Updated: 12/28/2007 11:11 pm

TAMPA - So far, so good for Wisconsin's practice week - meaning everybody has remained healthy.

"It was a difficult day because we had meeting in the morning, went to a luncheon, then they sat around for an hour until practice," Badgers coach Bret Bielema said after afternoon drills at Jefferson High.

"But I they have been going very well. This is midway through the week. They've been practicing pretty good. So today we'll evaluate what we want to do, might shorten practice a little bit and let the kids get their legs back. I like where we're at. And we're staying healthy, which is good."

HIT THE BOOKS, TOO: Tennessee declared six players - three of them starters - academically ineligible for Tuesday's Outback Bowl, Wisconsin naturally took great pride in having all its players on hand this week.

Bielema credited his school's academic support staff, pointing to a new NCAA rule that requires a student-athlete to pass six hours within the specified grade requirement of each individual major to be eligible for bowl game.

He also didn't ignore Tennessee's situation when addressing his team.

"I brought it to their attention because I knew they would get asked questions about it," the second-year coach said. "When you are a head coach and you see the team you are playing suspend players you make adjustments accordingly and you make your kids aware. But I guarantee it's not going to change what they are going to do. They still have good players behind them. It's just like somebody went down with a ankle injury."

STRAIGHT TALK: Wisconsin senior P Ken DeBauche averaged 43 yards per kick this year and was a second-team All-Big Ten selection.

He also gets bonus points for being honest.

What does he know about the Badgers game plan for Tennessee?

"I'm the punter," DeBauche said. "All I need to know is to kick the ball and punt it as high and as far as I can."

SMALL CLUB: After Capital One Bowl wins against Auburn in 2006 and Arkansas in 2007, Wisconsin will be trying to join Michigan as the only Big Ten schools to defeat Southeastern Conference opponents in bowl games three consecutive years.

GOOD START: Since moving up from defensive coordinator to take over Wisconsin's head coaching job, Bielema is 21-4 in two seasons. Only once previously have the Badgers won more than 21 games during a two-year stretch - 2005-06, when they had 22 victories.

MISSING HOME: Although it does not do the Badgers any good at the Outback Bowl, their current 14-game home winning streak is the second longest in the nation behind Oklahoma's 17 straight.

EAT UP: In a united effort, Wisconsin and Tennessee devoured more than 5,500 pounds of food, including 750 pounds of steak, 750 pounds of chicken and 900 pounds of ribs at the Outback Bowl dinner this week at the Tampa Convention Center.

"I think our guys are excited to be somewhere where it's not 30 degrees and a lot of snow," Bielema said. "You throw in a couple steaks and a piece of chicken and they'll be here a long, long time."

Mick Elliott

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