It is a new era of Big Ten football, and why not start with this week's version of "The Game of the Century?" You thought last year's tussle with Ohio State was big? When it comes to hype, this Saturday night's conference opener with Nebraska might be even bigger.

Beyond the obvious of this being the Cornhuskers' first Big Ten game, the matchup also marks the first time since Nov. 24, 1962 that a game at Camp Randall Stadium featured two teams ranked in the top 10. On that day nearly 50 years ago, No. 3 Wisconsin beat No. 5 Minnesota, 14-9.

That was a few years before Chris, Lee, Kirk, Desmond, David and Erin started doing College GameDay. (I think that is the full roster, not including reporters such as Tom Rinaldi. If I left out anyone, I apologize to the good folks at ESPN)

This weekend also marks the beginning of divisional play, with the Badgers as part of the Leaders Division. Here is a simple formula to remember how the Big Ten is divided -- schools starting with the letter "M," and "N" along with Iowa -- are in the Legends Division. Everyone else is in the Leaders Division.

Divisional play also changes the tiebreaker system, making a game within the division more important. For instance, say Wisconsin, Penn State and Illinois finished tied for first in the Leaders Division, and against each other, every team is 1-1. The next step in the tiebreaker is a team's record within the rest of the division. With this in mind, the games against Ohio State, Purdue and Indiana carry more weight than a game against a Legends Division team.

Yeah, I know, this week's game is really huge anyway, regardless of the fact that the Badgers and the Huskers play in opposite divisions.

The atmosphere should be electric, and earlier this week head coach Bret Bielema urged fans, especially the students, to be in the stadium and ready to roll for the opening kickoff.

Which leads to perhaps the question of the week -- how many Nebraska fans will get a ticket?  Who knows, but word is we will be able to tell the difference between the Cardinal and White and the Big Red.

Seems folks from Nebraska will be wearing black shirts. Why black shirts?  That is symbolic of the Blackshirts nickname for the Cornhuskers defense. This goes back to the early 1960s, when then-coach Bob Devaney wanted to distinguish the defensive starters in practice.

Barry Alvarez knows firsthand about the Blackshirts. He can tell you all about it. He also can tell you about that 25-yard interception return against Wisconsin when the Huskers beat the Badgers in Madison.

Anytime there is video of that play, the Hall of Fame coach catches a ton of grief. In a nutshell, I will say nobody questioned Barry's toughness, but he was not exactly a sprinter. As the old line goes, Barry picked off the pass in 1966 -- and the play ended in 1967.

No doubt that story will be told many more times this week, and that is part of what makes college football so much fun.

So do spotlight games, and Big Game America returns to Madison, Wisconsin, this Saturday as the 116th season of Big Ten football gets underway.

It is a ticket worth saving, don't you think?

For a broadcaster, one of the worst mistakes we can make is mispronouncing someone's name. It is the equivalent of a writer misspelling a name. I have been guilty of that basic fundamental screw up more often than I care to admit.

In fact, a few days ago while taping a segment for the "Badger Sports Report" TV show, I referred to the South Dakota Coyotes as the "Ki-OH-tees." That is incorrect. They are the "KI-Oats."

Now you know. I would imagine it is pretty annoying for a South Dakota fan or a school administrator who time and time again will hear people say Ki-OH-tees, but I am sure they deal with it as best they can.

I would suggest they have company in the Badgers' head football coach. How often have you heard a national broadcaster butcher Bret Bielema's name? 

To some, he is Bret "Bull-EE-ma." To others, he is Bret "BILL-la-ma." There probably are some others, but "Bull-EE-ma" appears to be the leader in the clubhouse.

As Bret BEE-la-ma has said on a number of occasions, "I have been called any number of eating disorders."  

At least he can have some fun with it. Last week, Coach BEE-la-ma and Northern Illinois boss Dave Doeren were doing a radio interview together on Chicago's 670 The Score. The Badgers coach was able to chuckle when the hosts referred to his good friend as Dave "Door-ee-in."

For the record, it is "Door-in," but I am sure you Wisconsin fans knew that already.

I understand mistakes happen, but I would think by now most folks who get paid to talk about college football could properly pronounce the name of the fellow who coached his team to last year's Big Ten title. Is that asking too much? 

I mean, for crying out loud, this is Bull-EE-ma's, errrrrr, BEE-la-ma's sixth-year as head coach at a rather high-profile program. Can't these people get it right?

Of course, BEE-la-ma has company with another somewhat established coach -- Iowa's Kirk "FAIR-intz." Seems many folks still call him "Fuh-RENTS." Maybe that will make Bret feel a little better. Or maybe not.

After all, this is FAIR-intz's 13th year as the Hawkeyes' head man, so perhaps there is no end in sight for BEE-la-ma being called "Bull-EE-ma."

Oh well, maybe this is just another way Wisconsin can stay a little bit under the radar. Given the team's 3-0 start and top-10 national ranking, staying under the radar probably is a bit of a stretch, but if botching the coach's name gives the boys the feeling of disrespect, perhaps it is all for the better.

So, take heart South Dakota Ki-Oats fans. Your team is less than two weeks removed from knocking off last year's FCS national champs, and you are a top-20 team in your own right. Your squad is one year removed from beating Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Still, dummies such as yours truly fumbled your nickname. My apologies, and I plan on getting it right from now on, especially on Saturday afternoon.

As for those on ESPN and the other big boy networks who still can't get Bull-EE-ma, I mean, BEE-la-ma's name right, part of me says shame on you, while another part of me says just keep it up. BEE-la-ma appears to be surviving the blow.

Either way, I believe it is safe to say the University of Wisconsin head coach is starting to make a name for himself, no matter how the talking heads choose to pronounce it.

Just two games into the college football season and there has been no shortage of hot topics. Thrilling games, such as Michigan's 35-31 victory at home against Notre Dame, South Carolina's shootout with Georgia, and defending national champion Auburn pulling out a pair of close encounters have given the national pundits plenty to talk about.

Already there is chatter about Heisman Trophy candidates and BCS title game contenders. It is kind of silly, but I have to admit it is kind of fun as well. It sure beats talking about schools on probation, doesn't it?

There is one storyline that once again has reared its ugly head. It has been an ongoing problem in college football, and I am afraid it will get worse before it gets better. Of all the matters on NCAA President Mark Emmert's plate, this is one I feel strongly about -- ugly uniforms!

At this time I would like to publically thank the University of Wisconsin for keeping it simple. Yes, a couple of times the Badgers have come out with dramatically different unis, such as in the 1995 season opener against Colorado. They resembled the old Dallas Cowboys, only with different colors.

In 2005, the UW went to the throwback uniforms from the early 1960s. Actually, it was a pretty classy look, and if nothing else, at least you could read the jersey numbers.

How 'bout some of the threads we have seen so far this season? Guilty parties include Georgia in its season-opening loss to Boise State. Or how about Maryland in its first game against Miami?

As a caller to Tim Brando's national radio show observed, the Terps' helmets made the players look like crash test dummies.

And do not get me started on Oregon. I really like and respect the Ducks program, but I blame them for this trend of programs that seem to need 30 different uniform combinations.

I get the throwback thing. I actually liked the turn-back-the-clock uniforms Michigan and Notre Dame sported last Saturday.

Even the officials went with the attire of yesteryear, complete with the snappy hats. I just don't get the multi-colored, multi-combo, I-Have-No-Idea-Who-You-Are ensembles.

Thank goodness Barry Alvarez is more of a traditionalist. Sure, the Badgers' uniforms can change slightly, but the UW Athletic Director is a believer in the brand, so why mess with it? When you see the Motion W on the helmets, you know it is Wisconsin. Keep the excess junk off the jerseys too -- names, numbers and maybe a couple of stripes will do.

I must be getting old, but give me the simple uniforms such as Penn State and Alabama. If you follow college football and see those uniforms, you know who is playing, right?

Some of this is selfish. As a broadcaster, I am a big fan of jerseys with easy-to-read numbers. Give me a sharp contrast between number and shirt, and I am a happy little announcer.

A couple of years ago a friend of mine called a game involving Oregon and said it was a nightmare. The Badgers' Champs Sports Bowl game with Miami was no picnic either -- the Hurricanes' road jerseys were not fan or announcer friendly.

More importantly, I would think a fan/alum of a school takes pride in the tradition of the program.

Yes, some have a richer history than others, but unless you are an upstart program, embrace the tradition that exists.

Then again, maybe this is just another old school vs. new school issue. What do you think?

On September 11, 2001, it was such a beautiful morning. The sun was shining, and there was a gentle breeze. It was the type of day that showcases the beauty of this city.

On the local sports scene, there was some concern about the Badgers football team, which had just dropped its second-straight game, losing the previous Saturday to Fresno State, 32-20.

The season began with a victory against Virginia in a game featuring a lightning delay. The following week the Badgers played well but Oregon, led by quarterback Joey Harrington, slipped past Wisconsin, 31-28.

Next up on the schedule was Western Kentucky. I remember being in my living room, completing my spotter's chart on the Hilltoppers. My wife and I had the radio on in the background. The team's 1-2 record aside, life was pretty good, and we were ready to begin our day.

Then everything changed. The usual laughter on the morning radio show stopped. One of the hosts announced that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. Perhaps like any number of people, the magnitude of what was occurring did not completely hit home with us.

We turned on NBC's "Today" show, right about the time the second plane struck the other tower. Like everyone else, we were stunned. Suddenly, the thought of my wife going to work, or the thought of me studying Western Kentucky's roster became irrelevant.

There are certain events when it is natural to remember where you were and what you were doing. Those who are old enough remember where they were on Dec. 7, 1941. Others can recall the day President Kennedy was assassinated. Sept. 11, 2001 became the latest tragic date on that list.

Americans went through all the emotions, from stunned disbelief, to profound sadness, to extreme anger. After a few days, we just wanted to get our lives back to "normal," however we could define that word.

For many of us, we discovered that sports can help the healing process. For a time, the stadiums were silent. When the seasons resumed, the world of fun and games became a way to escape the pain and the fear of what had happened to our country.  

For the Badgers, their first game after 9/11 was at Penn State. When we arrived at the team hotel the evening before the game, there was a moment when I started to believe that life as I knew it was about to resume.  

In 2001, Joey Boese was a senior defensive back. His father, Leo, was a regular at the games, both home and away. Almost without fail, I would see Leo on a road trip, standing outside the team hotel, unlit cigar in hand, waiting for the team to arrive.

In State College on Sept. 21, 2001, as the buses pulled into the hotel parking lot, there was Leo and his cigar. I could not help but smile and let out a sigh of relief.  With the horrible events still so fresh in everyone's mind, seeing Mr. Boese with his stogie was a sign that it was time to move forward.

I don't know about you, but at times I am brutally guilty of sweating the small stuff. In the days after 9/11, what seemed annoying the day before no longer mattered. What mattered were the simple things, like being with friends and family.  

This is where sport can be at its best. Let's face it, going to a Badger football game is a social event. Sure, fans will cheer for their team, and there is reason to be excited about the possibilities for a terrific season, but hopefully we can all enjoy the simple things.

I arrive at Camp Randall about three hours prior to kickoff. Already the tailgate parties are going. The smell of brats on the grills, and the sea of Badger fans making their way to the stadium. To me, it is one of the best parts of a game day. People are happy to be together, and they are enjoying everything that goes into a football Saturday.  

As we approach Sept. 11, 2011, I hope everyone attending a game this weekend can appreciate all the little things that make a sporting event so special.  

So go ahead and high-five a fan you have never met. Sing "Sweet Caroline" like you never have before. Jump Around like you really mean it.     

Embrace all the simple things. Perhaps that is as good a way as any to reflect on what happened 10 years ago. 

We interrupt this off-season of investigations, scandal and free advice on how to clean up college athletics to bring you -- at long last -- a football game. The Badgers and UNLV ring in the new season Thursday night at 7 p.m. It is one of 15 games on the schedule as fans can get a jumpstart on another season.

The Rebels are hoping to build some momentum under second-year coach Bobby Hauck, who no doubt will look to re-create the magic of John Robinson's UNLV team eight years ago, when it came to Camp Randall Stadium and shut down the Badgers 23-5. That represents the last regular season non-conference loss. Since that setback on Sept. 13, 2003, the Badgers have rolled to 28 straight non-league victories.

To keep that streak alive, and to have a shot at another memorable season, here is one observer's list of things to watch in 2011:

Protect your quarterback.
Russell Wilson is many things, including mobile. Just when a defense seemingly has him lined up, Wilson's quick feet can get him out of trouble. That said, given the fact his backups have taken exactly zero snaps in a college game, Captain Obvious here just wants to point out that this man really needs to stay healthy. In a perfect world, Joe Brennan can get some work in certain situations. The coaches have been very encouraged with his improvement in training camp. The same can be said of Joel Stave. The hope is that those two can continue to grow at a steady pace, and not be forced to play because of injury.

Better luck for Borland and Taylor.
Keeping with the theme of healthy players, the Badgers clearly are a better defense when linebackers Chris Borland and Mike Taylor are on the field together. If his shoulders cooperate, Borland can be a playmaker along the lines of what J.J. Watt did a year ago. With healthy knees, Taylor moves very well. Together, they can help make this a very good defense.

Do not expect a finished product in September.  
Nearly every year, it happens. The Badgers play a game that is closer than most fans expect. Then the worrying begins. Last year they looked choppy at times against San Jose State. The following week they needed a blocked PAT to hold off Arizona State. In 2007, The Citadel gave Wisconsin trouble.

Going back to a couple of Barry Alvarez's Rose Bowl teams, in 1998 the Badgers needed a big play from quarterback Mike Samuel to help them get past San Diego State. A year later they lost to a not-very-good Cincinnati team. My point is the Badgers will not always be the smoothest bunch early in the season, but the better Wisconsin teams tend to hit their stride in October and November.

Looking pretty early is always welcomed, but don't panic Thursday night if they look a little rough around the edges.

Don't worry, they will be hungry.
A rather predictable question players and coaches have heard     regards how they will avoid complacency following a Big Ten championship season. Center Peter Konz has a pretty good answer.  

"As much as I hate to say it," says Konz, "losing the Rose Bowl gives you the sense that you have not fulfilled everything that you wanted. This group of guys, especially the seniors, still feels like we've got something to prove."

"There is something essentially Wisconsin that says, OK, we are still unproven.  None of us is a '5-Star' (recruit), we know that. There should be no question with anybody that the fire is still there."

As long as the Wisconsin Badgers keep that mindset, I believe they always will have a chance to do something special.

Let the games begin.

When the Badgers and UNLV open the college football season next Thursday, there will be joy across the land. In Badger Nation, there is great anticipation and a high preseason ranking. For many, next week cannot get here soon enough.

National media members also cannot wait for Sept. 1. Why? Because they get to report on an actual game, not the many off season problems that have made for a brutal last several months.

Last week's news of an NCAA investigation into the University of Miami's football program is the latest in a string of high-profile schools under the microscope. This one is worse for a couple of reasons. A rogue booster who claims to have given players extra benefits ranging from boat trips to cash tends to make some of the other violations pale in comparison.

But what really makes this one sting is that some of those who must deal with it are folks I know, and more importantly, are folks who had nothing to do with whatever might have happened.

Athletics Director Shawn Eichorst and his right-hand man Steve Waterfield made the move to Coral Gables just four months ago. Football coach Al Golden and basketball coach Jim Larranaga are preparing for their first seasons at Miami. I don't know the coaches personally, but I do know the administrators. Try to imagine what they have walked into at "The U."

Both Golden and Larranaga have excellent reputations. So too do Eichorst and Waterfield. UM President and former UW Chancellor Donna Shalala is very lucky to have them on board. While Eichorst admits there are difficult times ahead, he strikes me as someone who operates on logic far more than on emotion, a trait that will come in handy for the next several months. Shawn Eichorst did not sign up for this mess, but the University of Miami is in good hands with its first year AD.

So how do we fix the on-going problems in college athletics? Earlier this month, NCAA President Mark Emmert had a summit with 50 university presidents. If there are going to be more meetings, it might be a good idea to include some coaches. It also might be a good idea to include those who have broken the rules -- from former coaches, players, boosters, agents and runners -- anyone who is actually part of the problem and is willing to talk about it and be part of the solution.

No offense to those in academia, but I tend to doubt that many have a working knowledge of what really goes on in the high pressure, win big and win now world of major college athletics. I don't say this to insult school presidents.  I just believe their world is a bit different from the average coach.

UW Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez is one of many who says the NCAA rule book is way too thick. Focus on what is most important and enforce those rules accordingly. It is encouraging to note that Emmert agrees with those sentiments.

As for enforcing those rules, it is best to zero in on the party or parties directly responsible, such as coaches who allow such behavior, or any other person of authority who turns a blind eye. Emmert himself has talked about being sensitive to what he calls "collateral damage," in other words, penalizing those who had nothing to do with the violations. People have talked about Miami possibly facing the death penalty, but I tend to doubt that will happen. To be honest, I hope it does not happen.

My hope in all of this is that the NCAA can somehow beef up its enforcement staff, and make it clear that the risk of breaking the rules will far exceed the reward of not getting caught.

In the meantime, is it Game Day yet?

Once again, there are a handful of rules changes in college football, and at least a couple of those changes could create some very interesting scenarios that could go a long way into deciding the outcome of games.

Perhaps the most complex change involves low blocks (see a recent Lucas at Large blog on the subject from Mike Lucas). In a nutshell, the following players can legally block below the waist:

• Backs completely inside the tackle box who are stationary at the snap

• Linemen completely inside the seven-yard limit at the snap (that means seven yards from the middle lineman of a formation)

• Generally speaking, defensive players may block below the waist until the ball has gone more than five yards beyond the line of scrimmage (they cannot block low against an opponent in position to catch a backward pass)

Again, those are the low block rules in a nutshell. It goes deeper than that, but let's avoid turning this into a low block clinic -- I am not smart enough to be an instructor. The key is for the players to get a handle on what they can and cannot do, which has added to the importance of having officials at practice when the Badgers scrimmage.

"In all of my years as a head coach," said Bret Bielema, "we have had more meetings with the officials this year than at any other point."

He adds that the low block rule "will significantly affect the game."  

A couple of other changes will be easier for fans to notice, and perhaps result in more drama.  

The first big change involves unsportsmanlike conduct. For years, rules makers have been trying to put a lid on showboating, and this year, a display of "Hey, look at me!" can take points off the scoreboard.

For example, the offense has a third-and-one from the opponent's 30-yard line. The running back breaks free and is on his way to the end zone. With no defensive player in the vicinity, the running back decides he wants to dive into the end zone from the 2 yard line. If that happens, the offense will be smacked with a 15-yard penalty from the spot of the foul, turning a touchdown into a first-and-10 from the 17-yard line.

Imagine a close game in the final minute or two, and an official has to make that call against the home team.

Another major change is a 10-second runoff after a penalty in the final minute of either half. Bielema says this rule has been "my main summer project -- when to use it. We have a number of tapes. Paul (offensive coordinator Paul Chryst) has met individually, not only with Bill (Big Ten Supervisor of Officials Bill Carollo), but also with a couple of officials who have come here on campus, so there is a lot of dedication to the rule."

An example of how this rule works -- Team A, down by two points, is at Team B's 35-yard line. Trying to get a little closer to kick a field goal, Team A runs a play. The runner is tackled in-bounds at Team B's 28-yard line. With the clock running and just: 08 remaining, Team A races to the line of scrimmage, but is guilty of a false start. The officials throw the flag and stop the clock with: 05 remaining. Team B accepts the penalty and wants the runoff. Game over.

What a way to lose.

There are a few other rules tweaks, some specifically in the name of player safety. One such adjustment is intentional grounding. A passer needs to have an eligible receiver in the area, but the receiver does not need an opportunity to catch the pass. By rule, mere presence is enough to avoid an intentional grounding call.

Those are some of the changes. While everyone tries to figure out the low block rule, I really am interested in how the unsportsmanlike conduct and the 10-second runoff rule will change the course of some close games this season.

As entertaining as college football is already, I have the feeling fans across the country could be in for even more late-game fireworks this fall.

Imagine you are in the third year of your job. You know you still have plenty to learn, but you have gone about your business the right way. You have earned the respect of your bosses and your peers. You seem to have put yourself in position to earn a promotion.

Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, along comes someone with a very impressive skill set and more experience. He joins your "team," and now your promotion may or may not be put on hold.

Welcome to Jon Budmayr's world.

Last spring, most of us probably assumed the redshirt sophomore was in line to be the Badgers' starting quarterback. That was before the UW's biggest off-season story unfolded, with Russell Wilson transferring from NC State to UW.

Now, most observers assume when the season begins on Sept. 1, it will be Wilson at the controls.

Maybe that is how it will be, but there is an old saying about the word "assume"--it can make an (blank) out of you and me. Get it?

Maybe Wilson is the key ingredient to the Badger's offense. Training camp practices will settle that competition, but I get the impression neither Wilson nor Budmayr is assuming anything. At Sunday's media day session, both young men handled wave after wave of questions with nothing but class.

Wilson repeatedly stated that he "is blessed" to be a part of the UW program, and wants to learn as much as he can as quickly as he can.

If this storyline has ticked off Budmayr, he is hiding his anger very well.

"It's good," he says. "Everything, since I've been here, is a learning experience. This is just another one that I am going through. It will help me the rest of my career, and down the road in life."

No doubt a big assist goes to offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, who kept Budmayr up to speed on what was happening as "Russell-mania" was gaining steam.  

"You can kind of control it," Budmayr explained. "If you don't let it become overwhelming, and you just embrace it and go with it, then it can be OK."

Last spring, Budmayr had his ups and downs. Those who watched the spring game walked away wondering about the offense. Keep in mind that many programs keep the defense very vanilla in spring games, with little if any blitzing. The Badgers used a different approach, putting the offense in uncomfortable situations that you might not see in other spring games across the country.   

During the March and April practices, Budmayr had a chance to learn some valuable lessons about on-field decision making. At the conclusion of spring drills, he looked back at practice video. Now, he believes he has a better idea of what he can and cannot do in certain situations.  

Scott Tolzien went through a similar process, and he turned out to be pretty good, right? Budmayr might lack game experience, but he paid close attention to Tolzien's work ethic and preparation.

"Not a day goes by that he (Tolzien) is not focusing on something to get better. Keep working, keep pushing on. Keep trying to get better and improve your skills."

If you are in Jon Budmayr's shoes, it might be easy to pout. He seems to be taking the opposite approach, which is just what any coach would want to see. It makes me wonder how many of us in the "working world" would react the same way in a similar situation.  

Not that I am assuming anything, but do you really believe all of us would have Budmayr's attitude? We can only hope so.

It is true that sports can present life lessons to the participants. Perhaps in this case, it also can teach a life lesson to the rest of us.

To say the least, this has been a wild college football off season. There has been trouble at a variety of schools, including Ohio State. It seemed every week we would hear something unsettling about a well-known program.  

Coaches and administrators at the trouble-free schools breathe a sigh of relief, while at the same time they want to make sure everyone is following the rules.

It reminds me of the incident several years ago when coach George O'Leary had to step down from a dream gig at Notre Dame because of false information on his resume. Just about every other coach in America felt the need to double check his own resume.

Naturally, all the trouble in college football has many critics claiming the game is little more than a cesspool, where nobody cares about anything other than making money. Sure, money matters in college athletics. I think most folks accept that as a fact of life. The mistake occurs when everyone is labeled by the actions of a few.

Badgers fans should feel pretty good about their team. The biggest news story out of Madison this summer is the addition of transfer quarterback Russell Wilson. While the hype surrounding Wilson's arrival has bordered on the extreme, his resume suggests he should be an excellent fit at Wisconsin.

I do not simply mean his on-field stats. Wilson has earned his undergraduate degree, and by all accounts he is a very good teammate.

There is no guarantee that Wilson will be a star with his new team, but his addition is a good, positive story. One national writer said it was refreshing to report something that did not involve the NCAA Committee on Infractions. It is hard to argue with those sentiments.

As another training camp opens, the only thing that concerns me is the hype. Even some national pundits, such as ESPN's Rod Gilmore, have mentioned Wisconsin as a team to watch in the BCS title hunt. Maybe he is right, but I always feel a little better when the Badgers are under the radar.

History supports the argument. In Wisconsin's four Big Ten championship runs of 1993, '98, '99 and 2010, it never was the preseason favorite.  

Fans in these parts can't wait for the historic Big Ten opener against Nebraska, but before the Cornhuskers come to town, the Badgers have at least a couple of tricky non-conference games -- specifically a home tilt with Oregon State, and a Soldier Field date with Northern Illinois, under the direction of former UW defensive coordinator Dave Doeren.

Those back-to-back road night games at Michigan State and Ohio State figure to be extremely difficult. The Spartans, with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, should to be a strong contender in the Legends Division.

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes might be in a difficult period, but if they get through the first five games unscathed, they too could be more than a handful.

While it is easy for the rest of us to wonder whether Ohio State's saga creates a window of opportunity for Wisconsin and everyone else in the Big Ten, Coach Bret Bielema is smart enough to know that thinking about any program other than his own is a waste of time.

Don't get me wrong -- it is hard to blame you for being excited about Wisconsin football. The Badgers have been winning, and by all indications, they have been winning the right way. They have done well in the classroom. They have done wonderful work in the community.

As another season approaches, the hope from this observer is that the Badgers stick to the principals that worked so well a year ago. They won big in 2010. The way they won in 2010 was proof that there are good things going on in college football, and they gave fans plenty of reasons to be very proud.

There always seem to be a handful of plays that make or break a season. Last fall most of those plays went the Badgers' way, but as long as the Badgers stick to their principals, they have a very good chance of having another successful season.

By Linda Lepay
Mrs. Voice of the Badgers

Mrs. Voice is here again to close out another Badger sports season. The Voice has already begun his post-season antics, which include watching his beloved Cincinnati Reds, the NBA playoffs and The Weather Channel.  

I'm often asked how Matt became a sports announcer because, let's face it, this is not your typical cubicle-dwelling career path. There's a certain combination of education, experience, luck and plain stubbornness that plays a role in having what many would consider a "dream" job.

I've devised a quiz to help determine if you have the interest and instinct to perhaps be a play-by-play announcer.

1. In college you study:
    a)  journalism
    b)  communications
    c)  study?!

2. You analyze and imitate the voice of:
    a)  Al Michaels
    b)  Gus Johnson
    c)  The Situation

3. The most inspiring sports movie is:
    a)  Field of Dreams
    b)  The Blind Side
    c)  Caddyshack

4. To prepare for a football game you:
    a)  attend practice
    b)  study game tape
    c)  play EA Sports NCAA Football

5. The rule of thumb on game day is:
    a)  be uber-prepared
    b)  decorum in the press box
    c)  saunter into the booth about five minutes before kickoff/tipoff

6. In the off-season you typically
    a)  emcee a number of events
    b)  take part in charity outings
    c)  watch Spike TV

If you answered mostly C you won't have a career as a sports announcer but you will be the life of any party.

If you answered A or B you may have the aptitude to make a go of it. Keep in mind there is no money in the early years and you work long hours, which averages out to an income of, oh, fifty cents per hour. Actors make better money and average more gigs than aspiring PBP guys.

Or you can live vicariously by following your favorite sportscasters. This is often more lucrative, allowing you free time to be a fan.

Summer allows Matt to keep a more reasonable schedule, watch the endless NBA playoffs and do things besides sports. I am happy to spend extra time with him. Okay, I'm happy to spend all that time with him until late July when he needs to get back to his in-season schedule.

Ask any sports media wife and she'll agree that all the together time is great -- for awhile. We wives are an independent bunch and not accustomed to having them home. All the time. Wanting dinner. Watching sports on TV (did I mention the NBA playoffs?).

We hope you have a terrific summer full of warm weather (there will be warm weather, right?) and fun activities. Keep your dreams alive.

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Note: Matt Lepay's regular "The Voice" blog will return this fall.