Wisconsin Football: The Offseason 'To Do' List for the Badgers

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A football program is a dynamic organism. It continually changes and evolves, and its caretakers must constantly attend to its needs and wants.

The University of Wisconsin football team and its support staff know that challenge all too well, even when no players are in the locker room, in film study or on the field.

By some accounts, the drama surrounding the Badgers has only increased this off-season with a wayward administrator, coaching hires and a budding feud in the Big Ten. That drama cannot turn into distraction though because the team has plenty to get done before kicking off its 2012 season.  

Some projects need to be checked off the list right away, while others are long-term goals. Either way, games this fall can be won through the preparation put forth this winter. 

1. Get to Know Each Other

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Wisconsin had to replace a bulk of its staff, and with the addition of tight ends coach Eddie Faulkner, the Badgers have effectively reloaded its assistant and coordinator corps. 

Now, everyone has to learn how to work with one another. 

Luckily, not every face is new to one another. Faulkner actually coached under new offensive coordinator Matt Canada at Northern Illinois University. But the remainder of the staff will have to get used to each other's styles in a hurry.

The coaching chemistry on the sideline is still referenced as one of the catalysts to the Badgers' recent successes. Bielema will need to find a way to recapture that sense of teamwork while simultaneously instilling his own philosophies into this new set of pigskin professionals. 

2. Shut Up and Recruit

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Bielema is still toweling off from the splash Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer made on National Signing Day. 

Meyer came onto the Big Ten recruiting scene and stole recruits and headlines. Bielema's finger-pointing had the media spoiling for a fight and also led to the resurgence of a 'recruiting pact' rumor. 

All of a sudden, Meyer is the mean kid on the playground. But this is college football. The mean kid usually wins. Bielema needs to prove he is tougher than he sounds and can recruit with the best of them.

The only thing verbal Bielema should pursue are commitments. 

3. Set Expectations

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For good or for bad, Wisconsin fans are used to winning. 

2012 may be a rude awakening. 

The upcoming season may be dubbed the greatest excuse in sports: "a rebuilding year." But the fact of the matter is no one ever wants to rebuild, ever. Key positions on both offense and defense have giant holes to fill with no real saviors in sight.

Bielema would do well to prepare the Wisconsin faithful for an up-and-down season. 

4. Reload and Refocus

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The ability to replenish its ranks year after year separates great teams from great programs. 

Russell Wilson is gone and he is never coming back. Don't expect center Peter Konz to walk through the door either. Punter Brad Nortman will only be returning to tailgate for homecoming, while kicker Phillip Welch will visit when he can. 

That is the sobering reality of the Wisconsin depth chart, a reality that will be replayed every game in the upcoming season. With no all-star transfers looming on the horizon, the Badgers need to look inward in order to reload for 2012.

The biggest needs include developing a new quarterback, installing new offensive linemen and overhauling the secondary. 

5. Get Faster and Stronger

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The off-season plays a crucial role for teams when it comes to conditioning. Freshmen are baptized into the college football ranks through demanding weight room sessions, while veterans try to outdo last year's performance. 

Wisconsin players are no slouch when it comes to working out and could most likely take on any team in a bench press competition.

But the Badgers need to work on defensive speed in order to combat the run-happy quarterbacks invading the conference.