College Football 2011: Russell Wilson Chooses Wisconsin Over Auburn, Baseball

The 2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team just got a whole lot better. With quarterback arguably being the biggest concern for Badger fans this fall, that fear has disappeared in the blink of an eye, and it's all because of one man: Russell Wilson.

On June 27, Wilson announced that he would be transferring to Wisconsin and, in doing so, filling the void at quarterback that had been worrying Badger fans so much ever since Scott Tolzien left.

Wisconsin has had its eye on Wilson for a while now, ever since he announced that he was considering the school following his departure from N.C. State. Along with Wisconsin, Wilson also announced that he was considering playing minor league baseball or attending Auburn University.

He decided to turn down both baseball and the defending national champions to hopefully win a Big Ten Championship and play in a Rose Bowl at Wisconsin. However, Badger fans aren't thinking Rose Bowl anymore; they now have their eyes set on a bigger goal.

After losing a heart breaker in last year's Rose Bowl to TCU, you'd think Wisconsin would have taken a small step back this year, considering how the Badgers are losing some of their best players in Scott Tolzien, John Clay and J.J. Watt.

Not only was Wisconsin probably going to be a little weaker this year, but it also looked like nobody would be able to touch Ohio State, as they were clearly the front runner in the newly-anointed Leaders Division. It didn't stay that way for long, though, as sheer chaos hit Ohio State, causing Jim Tressel to resign and Terrelle Pryor to leave school.

With Ohio State in a mess, Wisconsin became the trendy pick to win the Leaders Division.  Now, with Russell Wilson aboard, they are the clear-cut favorite to win their division, are likely to take the Big Ten title, and are national title contenders. Bret Bielema has truly taken this program to a whole new level.

Just take one look at this team and it's hard not to like them. Russell Wilson brings a whole new dimension at quarterback that Wisconsin hasn't had in a very long time. James White and Montee Ball, who will be running the ball behind him, give the Badgers one of the best running back duos in the country. 

People will worry about the offensive line because of the departures of Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt, but this line will be fine with new stars waiting to emerge, particularly Peter Konz and Kevin Zeitler.

On the defensive line, Louis Nzegwu is back for his senior year, and projected starters David Gilbert and Jordon Kohout were both former 4 star recruits.

The Badgers get a huge boost at linebacker with the return of Chris Borland from injury. The secondary is very experienced with Devin Smith, Antonio Fenelus, and Aaron Henry.

This should be a very exciting fall for Badger fans, as they will undoubtedly be one of the best teams in the nation. Barring injury, the only thing that could keep them from competing for a national title would be a tough schedule, with road trips to Ohio State, Illinois, and Michigan State, and home meetings with Nebraska and Penn State.

Regardless, it should be a very exciting fall for Wisconsin fans.