Wisconsin Football: 10 Presents the Badgers Would Like to See Under the Tree

Bret Bielema is the guy who has everything: He has the Heisman finalist, the bulldozing offense, a trip to the Rose Bowl, the unequivocal support of his university and the 2011 Big Ten championship trophy. 

What more could he and the Badgers want? What more could they need?

The answer is a lot, and you won't find any of the items on their wishlist on Amazon. 

The 2011 football season was especially good to the University of Wisconsin Badgers. The program continues to climb, to gain exposure and recognition. But the Badgers hope the rich can get richer, as the system is poised to make the leap and truly evolve into an elite competitor. 

Health

Football is a game of collision and violence. Consequently, it is also a game that keeps physical trainers and athletic tape companies in business. 

Over the course of the season, players get hurt. It is a simple unavoidable byproduct of having 300-lbs. men collide, but the time between the last regular season game and the bowl game is a great recovery period. Bodies have time to heal and the Badgers have a chance to return players like Peter Konz to the lineup. 

Wisconsin will need fresh legs and limber muscles to keep up with the track team in pads known as the University of Oregon football team. 

A New Offensive Coordinator

It seems as though Pitt and Wisconsin have developed some sort of reciprocal pipeline for coaches and players.

First, running back Zach Brown transferred to the Panthers this year to get out from under a logjam at the position. 

Next, Pitt tight end Brock DeCicco became a Badger.

Lastly, Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst finds himself sitting in the captain's chair in Pittsburgh. 

Wisconsin will need a superstar to fill Chryst's shoes. who many believe is the main reason for the team's recent successes. Chryst will reportedly coach in the Rose Bowl, but a clear and qualified candidate moving forward will help quell recruit and player questions. 

Kickoff and Punting Coverage

The Wisconsin special teams are anything but consistent. Moments like the Big Ten Championship game reminded everyone that Brad Nortman is a great punter, and an Oscar-worthy performer. 

Most of the time, though, the Wisconsin kickoff and punting coverage would give sieves a bad name. Great athlete like Keshawn Martin feasted on the Badgers' apparent ineptitude when it came to tackling the ball carrier. The Ducks probably feel like Christmas has come early for their returners watching Wisconsin game film. 

Hopefully, Santa has a few schemes in his sleigh to help the otherwise solid Wisconsin team win the field position battle. 

A Quarterback of the Future

Russell Wilson's decision to come to Wisconsin was truly Christmas in July, or rather late June. It was also New Year's Eve and the staff's collective birthdays all rolled into one when the NC State transfer settled on Madison. 

But Wilson's presence at Wisconsin will be fleeting, even though his legacy will be anything but. 

The quarterback cupboards at Camp Randall are fairly bare. Dayne Crist will not be trading his golden helmet for a flying "W." Backup Jon Budmayr seems to have caught the recurring injury bug from fellow QB Curt Phillips. Joe Brennan seems to have some talent, as long as the nerves and anxiety don't doom him first. 

Wisconsin's hope may lie in prep superstar Bart Houston. Beyond the physical tools, Houston has charisma and sounds like a leader. He will only be a freshman come the 2012 season, so the Badgers may be in for a rude awakening next year. 

Big Play Prevention

Wisconsin has the distinction of being involved in one of the biggest plays of the year, twice. Two consecutive Hail Mary's sunk the Badgers' national championship hopes, and fans are hoping similar plays won't torpedo their memories of Pasadena. 

The secondary has been much maligned, but this collection of defensive backs and safeties have quietly contributed to a defense that became a turnover machine. The outcome of this game will most likely rest in their hands, perhaps once again in the waning seconds with a tight score. 

Pep in Their Step

The Wisconsin defensive line is a microcosm of the entire team: solid, dogged players who work their assignments without a lot of flash.

This year, the line has played admirably without the presence of a major defensive disruptor like J.J. Watt or O'Brien Schofield. But "admirably" will not get it done in the Rose Bowl. The Badgers need an upgrade in velocity, and they need it now. 

The Ducks are known for their fleet feet, deceptive motions and ability to get to the edge. The Badgers will have to find a balance between covering the gaps while being able to pursue quickly when LaMichael James emerges from the pile. Linebackers Mike Taylor and Chris Borland have enough thrust to keep the Ducks contained somewhat, but the defensive line will need to be the star of the show. 

New Threads

If the Rose Bowl was a fashion show, University of Oregon would be the headliner and the Badgers wouldn't even be allowed in the tent. Neither classic nor modern, the Badgers' threads feel like they are stuck in the '90s and could use a revamp, sans red pants.

Adidas is not known for dressing up its sponsored schools as much as the Nike group of schools, but a new look may give the Badgers a little more confidence.

Just don't hire the crew who transformed Maryland's look earlier this year. 

Strong Recruiting Class

Back-to-back Big Ten Championships start on signing day, and Wisconsin knows it. While never a national player for big-time recruits, the subtle science of a Wisconsin recruit is easy enough to discern.

The player must be high-motor, highly intelligent and highly humble to be considered a candidate to wear the cardinal and white.

The projected 2012 class has a strong contingent of players that fit this mold, but the team needs a good defensive end recruit to make it complete.  

Better Scheduling

Scheduling college football games is an unenviable task. Part politics, part economics and part ratings, the formula to decide a team's non-conference slate is a delicate balance between legitimate contenders and easy wins. 

In 2011, the Badgers schedule was ridiculed as soft. 

Those critics are going to get louder in 2012, with Utah State, UTEP and Northern Iowa facing Wisconsin early on. Teams like LSU work to create a compelling list of competitors, and the Badgers seemingly take the lowest hanging fruit when it comes to match-ups.

Sexier games will only mean more exposure, bigger ratings and stronger ticket sales.

A Rose Bowl Win

Validation waits in Pasadena.

So does the immense challenge of containing an electrifying University of Oregon. 

A win in the Rose Bowl would be he biggest gift anyone in the Wisconsin program could ever ask for.

Will the Badgers deliver, or will only coal greet the team in California?