From Bruce Feldman's mailbag: 

I certainly do think there's the potential for this team to make a BCS title run. Scott Tolzien has developed pretty nicely at quarterback. He still has to cut down on the turnovers, but he had only three interceptions over the final six games of the season, and the Badgers averaged around 36 points per game in that stretch.

Better still, this will be a very solid, senior-led team with talented O-linemen and good receivers. RB John Clay is a force and a legit Heisman contender, and the D returns playmakers at all three levels. They should cruise through four nonconference games -- the toughest is a visit from Arizona State, a team that went 4-8 in 2009. Ohio State has to come to Madison, and there is no Penn State. Besides the Buckeyes, the trickiest game is the week after OSU, when the Badgers have to visit Iowa, which I also expect to be very good. But as I said, I like the experience on this Wisconsin team.

Thoughts from ESPN's Todd McShay on O'Brien Scholfield

 • Wisconsin's O'Brien Schofield is expected to move from end to linebacker in the NFL and he started making the transition this week in practice. Quickness and straight-line speed do not appear to be an issue. He can close quickly in the short area and he ran with TE Andrew Quarless on one play.

On the other hand, Schofield stumbled once when asked to change directions during bag work and looked stiff in space during the team period. In fact, the East coaching staff lined him up on the inside at times. Additionally, he's clearly a raw linebacker. He is taking too shallow of an angle when asked to drop into the flat, he doesn't time his jumps well in coverage and is taking a split-second too long to locate the ball in run defense. It will be interesting to see how he progresses during the week.

01/23 - Update on OB - LB O'Brien Schofield, Wisconsin
We've talked all week about Schofield's transition from end to linebacker here and it looks like he's getting more and more comfortable in the new position. He's reacting and just playing now instead of needing that split second to think about what he's supposed to be doing. He has good, quick feet. Maybe the quickest feet on anyone here and that will help him. Give him lots of credit for hanging in there in what had to be a frustrating week at times and for getting better and better as the week went on. Coaches have to be looking at this and thinking they saw the worst part of his game but he continued to work and get better and better and ultimately he has a chance to be the best linebacker from this group.

 

Before the Packer game last night I was listening to the radio when I heard the broadcaster say "Aaron Rodgers had to face adversity replacing a legend" and my initial thought was "that's true", then I thought.... 

Madison - Some thoughts (or tweets) while watching the Champs Sports Bowl:

--Sam Shields is fast and the Badgers coverage team continues to be awful, that has to change next year. 

--Graig Cooper is super fast just ask the Badgers defense.

--John Clay is off to a nice start and the offense is doing a good job of using the play action to pass.

--What is Kraig Appleton thinking?

--The Canes look rusty.

--UW can't have turnovers, tough pick by Tolzien.

--Big run by Clay, he's a beast! You can't run Kendricks on a end around against the 'Canes they are way too fast.

--Clay is running so well he may go pro off the momentum.

--The Badgers D-line looks great so far...I remember Jimmy Graham from UM basketball.

--You'd think that the "U" would cover Kendricks..that knee buckle did not look good for Cooper.

--Slight limp for Clay, not good....wow you would think Kendricks would be covered by the 'Canes....poor punt from Nortman.

--Harris may not make it through the game....why are the 'Canes throwing so much? Appleton is getting a lot of playing time, not good that Clay is still out.

--The Badgers look stronger than the "U"..Sherer not Welch set to kick(fake kick?)...the cold and the sloppy field is hurting the 'Canes.

--Ball is going to be another good UW back....Paul Chyrst is a great coordinator...Did Miami not scout the Tight Ends for the Badgers? 

--Rough game for Appleton...devastating fumble from Graham, I hope it doesn't come back to haunt the Badgers...Borland is a freak

--What is Brinkley thinking, you knew he was running outside and then you add on a late hit. JJ Watt with a big fumble recovery

--Big play for the "U" can the get the onside kick....yes....huge stand by the "D"

--The Badgers end their season with 10 wins and a win over a top 25 team, great season! 

I know that most people might dismiss this piece based on the perceived bias from a Bears fan (me) but understand I'm not trying to make the case that Jay Cutler is better than Rodgers, instead I'm making the case that Rodgers is good but not the best..yet.

The purpose of this blog is to point out that, yes, Rodgers is very good but people in Wisconsin are too close to the situation. I know some like to point out what national pundits have to say about Rodgers but you're glossing over the fact Philip Rivers, Tony Romo and Matt Ryan also receive praise, not to mention Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Donovan McNabb Tom Brady and other established QB's.

Romo was the media darling a few years ago then he hit a rough patch and is only now shaking his negative reputation, Matt Ryan has fallen off the map because of an injury, Rivers plays in a different time zone than most. My point being that Rodgers may get to the Brees, Manning, Brady, Favre level but right now he's at the Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers, Tony Romo level.

Aaron Rodgers: 3,579 yards with 25 TD's 7 INT's (9-4) 

Tony Romo: 3,886 yards with 23 TD's 7 INT's (9-5)

Philip Rivers: 3,583 yards with 22 TD's 7 INT's (10-3)

Others: Matt Ryan(great start but will need to bounce back), Matt Schaub(up and down career), Eli Manning(needs great players at the WR position), Ben Rothlisberger (winner with average stats).

I would say right now Romo, Rodgers and Rivers are all poised to take the next step but don't forget older QB's who have been good and sometimes great in their careers.

Donovan McNabb: 2,702 yards 18 TD's 7 INT's (9-4)

Kurt Warner: 3,183 yards 23 TD's 13 INT's (8-5)

Yes, other factors can play into what makes a QB good or bad but don't think Rodgers has it the toughest of the group, his overall running game is average and way better than the Chargers, his defense puts his offense in good position, and his o-line has gotten better. 

Running game: Dallas (6th), Green Bay (13th), San Diego (31st)

Defense: Packers (2nd), Chargers (12th), Cowboys (16th)

Again, I'm not trying to tear down Rodgers instead I'm trying to point out that he's near the top of a group of young QB's who are poised to make the step to greatness. I'd also like to point out that he's not alone in that group and might not be the number one guy in the group. Also, the ride might not be perfect the whole way up (ask Romo, Manning, Rothlisberger, Manning, Ryan, McNabb or Warner) he may have bumps along the way but that's what will prove that he is great, if he can get through the bumps.

To make my point, right now nobody would say that Jay Cutler is better than Aaron Rodgers but at the beginning of the season some tried to make that case. I'm not saying that people are wrong on Rodgers or Cutler but one bad season with some suspect talent and you can fall off the map altogether. 

The name Mark Ingram should sound familiar to Packer fans because he played for the Green and Gold during the 1995 season and this past Saturday his son, Mark Ingram Jr, won the Heisman Trophy.

Click here for more about the Alabama star and his father the former Packer.