UW, UT face off on New Year’s
While it isn’t the bowl game some thought Wisconsin might be competing in after entering the season with the No. 7 ranking in hand, the Outback Bowl marks the fourth consecutive year the Badgers will play on New Year’s Day.
That’s something UW head coach Bret Bielema says the program can take pride in.
“What we want to do is play Jan. 1,” Bielema said. “I think it’s a great stat that we’re one of three teams in the country to play on Jan. 1 for the last four years — USC and West Virginia, I think [are the other two]. It speaks for itself when you have that type of exposure and that type of program.”
On Jan. 1, Wisconsin (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten) will attempt to end its season on a high note when it takes on Tennessee (9-4, 6-2 SEC). But it must do so without the services of starting running back P.J. Hill, who is set to miss his second consecutive game and third overall with a nagging lower left leg injury.
Freshman Zach Brown, as was the case to conclude the year, will get the start, with sophomore Lance Smith serving as his backup. For the latter, the Outback Bowl serves as the first opportunity he can travel with the team this year after a suspension prevented him from partaking in any Badger road games during the regular season.
Per the norm, the Badgers will look to set the pace of the game with Brown, Smith and their ground attack on offense. The Volunteers will counter with a potent passing attack, led by play-caller Erik Ainge. The senior has thrown for 3,157 yards and 29 touchdowns already this year and is dangerous with the football.
“I realize they have very gifted athletes,” Bielema said. “The quarterback Erik Ainge is very gifted.”
Erik Ainge will certainly provide a different look from the run-oriented Razorback offense that the Badgers faced last year in their date with New Year’s Day at the Capital One Bowl. Or even what they faced this season in a run-heavy Big Ten.
“Arkansas was a dramatically different bird because their best players were the running backs; the quarterbacks were kind of subbing in and out,” Bielema said. “Obviously because of Erik Ainge and what he’s able to do with the throwing game, it’s a little different there.”
Still, the Volunteers have a capable back in junior Arian Foster. The hard runner has 1,162 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
The allure of the Outback Bowl is that it pits the Big Ten versus the SEC. Bielema, however, approaches the conference clash as he would any other game.
“I don’t really see a conference, I see an opponent,” Bielema said. “People are going to make an issue of the SEC versus the Big Ten. We’re only playing Tennessee. We’re not playing Auburn, we’re not playing Georgia, we’re not playing LSU or anybody else.”
The Badgers may not have met preseason expectations, that much is true. But from Bielema’s standpoint, to have finished where the team did and earn another Jan. 1 bowl berth given all that it has endured this year, is worth something.
“This season showed me probably more than anything how well they believed in ‘the next man in’ and the ability to do the job,” Bielema said.
Henry’s status uncertain
According to a team source, Henry was injured during practice Sunday and has not practiced since. Henry has also reportedly been seen using crutches to get around campus in the days since.
A team spokesman said Wednesday UW head coach Bret Bielema had no comment on the matter, and Bielema is not scheduled to speak with the press again until Friday.
A potential loss of Henry would be bad news for an already-depleted Wisconsin secondary. Henry had taken over starting duties from Allen Langford, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the team’s third-to-last regular season game.
It would be especially damaging considering Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge was the SEC’s second-leading passer this season, throwing for 3,157 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Senior Ben Strickland or junior Josh Nettles would be the most likely candidates to replace Henry.
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