A Fitting End to the Wisconsin Season

I cannot think of a more fitting ending to the Wisconsin season. The fact that they lost on a failed 2 point conversion is simply karma. Earlier this year Wisconsin made headlines by going for a two point conversion late in the game against Minnesota despite being up 16 points. Honestly, I did not have a major problem with that decision by Coach Bielema but a lot of people did including Coach Brewster of Minnesota (see postgame reaction).

Going for a little two point conversion at the end of a fairly close game is not a big deal in my book. Beating Indiana 83 to 20 and beating Austin Peay 70 to 3 is pushing it. Considering Wisconsin was still throwing the ball despite being up over 50 points in each of these games was a little ridiculous in my opinion. Personally, I believe when you play NCAA football there is no such thing as running the score up. We are no longer in 3^rd grade. It is the other team's job to stop you. With that being said, even in the style points BCS era, there is a time and place to take your foot off the gas pedal.

Coach Bielema probably should have applied the brakes in a few games this season. When you are up over 50 points on a far inferior team, there are 2 rules you should play by. First, do not pass at all. I don't care if you want to give your backup reps. Reps in a meaningless game are meaningless. Second, instruct your players to find a way to get tackled. If the other team cannot catch your players, tell your players to find a player on the opposing team and run directly into that player. If running into that player cannot knock your player down, instruct your player to earn a Golden Globe nomination by making it look like it did.

Bielema and Wisconsin embarrassed a few programs this year and while I am all about beating your opponent into the ground there is a time when you stop digging with a shovel and dig with a rake. That metaphor is far from perfect but you get the point. I have stated the case all year that certain non-AQ schools could definitely play with the big boys. Unfortunately, my grandmother can kick field goals better than Kyle Brontzman so we did not get to see Boise State in the big show. Grandma, that was not an insult towards you. Hey Wisconsin, have you met my friend karma. Even despite the extra practice the best Big 10 school could not gain 2.5 yards against a Mountain West opponent. Congrats to TCU on a hard fought victory.