Folks I understand the frustration you have watching this team and program. I graduated from Ohio State in 1987 and at that time and for a few years after that, Wisconsin was where your program is now. Then......Barry Alvarez arrived around 1990. He went out and got good solid 2 and mostly 3 star guys(a 4 star guy here and there) and built a team and identity on running the football and being physical in the trenches. They didn't have the skill or speed of a Penn State, Ohio State or Michigan - but they always played with great effort and toughness and made you have to play your best to win. Over the years Wisconsin has continued on with this theme and approach. However because of their continued consistent success, they've been able to attract better and better skill throughout the years to compliment their physical style to where now they are one of most consistent Top 15 programs in the country. This took time...it didn't happen right away. But before the Alvarez era, they were a program down in the dumps.
The one thing that Wisconsin doesn't have going in its favor, as compared to the State University of New Jersey, is talent in its home state. Yeah...maybe where Rutgers is right now....maybe you don't keep the prolific 4 & 5 * Jersey prospects....but maybe the goal is you get 1 or 2 once in a while. Meanwhile, hammer home the 3* guys like Michigan State and Iowa does currently. Build your program with those hungry players that after 2-3 years in the program and weight room can get you to a point where you're consistently bowling. It's a phase thing....you aren't going to go from a couple of victories a year to 8 overnight.
What I saw last Saturday is a team that gives good effort...and has a few good looking B1G caliber players...but not nearly enough. It won't matter if you have Chris Ash, or Greg Schiano, or Bill Parcells as your coach - in the end you are mainly limited at this point from a personnel standpoint. Georgetown basketball could completely change the fortunes of their basketball program with one Mr. Patrick Ewing.....with football it takes years and multiple solid classes to really change the landscape. - 10 Point Buck
The one thing that Wisconsin doesn't have going in its favor, as compared to the State University of New Jersey, is talent in its home state. Yeah...maybe where Rutgers is right now....maybe you don't keep the prolific 4 & 5 * Jersey prospects....but maybe the goal is you get 1 or 2 once in a while. Meanwhile, hammer home the 3* guys like Michigan State and Iowa does currently. Build your program with those hungry players that after 2-3 years in the program and weight room can get you to a point where you're consistently bowling. It's a phase thing....you aren't going to go from a couple of victories a year to 8 overnight.
What I saw last Saturday is a team that gives good effort...and has a few good looking B1G caliber players...but not nearly enough. It won't matter if you have Chris Ash, or Greg Schiano, or Bill Parcells as your coach - in the end you are mainly limited at this point from a personnel standpoint. Georgetown basketball could completely change the fortunes of their basketball program with one Mr. Patrick Ewing.....with football it takes years and multiple solid classes to really change the landscape. - 10 Point Buck
