Badger Bits: Clay may still play against Indiana

It's Wednesday, which means that Badger football returns to Camp Randall for the first time in three weeks on Saturday. I don't think I could be more excited. Anyway, here are some Badger Bits to get your morning started off right.

All of the talk about running back John Clay being unavailable for Saturday's game against Indiana may have been a bit premature, according to Tom Mulhern of Madison.com. Clay suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee last week against Purdue, and did not return to the game. However, it seems as though Clay has been recovering faster than expected, according to Bret Bielema:

"My guess, by the reaction John had, he’s going to be ready to play," Bielema said early Tuesday afternoon on the Big Ten Conference coaches’ teleconference. "He’s a guy that takes a lot of pride in playing. He was ready to play (last) Saturday."

Obviously, Clay being able to play on Saturday would be a boon to offensive coordinator Paul Chryst. Chryst would have had to count on Montee Ball to carry Clay's workload for a second week, on top of hoping that freshman running back James White was back to full strength after sustaining a knee injury against Iowa.

More Badger Bits after the jump!

Check out Tuesday's interview on UWBadgers.com with running back James White and offensive lineman Bill Nagy.

Tom Mulhern of Madison.com tries to answer some of the questions facing the BCS computer polls, and how they will affect the Badgers as we move towards the end of the season.

Madison.com also has posted their "UW football question of the week."

Andy Baggot of Madison.com talks about the struggles of the Indiana football team as they try to pull themselves out of the basement of the Big Ten standings.

Jeff Potrykus of the Journal-Sentinel gives Badger fans the book on Indiana.

Hockey

Freshman Mark Zengerle was named the WCHA's Rookie of the Week on Tuesday. Zengerle is currently tied for the WCHA lead with 16 points so far this season.

Chuck Schwartz at Sixty Minutes. No Alibis. No Regrets. has his thoughts and predictions up for North Dakota week. The Sioux will go to the Kohl Center to take on the Badgers at 7 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Basketball

Dave Heller of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has found some way-too-early-but-still-published NCAA tournament predictions.