The 2009 football season officially starts today at 3:50 p.m. when the Wisconsin Badgers open their first practice of the season at Camp Randall Stadium.
Finally! Trust me, eeking out content on this site all summer long has been no easy task. From today until late March we're going to have plenty to talk about on Bucky's 5th Quarter.
What's on tap for camp
As camp opens, here's what you can expect:
After completely closing the media's access to practice last season, Bret Bielema has graciously opened up practice from Aug. 17 to Aug. 25. That is going to give us all a better idea of what's going on as Bielema sets up his final two-deep depth chart 10 days before the opener (Aug. 26).
I will personally be attending a few of those open practices, although when is yet to be determined.
For the first week, we are going to have to go strictly off post-practice interviews from coaches and players and every day we will have all the links to the stories that come out of camp.
Questions, questions, questions
Every camp opens with questions. The difference between a good football team and a bad football team depends on how many of those questions get answered before the season opener.
In Wisconsin's case, the following questions need to be answered before Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. when UW hosts Northern Illinois:
1) Has Dustin Sherer developed into a Big Ten-caliber quarterback capable of leading the Badgers back to a New Year's Day bowl game? If not, are freshmen Curt Phillips or Jon Budmayr good enough to take over the reigns this season?
2) Who will fill the void left by the departed Jonathan Casillas and DeAndre Levy at linebacker? Are Blake Sorensen and Mike Taylor ready?
3) Are there any young guys capable of fixing the serious depth issue apparent on the defensive line?
4) Who starts opposite of Aaron Henry at the other cornerback position?
5) Are any of the veteran members of the secondary (Aubrey Pleasant, Shane Carter, Jay Valai, Chris Maragos) ready to put together an all-conference season?
6) Is Josh Oglesby the real deal or a bust?
7) Can Jake Bscherer cut it at guard?
8) Who will start at fullback? Will Mickey Turner have to become a make-shift fullback?
9) Which formerly young wide receiver (David Gilreath, Issac Anderson, Kyle Jefferson) becomes a dependable go-to veteran? Will Nick Toon be that guy as a sophomore?
10) Which incoming freshmen earn playing time with a solid camp?
What questions do you want to see answered in the coming weeks? Leave them here and we will see if they get answered as we break down camp on a daily basis.