You can never have too much of a good thing, right? The Badgers already have one home night game scheduled for the 2011 season- they're scheduled to kick off the 2011 season on Thursday, Sept. 1 against UNLV. However, it looks like another night game could be on the horizon for Wisconsin.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers will play their inaugural Big Ten conference game on Oct. 1 in Madison, and according to Jeff Potrykus of the Journal-Sentinel, there have been talks about moving that game to an evening time slot. Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema mentioned that little factoid during his weekly press conference, which you can check out here.
Making the conference opener a night game would certainly add to the Badgers' national visibility. The UNLV game is already scheduled for national TV, and I'm willing to bet the Wisconsin-Ohio State rematch will be broadcast nationally as well if both teams are playing well. Throw in a potential Big Ten Championship Game and a bowl game, and it looks like the Badgers may be all over the nation's TV sets next year.
More Badger Bits after the jump!
Bad news on the injury front: according to Brandon Harrison of Badger 24/7, Wisconsin wide receiver Marquis Mason has torn both his ACL and his meniscus in three places, and will be out for all of the 2011 season. Wideout is one position the Badgers could least afford an injury, so Mason's injury is unfortunate for the Badgers.
Tom Mulhern of Madison.com writes that former Wisconsin safety Jay Valai will be turning off rounds four through seven of the NFL draft.
Potrykus also writes that backup cornerback Marcus Cromartie is showing both progress and his serious side.
Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.com writes that being in the Leaders division has helped the Badgers' recruiting. He also has a post noting his take on the Badgers' spring practices.
Mulhern writes that health is defensive end Brendan Kelly's biggest remaining hurdle.
Bret Bielema is taking a close look at some of the rule changes for the 2011 season, according to Madison.com.
The UW Athletic Department is playing the waiting game when it comes to women's hockey head coach Mark Johnson.
Wisconsin men's basketball coach Bo Ryan says a lot of teams want to be like the Badgers.