Wisconsin knew they weren’t going to smelling the roses this winter. After the last three years in mid-level bowls, Wisconsin returns to the bright lights playing in their first-ever Cotton Bowl against Western Michigan. Some might call this is a bummer given the Cotton Bowl isn’t as significant as some of the other bowls, yet this is still a major accomplishment for a Badgers team some thought might struggle to win seven games this season.

Let’s think back to August when people looked at Wisconsin and thought ‘They’re a year away from being special.’ Corey Clement and Vince Biegel led the team as seniors, but the reality was Badgers have nearly their entire team back next season. ‘Oh their schedule is too tough to do anything.’ Remember, everyone worried about Wisconsin who played Michigan State-Michigan-Ohio State-Iowa-Nebraska to start their Big Ten season. They ended up with a 3-2 record and oh yeah, they beat LSU in the opening game of the season. Badgers handled their schedule better than any team in the nation. They had a great attitude about playing anyone at any team.

For these reasons, Badgers should not be sulking today at Cotton Bowl. Sure, it’s not what you wanted, but people would have thought someone was taking drugs if he or she put Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl in September. Wisconsin accomplished so much this season, and they should be proud of what’s been built for the years to come with this program. Badgers have a chance to make a statement against Cinderella of college football -Western Michigan and show college football they are ready for next season. But if Badgers fall to Row The Boat, it’s not the worst thing in the world. They still had a huge season and overachieved greatly. Wisconsin is in a house-money situation.

Roses are nice, so is California, but Dallas will have it rocking with Badger red.

Charlie.