The honeymoon is over in Madison for football coach Bret Bielema (pictured). His Wisconsin Badgers are off to an 0-3 Big Ten start after their 48-7 loss to Penn State on Saturday night. Prior to Saturday, the Badgers lost Big Ten games to Michigan and Ohio State. Following the Ohio State game, Badger fans could show their displeasure by going to the recently created website www.firebretbielema.com .
It's the first time since Bielema arrived in Madison that he's had to face any kind of real adversity. Now is the time we'll find out just what kind of coach Bielema is. His Badgers play at Iowa this week, trying to avoid a 4-game losing streak to start Big Ten play. The last time they'd lost three straight was in 2004
Bielema must make a quarterback switch to have a chance. Allan Evridge completed just two passes in the first half and threw an interception. He was replaced in the second half by Dustin Sherer, who could start this week. Neither quarterback was sharp this week with the two combining for only 165 passing yards.
There's no shame in losing to Penn State. They're one of the best teams in the country. But to lose 48-7, when you're already 0-2 in the Big Ten, there's no excuse for that. Now Bret Bielema has to hope his team buys into the 1-0 mentality and digs itself out of the big time hole they're in.