| *Wisconsin looks for late push to 10-win season*
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By COLIN FLY
AP Sports Writer
MILWAUKEE(AP) -- No. 24 Wisconsin cracked the Top 25 this week and
has a remaining schedule that sets up nicely for a strong push
to the finish.
The Badgers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) won four of their first five
games by eight points or less and were the only FBS team to be
undefeated and unranked a month ago.
Losses to Ohio State and Iowa followed and took the luster off
the fast start, but Wisconsin routed Purdue 37-0 on Saturday and
now could be favored in every game it has left, even though
three are on the road.
"I think a large reason that we moved up so quickly was because
it was a 37-0 win," coach Bret Bielema said Monday at his weekly
news conference from Madison. "If it was still 37-24, I would
think it was a pretty impressive win."
All four of Wisconsin's remaining opponents are hovering around
.500 and have losing records in conference play.
The Badgers play at Indiana (4-5, 1-4) on Saturday, home against
Michigan (5-4, 1-4) on Nov. 14 and at Northwestern (5-4, 2-3) on
Nov. 21. Wisconsin finishes its season Dec. 5 at Hawaii (2-6)
before a bowl game.
Bielema said the effort against the Boilermakers was the team's
best to date.
"I don't have a crystal ball at home. I don't have special
powers to predict anything, but I knew what I saw and what I
believed could happen," Bielema said. "All I needed to do was
have them go out and do that. Hopefully, that will continue
forward."
Bielema's first team in 2006 set a school record with 12
victories. Those Badgers only lost once, but were shut out of
the BCS bowl picture because Ohio State and Michigan only lost
once combined.
The past two years, Wisconsin regressed with a 16-10 record.
But if the Badgers finish this season with a flourish - and 11
wins - it could propel them into next season when they'll return
starter but tight end Garrett Graham on offense and seven more
on defense.
"There's a constant struggle between a number of us (in the Big
Ten) to jockey for that team that every so often can make a
special run," Bielema said.
While it seems like it's Iowa's turn this year, Bielema says
they revolve on the same factors.
"If you stay healthy, you've got some great leadership, and you
have a couple key difference makers on offense, defense; good
things happen," Bielema said. "You've got to have the ball
bounce the right way."
If it does for the Badgers for the rest of this season,
Wisconsin will reach double-digits in wins for just the sixth
time in program history.
"You believe a little bit in the theory of once they taste
(success) a certain number of times, they want to keep going
back for it," Bielema said. "Hopefully, they'll be able to do
that."
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