Bielema expects the right response | UW FOOTBALL He doesn't believe team will have letdown against

Published Oct. 19, 2010 10:05 p.m. ET

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Madison - If Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema wants his players to see the wrong way to handle prosperity, he can show them highlights of South Carolina's last game.

One week after whipping then-No. 1Alabama, at home with ESPN's GameDay crew on campus, the 10th-ranked Gamecocks suffered a huge letdown and lost last week at Kentucky.

Now one week after whipping then-No. 1 Ohio State, at home with ESPN's Game-Day crew on campus, the 10th-ranked Badgers face a critical Big Ten Conference game at No. 13 Iowa at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

"You always use examples in the world of college football," Bielema said Monday when asked if he planned to remind his players of the Gamecocks' misstep. "But as a coach you want to make you sure you (don't) talk your players into something." Translation: Bielema wants the UW players preparing as they have all season rather than worrying about the prospect of suffering an emotional letdown after beating the top-ranked team in the country.

Bielema noted the players' preparation was as good for Austin Peay, a Football Championship Subdivision program, as it was in the days leading to the Ohio State game.

"We talked about all week about not having a letdown against a team you're better than," Bielema said of the Austin Peay game in Week 4. "They had the right response that week.

"They had the right response (last) week and I think they'll have the right response this week." That remains to be seen. However, UW (6-1, 2-1) should be close to full strength physically for the key game against the Hawkeyes (5-1, 2-0).

Linebacker Mike Taylor (left ankle/knee), wide receiver Nick Toon (thigh), tight end Lance Kendricks (cramps) and defensive tackle Jordan Kohout (foot/ankle) are expected to be in the lineup.

"The good news is that all the guys that kind of had some issues on Saturday will be back," Bielema said. "Mike Taylor, we got some X-ray information this morning, (and) all things structurally were fine.

"What he basically did, he kind of rolled his ankle a little bit, which caused him to hyperextend his knee. That made it a little sore but there's nothing damaged.

"Lance Kendricks was moving around yesterday and should be full-go. Nick Toon took a shot from a knee on the upper part of the leg. He should be good to go to practice (Tuesday) as well." Kohout was rolled up from behind while engaged with a blocker and limped off the field but eventually returned.

The victory last week was Bielema's first in four games against the Buckeyes.

It improved his record against ranked teams to 5-9, including 2-8 against league foes.

"It's another step in the right direction," Bielema said shortly after the victory. "Again, we're only three games into the Big Ten schedule and we've done some good things. To see your players play the way you coach them to play and to see the guys execute against good personnel is really rewarding.

"It is justification for me that we are doing the right things. "I think as we build within in our program and get recruiting and a constant belief in what we are all about. it solidifies it that much more." The victory over the Buckeyes did aid in securing two oral commitments for 2011.

Offensive tackle Ray Ball and running back Trayion Durham, both from Ohio, were on campus for the game and committed to UW not long after they returned home.

Ball, a 6-foot-7, 320-pounder from Westerville South High School, had offers from Michigan, UCLA, Kentucky and Indiana.

Durham, 6-1 and 230, had offers from Boston College, Colorado, Cincinnati, Minnesota and Louisville.

UW clearly won on and off the field Saturday.

"It gives us a lot of momentum," senior linebacker Blake Sorensen said. "It shows us we can beat anyone if we play to our potential. I'm excited for the rest of the season." The remainder of the schedule, which includes a bye Oct. 30, starts Saturday. Bielema is 2-2 against the Hawkeyes but Iowa has won the last two meetings.

Bielema and offensive coordinator Paul Chryst liked what they saw on the practice field last week from the offensive line and tailback John Clay. The line dominated Ohio State's front and Clay ran harder than he had all season.

"What we did last week was that guys did what they do," Chryst said. "They prepared. That is what you try to get, that you prep for every team the same.

"Now granted, every team isn't the same. Every team is a little different. Game situations are different, the hype around them. But the process has got to be the same.".