Bielema didn't get his wish. What did they lose? A rivalry game with Iowa. That's it.
Don't cry for the Badgers.
Here's what they got:
1. They get bragging rights for the first Big10 game with Nebraska.
2. They get that game at Wisconsin. On national television.
Those are temporary gifts, I know. But seeding the Big10 football programs since 1993 they also got these annual permanent gifts:
3. A game with the #12 seed - Indiana - every year. (15 losing seasons)
4. A game with the #11 seed - Minnesota - every year. (13 losing seasons)
5. A game with the #10 seed - Illinois - every year. (11 losing seasons)
6. And Purdue? Of the middle-tier teams: NW, MSU (6 losing seasons), and Purdue (7 losing seasons) -- the Boilermakers would be the #9 seed.
So Wisconsin plays -- every year -- , the #9, #10, #11, and #12 seeds based on history since 1993.
Somehow, I don't think their arm was twisted to go play out East. Maybe the Ol' Badger Alvarez is a fox.