The Future of the Ohio State Victory

The win over number one Ohio State wasn't just a win that made history, but could have been a win that meant a better future for Wisconsin athletics.

There was a lot of talk coming into the night game versus the Buckeyes about it's affect on recruiting. Reportedly there were high level recruits that Wisconsin is looking to bring in that were in attendance on Saturday night. One would assume that would be a good thing for Wisconsin football.

Not only was the crowd electric, but Wisconsin found a way to win. Imagine you are a high school student being recruited to a college for football. They invite you to come and visit on a day when ESPN's College Gameday is in town for a night game against the number one Ohio State Buckeyes. One could only imagine what was going through the head of that high school prospect when that game finally started.

The crowd was rowdy, and then David Gilreath returns the opening kick for a touchdown. That only made the crowd crazier, and the only time they used the seat they were paying for was at halftime. That alone could be enough to sway that prospect, but there would still be more in store for them.

As the game winded down they not only got to see the legendary Jump Around, but something that no Wisconsin fan has seen since 1993. That's right we're talking about the students rushing the field. Something they didn't even do when the Badgers beat the defending national champion Buckeyes in 2003.

You add all that up, and you get one thing....a great recruiting class, but it wasn't just the players that were in the house that will be impacted. Now Brett Bielema has a platform to enter any living room in the country and you know the kids have seen one Wisconsin football game.

Never underestimate the power of television. The Wisconsin-Ohio State game was watched all over the country by prospective college football players, and Wisconsin didn't just roll into a ball like a shy armadillo. They went on to upset the Buckeyes, and all of those recruits saw it live and in color.

The Ohio State victory didn't just impact the football program though. It impacted the basketball program as well. Let us not forget that earlier in the day the basketball team held its form of "Midnight Madness" in the Field House.

Along with the reports of football recruits being in the house were reports that basketball recruits were in town as well. Not only did they get to see what it's like to play basketball at Wisconsin, but they got to see first hand how nuts Wisconsin fans can be for their teams.

All of this shows not only how important the Ohio State victory was. Not just what it did for history, and this season, but what it will do for the future of Wisconsin athletics.