The common belief is that the starting quarterback gets the girl. Since the closest I have ever come to being an athlete involved sitting on the bench and cheering, I really cannot verify that. However, one thing I do know without a shadow of a doubt is that whatever luck the starter has with the ladies, his backup is the most popular man in town. No matter who the starter might be, there will always be fans calling for a change.

Heck, I can even remember a time when a sizeable portion of Packer fans thought it should be Ty Detmer, not Brett Favre at the helm of the Green Bay offense. I know hindsight is 20-20, but looking back I would have to say Mike Holmgren made the right call.

Madison is no exception in its love for the backup. For three years, Badger fans have been calling for Jim Sorgi. Every three and out, every sack and every quarterback keeper have brought chants of “Sorgi, Sorgi” from the student section. Forget being the most popular man on campus; the guy could have been mayor of Madison.

Well, the wait for the Sorgi backers is finally over. At long last, UW’s all-time winningest quarterback, Brooks Bollinger, has departed Camp Randall for the Meadowlands. Gone are those pesky 30 career wins. Gone are those three unbearable bowl-game victories. Gone is one of the toughest players to ever don the cardinal and white. While it may not have been pretty, Bollinger got the job done. He battled through concussions, groin pulls and bruised livers and found a way to get the job done, bottom line.

I don’t know what most people think, but in my book an ugly win is better than a pretty loss any day of the week.

Maybe instead of chanting “Sorgi” all these years, fans should have been calling for backup offensive linemen. Let us not forget that it was Bollinger who was the hero off the bench once upon a time. Then a freshman, he turned around the 1999 season when he replaced Scott Cavanaugh and led Wisconsin to its second consecutive Rose Bowl win.

Now, the Bollinger era is over. Jim Sorgi finally has his chance to shine after spending three years as caddy, only playing when Bollinger was injured.

There is no doubt Sorgi is a better pure passer than Bollinger. There is also no doubt he has all the tools and potential to be not only one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten or in the country, but in Wisconsin history.

Look no further than Sept. 1, 2001, in Eugene, Ore. Under the lights and in front of a national television audience, an injury to Bollinger gave the lanky sophomore a chance to shine. And shine he did, going pass-for-pass with Joey Harrington in what was certainly one of the most entertaining games in UW history, albeit a 31-28 loss. Just one dropped pass away from taking down the No. 7 team in the country, Sorgi appeared to be on the verge of stardom.

Now, two years later, Sorgi is back in the spotlight and trying to take that next step. The senior will step into what is a perfect situation to shine. He has what is hands down the best receiving corps Badger fans have seen in some time. He also has consistent playing time to improve upon his 0-5 record as a starter. No more spot starts, no more waiting for injuries. 2003 will be Sorgi’s show.

As he goes, so will the team. Lee Evans, Brandon Williams, Jonathan Orr and Darrin Charles all depend on Sorgi’s right arm to get them the ball, and Anthony Davis can only do so much without a viable passing option.

In 2003, two things will be determined. First, can Jim Sorgi turn all his talent and all the flashes of stardom into a senior season to be remembered? And secondly, are Badger fans true Sorgi supporters or simply Bollinger critics?

No matter how good Sorgi is, there will come a time when the offense goes three and out, or when he throws a costly interception. When that happens, we will all find out if those who have chanted for him over the years stick by him, or if their new favorite player becomes Matt Schabert.