This isn't right. Somehow, some way the stars have all
misaligned.

It has been a change-of-pace week — my column is running on
a Wednesday instead of Tuesday — where college football talks have centered on
the BCS selections and whether they accurately represent the top teams after
two more top teams tanked. So I figured it was time to go back to the drawing
board and write about something entering the season that was more reliable than
Enterprise and its "We'll pick you up" catchphrase. I'm referring to Wisconsin
running back P.J. Hill.

The Badgers' success over the past two seasons has been
analogous with Hill's ability to pound the ball down the throats of opposing
defensive fronts time after time. When Hill has rumbled, the Badgers have
rolled — if nothing else, for the simple fact that UW runs when ahead and
passes when coming from behind.

After being named National Freshman of the Year and
first-team All-Big Ten by the media following his 2006 campaign for compiling
1,569 yards and 15 touchdowns, Hill picked up where he left off to begin this
season. Through Wisconsin's first eight games, he ran for more than 1,000 yards
— becoming just the third player in UW history to do so in each of his first
two seasons, joining NCAA great Ron Dayne and Anthony Davis — and averaged 1.75
touchdowns per game.

While, in retrospect, Wisconsin missed out on a golden
opportunity to go to the Rose Bowl if only it had defeated Illinois Oct. 6, Hill
missed out on so much more than a trip to Pasadena.

By Week 6, he climbed into the Heisman discussions and was
receiving comparisons to Dayne. Trimming down in the offseason and working
grueling hours on his footwork and agility, Hill added an entirely new
dimension to his repertoire and was quickly becoming one of the nation's
premier backs.

Alas, an injury to his lower left leg sustained in the
Indiana game shut the door on what had the makings of a fantastic season.

Since hobbling off the field before Badger alumni during Homecoming
weekend, Hill has appeared in just one game and rushed for a paltry 14 yards.

Even though UW blew its chance for a bed of roses, there's
always next year. For Hill, life's not that certain. He may never again repeat
what he accomplished in his first 23 games at Wisconsin.

It's not that his injury is serious enough he won't be able
to fully recover, although if it recurs, that certainly could happen. Rather,
it's that the personnel at the running back position for UW are loaded guns,
ready to go off at any minute if given the chance. Simply, there's more
competition behind Hill than at an American Idol audition.

Lance Smith, who showed significant improvements from his
freshman to his sophomore year, was electrifying when he wasn't serving his
suspension, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Who knows what he's capable of doing
with consistent reps?

Forced to carry the bulk of the load down the stretch in
Hill's absence, freshman Zach Brown grew up before fans' eyes in a few weeks,
proving he, too, is a dependable back. He gained 421 yards in three starts,
including a 250-yard outburst against Minnesota. Throw in John Clay, the
nation's fourth-best running back recruit of 2007, according to Rivals.com, and
Wisconsin has a crowded backfield.

Obviously, it's too early to say what the extent of each of
these backs’ roles will be in the future. Nevertheless, UW head coach Bret
Bielema will also have a hard time benching any one of them. That said, Hill
could very well be sharing the load next season, which will be an unfamiliar
concept to the running back who has made it known that he wants the ball in his
hands every time out. Plus, should Hill reinjure himself between now and then,
he'll be unable to prove he's the best option when he can't practice or play.

Change is a part of the game. For Hill's sake, let's hope it
doesn't leave him, like Missouri, on the outside looking in.

Kevin is a senior
majoring in journalism and economics. To talk Wisconsin football in general or
who you think will get the bulk of the carries for the team next season, give
him a shout at [email protected].