MADISON, Wis. -- The task of playing defensive line at Wisconsin can be a thankless endeavor packed with occupying double-teams, creating openings for teammates and then watching as others reap the rewards for all that grunt work. In this way, an innate level of selflessness must come with performing the roles up front in the Badgers' 3-4 scheme.
But this season, Wisconsin's coaches want to make sure players understand expectations are changing. No longer will it be considered adequate for linemen to allow the team's linebackers to make impact plays in the front seven. With a returning defensive line unit as good and experienced as the Badgers', there should be no excuses for them not to make a significant mark this fall.