The best news for Wisconsin after running back Montee Ball was the victim of an unprovoked attack in Madison is that the senior running back is going to be fine, and has said so via his Twitter account (@M_Ball28).
As far as football is concerned, though, the Badgers can be comfortable in the knowledge that even if Ball misses more time than expected - there are still concussion concerns following the attack - they have plenty of breathing room.
For starters, Bret Bielema's team will go into the 2012 season all but assured of a spot in the Big Ten championship game. With both Penn State and Ohio State ineligible for the Big Ten title game due to NCAA-imposed bowl bans, the Badgers' only competition for the Leaders Division title will come from Purdue, Illinois and Indiana, three teams that went a combined 6-18 in Big Ten play last season. While the Boilermakers, Illini and Hoosiers can certainly improve - particularly if Illinois is able to make good on the coaches' efforts to attract transfers from Penn State - it's hard to imagine those teams catching the Badgers.
Of course, Wisconsin won't start the Big Ten season until September 29 against Nebraska, and the Badgers' non-conference opponents aren't particularly formidable. Wisconsin opens against a team from the Championship Subdivision in the form of Northern Iowa, followed by dates with Oregon State (3-9 in 2011), Utah State (7-6) and UTEP (5-7). It's not the schedule of a team hoping to advance to the BCS title game, but the loss of Ball - if it happens - shouldn't be a difference-maker against those opponents.
Ball's attack was certainly upsetting, and Bielema and his staff certainly won't take any chances with the star running back's health. However, if early reports are any indication, Ball should be right back on the field when the season starts in a month, looking to build on a junior season in which he tied the NCAA record with 39 touchdowns.
If he's delayed a bit, though, the Badgers will be just fine.
