I figured this was coming.    I just didn't count on it happening so soon.

      I woke up Sunday morning and checked me e-mail to find this header: FIRE BRET BIELEMA!     READ ABOUT IT NOW!

    A petition drive is apparently underway, in hopes of pressuring the UW Athletic Department to can the Badgers head coach.     Among his alleged crimes, the organizers say he's guilty of losing last year's bowl appearance (a game the group claims Wisconsin should've easily won).     They also cite the current losing streak (pointing out that Michigan, the team that started the skein, lost Saturday to Toledo).      It goes on:

"This coaching staff has lost the team, they've lost the fans.  Our group has swelled from a few angry fans after the bowl game,  to a party of more than 3 dozen after the Michigan loss;  and we've now gathered almost 1,000 signatures that will be presented to the UW Board of Athletics.  We expect to have 10,000 signatures by the end of the season."

      The group also says it'll send letters of apology to running back John Clay, who they maintain is being sorely under-utilized after being recruited by Bielema.       And, what's more, they want to contact other top shelf high school players who might be considering coming to Madison, telling them to stay away.

       The e-mail concludes: "We wish Bret all the best of luck.  Maybe he can coach high school football somewhere.  Maybe he can go sell insurance like Don Morton did.  Maybe ESPN needs a sideline reporter for DIII games.  Whatever -  we just don't want to see his sorry mug on the sidelines for Bucky any longer !!!"

       They must really be angry.     They used three exclamation points.

        Everyone has a right to talk, and act.      If this group thinks fan pressure will force UW Athletic Director Barry Alvarez' hand, they can certainly go for it.     Personally, I think calling for a coaches' head after a short burst of failure is a little premature.     Bielema had a pretty good go of it up until recently, and I go with the premise of my blog following Saturday night's loss: maybe this Wisconsin team was sorely overrated.       It happened to Alvarez on occasion.      It's happening to his successor now.      As for Clay and his playing time, remember that P-J Hill went into the season as one of the nation's top running backs, despite past injuries that limited his production.    He hasn't had the same pop this season, and Clay has had some highlight-reel moments.          A two-headed running tandem makes sure a fresh set of legs is always available.     Remember how Alvarez used Brent Moss and Terrell Fletcher in tandem, with great success?    And, is it Hill that's the issue, or is it the highly-touted o-line that isn't living up to billing?

       Wisconsin's football program has it's issues--a poll in Sunday's Journal/Sentinel shows three-quarters of respondents don't think Bucky is going to a bowl this winter.      75%.     Expectations that were once high have now plummeted to new lows.

       That doesn't mean Bielema needs to go just yet.      He's done a good job up until now, and deserves the chance to right the ship.