Bret Bielema Knows Not Whom He Rips

Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema wasn't the happiest man in the world after Wisconsin lost to Tennessee 21-17 in the Outback Bowl on Tuesday. Bielema was of the opinion that there were quite a few missed calls, and some plain bad ones as well during the game that cost his team a chance.

He wasn't shy about his feelings after the game, either.

"You guys in the offseason are going to give me some questions about scheduling and different things like that," Bielema said. "I guarantee you I'm never going to schedule a game that's officiated by WAC officials, that's for sure."

Well, coach, that's fine if you truly feel that way, but I feel the need to tell you that those weren't WAC officials out there. They were from the Mountain West Conference.

I find it pretty annoying when coaches start blaming the officials for everything. One of Bielema's biggest complaints about the officiating came on plays that had no outcome on the game. There was an illegal shift called against the Badgers when they had a 3rd and goal from the 1-yard line to move them back five yards. Bielema came running out onto the field to yell at officials about that call. Then on the very next play when Tyler Donovan scored on a six-yard run, which made the illegal shift a moot point, Bielema was ticked off there was no call for helmet to helmet contact on Donovan as he crossed the goal line.

There was also an overturned call on a fumble late in the game that pretty much sealed things for Tennessee, but I don't think Bielema could have too much of a problem with that call, as I'm pretty sure the refs got that one right.

Maybe instead of being mad at the officials on Tuesday, Bielema should take out some of that frustration on his players, coaches, and himself. After all, they had a lot more to do with Wisconsin's loss than any official did.