Wisconsin enters 2012 hoping to earn a trip to a third straight Rose Bowl after winning the inaugural Big Ten championship game and Leaders Division title last year. The team, however, faces plenty of questions in coach Bret Bielema’s seventh season at the helm. But then again, Bielema didn’t go 60-19 in his first six years without being able to handle a few issues along the way.

It all starts: Wisconsin started preseason practice Aug 6. The Badgers open the season on Sept. 1 against Northern Iowa.

Three questions to answer in camp:

  • Will QB Danny O’Brien master the offense? The junior signal caller transferred from Maryland this spring and is immediately eligible to play with two years left after earning his degree in College Park. The team is hoping O’Brien, who completed 56.4 percent of his passes last season for 1,648 yards with seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions, can become the passing threat to balance out its dominant running game. Under QB Russell Wilson last season, the team finished 61st nationally in passing, throwing for nearly 235 yards per game.
  • Will RB Montee Ball rebound from injury? The senior Heisman Trophy candidate was the victim of an assault just before the start of training camp and suffered a concussion and facial lacerations. Bielema has been forced to take a slow approach with his star, who rushed for 1,923 yards with 33 touchdowns and caught 24 passes for 306 yards with six scores last fall. If Ball is slow to recover, expect junior James White to pick up the slack. Last season, White rushed for 713 yards with six touchdowns and added 15 catches for 150 yards.
  • Who is going to rush the passer? One of the few weaknesses of the defense was the pass rush, which finished tied for 71st nationally with just 25 QB takedowns last season. Defensive lineman Beau Allen is the top returning pass rusher on the team, registering four sacks last year. He must continue to be a force to help anchor the attack on opposing quarterbacks.

Player who needs to step up: Junior LB Chris Borland is a preseason candidate for many postseason awards after finishing tied for seventh in the country with 143 tackles, including 19 for loss last season. He will be counted on to bolster a rushing defense that finished last season ranked just 60th nationally, giving up an average of nearly 153 yards per game. Borland must help solidify the front seven.

Potential breakout player: Junior TE Jacob Pedersen was a big threat in the red zone last season, making 30 catches for 356 yards with eight touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 242-pounder could be a safety blanket for O’Brien this season and has the potential to be the focal point of the team’s passing game.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen.