CHICAGO -- There's no template for how a program readies itself for a third straight title defense while it shrugs off a six-loss season in the process.

Does the team carry a swagger because it has won three consecutive championships? Does it appear insecure because it lost five games by three points -- including three games in overtime -- and the Rose Bowl by six points?

There's a depth to those questions no one can rightly answer, especially not first-year Wisconsin Coach Gary Andersen, whose new team experienced those highs and lows a year ago.

"It's the first time I've ever been asked that question other than me asking it a million times," Andersen said. "I really cannot agree more than that is an important question. It's an important balance. But I know this now%3A these kids have handled it well. They understand that if they do exactly what they did last year, they will not get to the championship game.

"I don't have to tell them that. They don't need the fans telling them that. They don't need the media telling them that. Their expectation level is higher than that. But my other point is, they got to that game. It doesn't matter how they got there, they got there. They played their tails off. They got themselves to the Rose Bowl. So it's a great accomplishment."

Wisconsin finished 8-6, hardly the powerhouse record the school achieved in 2010 and 2011. The Badgers finished third in the Big Ten's Leaders Division and lost overtime games to divisional champ Ohio State and runner-up Penn State. Those teams were ineligible for the postseason, which enabled Wisconsin to claim a Big Ten title appearance.

But the Badgers won't apologize for qualifying. Neither will they apologize for the pounding they heaped upon Nebraska, 70-31, in the Big Ten championship game. Wisconsin blasted the Cornhuskers for 10 touchdowns, including eight on the ground. The Badgers rushed for 539 yards and eight scores

The thrill of victory was short-lived, however. Just days afterward, Coach Bret Bielema bolted Wisconsin for Arkansas. Under Athletics Director Barry Alvarez, a Hall of Fame coach who previously led the Badgers to three Rose Bowl victories, Wisconsin competed against Stanford in the Rose Bowl but fell short 20-14.

Andersen, whose Utah State team lost 16-14 at Camp Randall last year, accepted the Wisconsin job shortly before the Rose Bowl. He watched Alvarez lead Rose Bowl prep and took his own notes. Andersen brought a new voice but a familiar tone. Expectations remain high and adjusting the message was vital entering the offseason.

"They understand how to compete," Andersen said. "They understand how close they were on the field to possibly winning some big games. They also understand at the end of the day how close they were to losing a couple of games that they were supposed to win."

"It's crazy to think that the year we had, and we're still Big Ten champs. It's just crazy to think of," Wisconsin wide receiver Jared Abbrederis said. "We don't want a year like last year to happen again. We're all kind of bummed to have those losses, so it's definitely a motivator."

"Last year was a unique year," linebacker Chris Borland said. "We lost six games, yet we were champions. I don't think guys are feeling high and mighty. I think guys are hungry to win one this year."

Bouncing back from a six-loss season with a new coach could be easier than it sounds. Wisconsin features two of the league's better receivers in Abbrederis and tight end Jacob Pedersen, and two of the top running backs in Melvin Gordon and James White. Three starters return along the offensive line, and quarterbacks Joel Stave and Curt Phillips both have started at least five games.

A defensive switch to the 3-4 is tempered by returning starters at all three line spots. Borland is a two-time all-Big Ten linebacker. Wisconsin returns experience at kicker, punter and punt returner.

Despite three consecutive Rose Bowl appearances, few expect the Badgers to challenge Ohio State for Leaders Division supremacy. ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit cautioned people not to ignore the Badgers, even against No. 2-ranked Ohio State.

"As much talk as there is about Ohio State -- and I think it's legitimate -- but if there's one team they need to be careful of within their own division I think it is Wisconsin," he said. "If (the Badgers) somehow beat Arizona State on September 14 on the road and they get their swagger going, and get their confidence going, that game on the 28 in Columbus will become very, very interesting."

In non-divisional play, Wisconsin plays at rivals Minnesota and Iowa and hosts its closest opponent in proximity, Northwestern. All four will compete in the Big Ten's West Division in 2014.

Andersen guided Utah State within a missed 37-yard field goal of upsetting Wisconsin. The Aggies finished 11-2 in the Western Athletic Conference's final football season. He now moves to the highly competitive Big Ten where he's motivated and in a tough spot. Replicating the Badgers' recent success could be difficult, if not impossible. But that doesn't mean he's intimidated by the situation, either.

"To me there's an expectations wherever you're at," he said. "To me if you're going to get into this big-boy league, and you want to coach in one of these leagues, whether you're coming to a team that has won or hasn't won, all that's going to matter is what you do the next year. It's truthful to say if you're on a team that's had three wins or four wins and you come in and they get six, you'll be … that's an improvement. If you come in here and win 10 games, that's an improvement."

"You've got to take every year for what's it's worth. If you didn't want to be in that environment, you shouldn't take a job like this. You obviously know coming in there's high expectations. But the highest expectations I have come from me."

Last year was a unique year. We lost six games, yet we were champions. I don't think guys are feeling high and mighty. I think guys are hungry to win one this year.

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Iowa linebacker Tyler Nielsen (left) goes to tackle Wisconsin wide receiver Jared Abbrederis during the first half of their game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, in Iowa City. (Jim Slosiarek/SourceMedia Group News)

New Wisconsin Coach Gary Andersen

Iowa cornerback Micah Hyde (18) upends Wisconsin running back James White (20) during the first half Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)

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