If you're looking for a formula to determine whether your favorite team will have a strong running game this fall, try this example provided by the Wisconsin Badgers.

As fall camp began in Madison, Wis., third-year coach Bret Bielema announced that junior running back Lance Smith had been dismissed from the team. Smith averaged 6 yards per carry last fall and represented the Badgers' biggest game-breaking threat in their backfield.

Now, if your team lost a guy with Smith's ability, would the coaches freak out? Then your team clearly doesn't have a running game that compares with the Badgers because Wisconsin virtually yawned at Smith's loss.

While Bielema and Co. wouldn't mind having him around, they merely lost their third-string back who was in danger of...

Wisconsin dismissed RB Smith (AP)
Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:54:00 PDT-Lance Smith was dismissed from Wisconsin's football team Monday, a month after he was expelled from a first-offenders program for failing to meet its requirements. Coach Bret Bielema, who suspended Smith last month, announced the dismissal after the team's first practice of the season. Smith was placed in the program last October after a judge accepted Smith's guilty pleas to charges of battery and...

Smith suspended (Rivals.com)
Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:27:00 PDT- MADISON, Wis. -- Lance Smith, a junior running back with the Wisconsin football team, has been suspended from...

UW football: Pressley, Rentmeester prove fullbacks aren't a dying breed
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:24:51 GMT

Prep football preview: 'Solid core' kicks off new era for Ashwaubenon
Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:14:15 GMT

Badgers picked 12th by writers
Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:20:32 GMT

On The Road: Week 0
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:18:02 GMT-With the season getting under way throughout the country, I will be on the road each weekend getting to see some of the nation's best prospects. Here is a look at some of the top performers at a pair of recent jamborees in South Carolina.

Chapman Healthy and Ready
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:16:13 GMT-After suffering an ACL tear against Ohio State last season, senior tackle Jason Chapman has been waiting a long time to get back in the trenches on the Badger defensive line. On Saturday, he'll finally get his chance.

Striving for Health
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:16:12 GMT-After missing the entire spring season after shoulder surgery and dealing with a nagging hamstring injury that has limited his practices in the fall, senior tight end Travis Beckum is looking forward to finally getting out on the field Saturday.

No Nerves for Evridge
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:46:00 GMT-Despite starting his first game in three years on Saturday, fifth-year senior Allan Evridge is as cool as a cucumber, which hopefully is a sign of success for him and the rest of the Wisconsin offense in 2008.

Striving for More
Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:46:13 GMT-With the amount of talent throughout South Florida high schools, each athlete needs some type of confidence, athleticism or natural talent to catch the eyes of the scouts. In David Gilbert's case, he has a little bit of everything.