The operative numbers for the University of Wisconsin football team are 12-1, 9-4 and 7-6, a worrisome trend that tracks UW's declining record during Bret Bielema's three seasons as coach.

There is, however, another statistical trend that has contributed mightily to Bielema's receding bottom line: During those three seasons, UW's points allowed has gone from 12.1 to 23.2 to 26.5 per game.

Of course, points allowed isn't entirely the fault of the defense, but the fact remains only one of former coach Barry Alvarez's 16 UW teams - the 2001 group that went 5-7 - allowed more points per game than last year's Badgers. Reversing that downward spiral on defense is the most important factor in reversing the downward spiral in UW's record.

"There are no excuses for us on defense to give up more points every year," safety Jay Valai said. "We'd better reverse that trend because we have to. With the type of offense we have, we're going to ground and pound and beat the mess out of you ... so we've got to come through."

But how will UW's defense get better when so many household names are gone? Long-time starters Matt Shaughnessy, Jason Chapman, Mike Newkirk, DeAndre Levy, Jonathan Casillas and Allen Langford graduated, making it only natural to wonder how a young, inexperienced defense is going to improve on last year.

Some might say "So what if they're gone?" after last season's performance, but every one of those players received some All-Big Ten recognition during his career. Between the departed seniors and two safeties (Shane Carter and Aubrey Pleasant) who were removed from the team by Bielema, UW has lost a combined 273 starts on defense.

By comparison, the Badgers return a mere 50 starts in their projected starting defense. Only Valai, end O'Brien Schofield and linebacker Jaevery McFadden were full-time starters last season. Five defenders will be making their first start Saturday against Northern Illinois.

The rampant inexperience on defense makes this season a daunting task for second-year coordinator Dave Doeren, though he doesn't see it that way.

"I haven't really thought about it as being daunting," Doeren said. "You move forward and the guys that were always behind them get their chance. I'm excited about where these guys are right now. It's really not the fear of what you lost as much as the excitement of what's there. ... We had a great offseason here. Our guys are very motivated and they've bought into what's going on. A lot of guys are bigger, faster."

Indeed, there are positives to consider. For one thing, the defense didn't hemorrhage yards last season, only points. That was a function of poor field position, a lack of depth up front and repeated mental mistakes and communication errors, all of which led to the defense giving up big plays.

This year, UW's defense will have better depth in the line and better size at tackle. Using a rotation up front means UW won't wear down as readily on long drives and late in games. The size at tackle should strengthen the interior run defense.

Meanwhile, the offense, which is expected to control the ball with a strong running game and better play at quarterback, will help keep the defense fresh. And the special teams have nowhere to go but up, which should yield better field position.

Mostly, though, any improvement on defense will come from a change in attitude. Eliminating the mistakes that sabotaged last season has been a major point of emphasis.

"There's a bigger focus on the little things than there was last year," Schofield said. "They're not letting anything slide. No matter who you are, if you make the play or not, if you don't use the right techniques, you're still getting told and criticized about that. Last year we had a lot of three-year starters, so it's kind of hard to change old habits. But when you've got new guys like this, you're teaching them the right way from the get-go."

The best-case scenario? UW will play a more sound, physical brand of defense with a bunch of players who have been waiting their turn and are now ready to perform.

"Last year, we had a lot of the same guys who went 12-1," Valai said. "But we've got some young guys coming in here who are hungry and ready to work every day. I think that team may have had more talent last year, but we can definitely play more as a team."

They'll have to or several unwelcome trends will continue.

Contact Tom Oates at toates@madison.com or 608-252-6172.

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