Bielema discusses decision to start O'Brien - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

Madison (WQOW) -- Bret Bielema said throughout fall camp that he would name a starting quarterback this coming Wednesday. Apparently he couldn't wait to share the news, announcing Danny O'Brien would start via his Twitter account.

To many observers, the decision comes as no surprise. But coach Bielema insists his decision wasn't made until very recently.

"There wasn't any doubt that it was an open race for all three people. I think it might have swayed back and forth between the three of them for me as many as four or five times before the actual pick," says Bielema.

O'Brien, who transferred from Maryland to Wisconsin this fall, says he's happy to have earned the job against some stiff competition.

"We have a great quarterback room with a lot of competition," says O'Brien. "(There's) a lot of talent in that room, which is awesome. That's what you want. But now it's just time for the next step, to get ready for Northern Iowa because we have a lot of work to do."

The Badgers kick off the season Sept. 1 against Northern Iowa at Camp Randall Stadium.