Wisconsin nose tackle Beau Allen thinks there could be a spot for him on the Packers roster — if general manager Ted Thompson ever picks a Badger. Credit: Mark Hoffman

Green Bay — Madison is only 135 miles away. A quick drive to Oshkosh, a speed trap in Rosendale, a straight shot west down Route 151, boom, Ted Thompson is at the University of Wisconsin.

Players have seen the Green Bay Packers general manager along the sideline at practice often.

So as Sconnies lament every spring, what in the heck does Thompson have against the Badgers? The streak is mind-boggling. Through nine years and 87 picks as the Packers' boss, Thompson has drafted zero Badgers. He's taken players from Albany, Northwest Missouri State, Furman, Missouri Southern State, Grand Valley State and Appalachian State.

And never Wisconsin. Never from a Big Ten power one gas fill-up away. This week...once and for all...the trend will end.

Right?

Wisconsin nose tackle Beau Allen heard about the 0-fer. Over the phone, he asks if it's actually true.

"We've had a ton of talented Badgers in the NFL lately," said Allen, who had a pre-draft visit in Green Bay. "So it's kind of surprising. But, hey, he seems to be doing all right for his franchise."

True. The Packers have won, often, under Thompson. No arguing that. Still, it's a surreal drought.

Wisconsin isn't experiencing a Dark Ages of any sort. The exact opposite. The program has never been stronger. Since Thompson took over the Packers in 2005, the Badgers have gone 87-31 with three Rose Bowl appearances.

The school has produced a Super Bowl-champion quarterback (Russell Wilson), a defensive player of the year (J.J. Watt), several pass-catching tight ends (Owen Daniels, Garrett Graham, Lance Kendricks), a five-year starter at outside linebacker in the division (DeAndre Levy), one of the best left tackles in the game (Joe Thomas) and, of course, a constant supply of offensive linemen.

Year after year, the Packers pass. Could this be the year the tide turns? Maybe.

This senior class experienced it all. A crushing, title-thwarting Hail Mary loss to Michigan State. A win over No. 1-ranked Ohio State. Three Big Ten titles. This deep senior class had wild highs and heartbreaking lows.

"We've played some of the best teams in college football," Allen said. "We've been around success, and we've been around players that have had success as professionals. It's been a great culture of winning and going about our business the right way."

This group starts first with one of the greatest mysteries in this year's NFL draft — inside linebacker Chris Borland. The heart and soul of Wisconsin's defense had 420 tackles (50 for loss) and 17 sacks. He played in a 4-3 and a 3-4. He single-handedly stonewalled the No. 1 running back in the draft, Ohio State's Carlos Hyde, through a three-hour linebacker clinic.

And Borland also has 29¼-inch arms, is 5 foot 11 and is apparently off at least one team's draft board due to a surgically repaired left shoulder. Thompson hinted he's no fan of shorter inside linebackers (see: Smith, D.J.), and it's difficult seeing Green Bay — a team ravaged by injuries last season — taking any prospects with red flags.

Allen was the wide body who received candy from Borland for engulfing double-teams each Saturday. He sees a prospect with "way more" athleticism than outsiders think.

Said Allen, "Anybody in the NFL would be lucky to have him on their team."

Allen himself might be a late-round option. In college, the 333-pounder usually was responsible for the backside A- or B-gap. With the Packers, he explained, the nose takes on the front-side A-gap. Allen noticed B.J. Raji signed at one year and that Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly were not re-signed. He sees himself as a fit. The Packers need another wide body.

Slick wide receiver Jared Abbrederis is one of the draft's best route runners. Another mid-round wideout is needed with James Jones off to Oakland. Dezmen Southward is a 6-foot, 211-pounder with 4.38 speed and a 42-inch vertical — and Green Bay does like the hybrid cornerback/safety. Jacob Pedersen is the latest receiving tight end. Versatile James White is the latest running back.

In the corner of his eye, Allen did spot Thompson a few times last year.

"We saw him roaming around on the sidelines, taking notes," Allen said. "It's definitely not a far drive for him to come down to Madison and check things out."

And through Wisconsin's 0 for 87 hitless streak, Thompson has drafted four players from Iowa alone. As Allen notes — and maybe he is cultivating optimism — there is one Badger (Scott Tolzien) in the Packer locker room now.

"So I don't think he's prejudiced against Badger players or anything like that at all," he said.

Allen lists off the slew of names. This class, he says, has been through a lot. On Thursday, it's Thompson's move.

The GM already stuck it to critics who say he hibernates through free agency. His first Badger could be next.

"You never know," Allen said. "I think he's got a lot of good options to choose from."

Just don't hold your breath.

Send email to tdunne@journalsentinel.com

This column appeared in Packer Plus Magazine