To say Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema is looking forward to the Badgers’ Oct. 1 primetime match-up with Nebraska might be an understatement.

He told reporters Thursday that he “high-fived everybody in the room” when he found out the Huskers were playing their first-ever Big Ten conference game in Madison, Wis.

Bielema spoke highly of Nebraska’s tradition Thursday, emphasizing the program’s reputation and the positive impact it will have on this league. He said he’s already had conversations with some recruits about the increased exposure that the Big Ten Network will provide now that the conference has added another national power.

“Competition brings the best out of people,” Bielema said. “To say that you’re going to play Nebraska in their first Big Ten game, and to know their fan base and the way that they support their program, you couldn’t ask for anything better.”

He basically sent out an open invitation to Husker nation Thursday, telling reporters that he’s excited to have “30-40,000” NU fans come to Madison on that early October weekend. He doesn’t want Big Red in Camp Randall Stadium, though.

“I think we’re putting in a policy that if anybody sells a ticket to a Nebraska fan they lose their ticket privileges for thre  e years,” Bielema said with a smile.

Now, it should be noted that Bielema wanted to clarify that Wisconsin will play four games before it hosts NU, so his (and the team’s) focus will be elsewhere until game week.

He has checked out a little bit film of the Huskers, though. Here are his brief thoughts:

On the NU defense: “They’re very similar to what we believe in. They don’t do a lot of things, they just do what they do very well.”

On the NU offense: “(It) is catered around a few really good players and what they’re able to bring to the table.”