Putting the demons to rest

by Jake Harris on Nov 20, 2010 5:23 PM CST in Wisconsin Badgers Football

Badgers record first win in Ann Arbor in 16 years, take big step towards BCS

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - As the maize-and-blue-clad fans streamed towards the exits of the largest stadium in America, the smiles on the faces of the thousands wearing red said it all.

Relief permeated the Badger fan base after seventh-ranked Wisconsin's 48-28 win over Michigan Saturday in front of 112,276 at Michigan Stadium.

Relief from a 16-year drought at the Big House and relief that the Wolverines' periodic comeback attempts fell short. Relief that the Badgers exceeded expectations yet again and relief from a history that hadn't seen Wisconsin beat Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan all in one season since 1959.

The Badgers hardly seemed fazed by the crowd, which was relatively subdued most of the game. Instead, they took control early, leading 24-0 at halftime after racking up 379 yards of offense in the first 30 minutes.

For the second straight week, the team was without starting running back John Clay, but Montee Ball and James White combined for 354 yards and six touchdowns. The offensive line had its way with the Big Ten's worst defense.

Mike Golic and other members of the national media who accused head coach Bret Bielema of running up the score against Indiana last week should be satisfied; Wisconsin attempted just one pass in the second half. Quarterback Scott Tolzien completed an astounding 14 of 15 passes, but his lone miss was intercepted by cornerback James Rogers.

Michigan closed the gap to 10 points on two occasions in the second half. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, they had to kick off to the Badgers after each score and Wisconsin put together sustained, productive drives against Michigan's overmatched defense. Wolverines head coach Rich Rodriguez called for two onside kicks in the second half, which is an indication of how he felt about his defense's ability to get a stop.

Purdue didn't do Wisconsin any favors, blowing a 28-13 lead over Michigan State to allow the Spartans to keep pace atop the Big Ten.

Nonetheless, a win over Northwestern next week at Camp Randall Stadium should assure the Badgers of an appearance in a BCS bowl.

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1 game to go.

Kind of amazing that this team is doing what it’s doing down its best player. I know Michigan’s defense is awful, but hell, they’re still Michigan, and it’s still the Big House.

No chance for NU to be a trap game. Nothing afterward to be looking ahead to for about a month, after all. It’s not over yet, but we just cleared the last real hurdle. Just have to avoid tripping over our own feet in Camp Randall. Hopefully the student section isn’t too bad despite Thanksgiving.

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by Ben Buchanan on Nov 20, 2010 5:41 PM CST reply actions

This game was amazing.

I mean, it was amazing. This Wisconsin team didn’t give up. Ever. They kept their composure and flattened the Wolverines on the ground and through the air.

I will be at the Northwestern game this coming weekend.

Beat Northwestern and Michigan, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 20, 2010 5:43 PM CST reply actions

Change that sig.

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by Ben Buchanan on Nov 20, 2010 6:01 PM CST up reply actions

DONE.

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 20, 2010 6:31 PM CST up reply actions

Lou "Senile" Holtz still saying Ohio State is better than Wisc.

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by Ben Buchanan on Nov 20, 2010 6:03 PM CST reply actions

His reasoning is because they beat Iowa.

Um…

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by Ben Buchanan on Nov 20, 2010 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

And Wisconsin lost to Iowa this year.

Oh wait…

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 20, 2010 6:37 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

LOL NICE

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 20, 2010 6:38 PM CST up reply actions

Well, in Lou Holtz's world,

Iowa beat Wisconsin on October 23.

Just an FYI.

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 20, 2010 6:42 PM CST up reply actions

In my world

it has been 6 years since the Vikings beat the Packers (in Madden 05)

Just sayin’.

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 20, 2010 6:43 PM CST up reply actions

Thank God Lou Holtz's opinion is worth

about as much as a pile of dogcrap

Bucky's 5th Quarter - All Badgers, all the time.

by Adam Tupitza on Nov 20, 2010 6:25 PM CST up reply actions

I disagree.

I’d rather have the dog crap.

by Grady The Badger on Nov 20, 2010 6:33 PM CST up reply actions

Here's the best way to shut him up.

Beat Northwestern next Saturday, and watch Ohio State beat Michigan, the combination of which will automatically send UW to the Rose Bowl regardless of what Michigan State does. No way MSU or OSU are leapfrogging us in the standings, not after what happened today.

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 20, 2010 9:24 PM CST up reply actions

Oh sure...

Here’s a hint: the better team won. The better team won by 18 points in an electric atmosphere and stunned ~~the galaxy~~ the world.

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 20, 2010 6:32 PM CST up reply actions

Badgers won 31-18 that night,

MOV was 13 points.

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 20, 2010 6:35 PM CST up reply actions

Oopsies.

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 20, 2010 6:37 PM CST up reply actions

I must say, I'm disappointed.

I won that game by 45 in NCAA 10…

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 20, 2010 6:38 PM CST up reply actions

The Ohio State game?

In my NCAA ’10, I won 17-13 on a John Clay touchdown with 2 seconds left in the game, lol

Bucky's 5th Quarter - All Badgers, all the time.

by Adam Tupitza on Nov 20, 2010 7:22 PM CST up reply actions

He clearly didn't see the game on October 16.

It also might be due to the fact that Holtz coached at Ohio State for a year. It’s past time to take the blinders off.

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 20, 2010 6:35 PM CST up reply actions

Miami lost, should help the Badgers stay above Ohio St. in the BCS rankings

by Dionysus0 on Nov 20, 2010 6:17 PM CST reply actions

Also the fact that Ohio State won close

A blowout in Iowa City would have boosted Ohio State’s chances

Bucky's 5th Quarter - All Badgers, all the time.

by Adam Tupitza on Nov 20, 2010 6:27 PM CST up reply actions

You might find this interesting, Adam...

http://www.offtackleempire.com/2010/11/20/1826419/iowa-is-statistically-the-most-exciting-team-in-ncaa

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 20, 2010 6:31 PM CST up reply actions

I'd believe it

I can think of numerous nail biting games involving Iowa over the past couple of years. Often involves Penn State, Michigan State, and Northwestern

Bucky's 5th Quarter - All Badgers, all the time.

by Adam Tupitza on Nov 20, 2010 7:25 PM CST up reply actions

Do you think Bielema stopped throwing to avoid criticism or because he knew he wouldn’t have throw to win the game. Either way as a Wolverine fan I was appreciative. And for the record had he hung 83 on Michigan I would of placed the blame on the Wolverine defense… At some point the players need to make a stop.

Anyways, I’m hoping you guys make the Rose Bowl because I have zero faith in MSU to win against a top ranked team out here and feel you guys could take on just about anybody right now.

by Lostincali on Nov 20, 2010 6:52 PM CST via mobile reply actions

He didn't need to put up 83 today.

Your guys simply didn’t stop Wisconsin in the second half, especially when they needed the stop when they closed to ten points.

Appreciate your comments, though.

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 20, 2010 7:15 PM CST up reply actions

Appreciate your perspective

Wolverines will be good the next few years with Denard

He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is

by WarWolf on Nov 21, 2010 8:24 AM CST up reply actions

Question.

Does anyone know why Penn State and Indiana were playing in Landover, MD?

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 20, 2010 6:52 PM CST reply actions

Indiana sold a home game to Dan Snyder.

It’s a home game against a team they have NEVER beaten, but whatever…

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 20, 2010 7:00 PM CST up reply actions

I love having Wikipedia access!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Wisconsin_Badgers_football_team#Michigan

Think I did it justice?

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 20, 2010 7:01 PM CST reply actions

Speaking as a outsider, looks good to me. I’m officially on the Badger bandwagon for your last game and your bowl.
BTW I take back any negative things(about Wisconsin) I said in old conversation at Offtackleempire.

by Lostincali on Nov 20, 2010 7:11 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

1st time Wisconsin has beaten Iowa OSU and Mich in the same year

40 rushing TDs breaks the 1974 record

2 150 yard rushers for the 2nd time time – the other was Marek and Starch in 1974

50th win vs Michigan

JJ Watt Tolzien Ball and White were tops

Wisconsin is averaging over 40 points in conference this year

NW gave up 500+ rushing yards – good opponent for Badgers next week

He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is

by WarWolf on Nov 21, 2010 8:30 AM CST reply actions

That was a typo.

Michigan leads the all-time series 49-14-1, or something like that.

I didn't believe it last August, but it turns out that love survives.

Possibly hiking up Mount Marcy during the weekend of October 23-24. State high point count: 3/50

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 21, 2010 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

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Badgers Football Schedule

UNLV	Thu 09/01	W 51 - 17
Oregon St. Building The Dam	Sat 09/10	W 35 - 0
@ Northern Illinois Red And Black Attack	Sat 09/17	W 49 - 7
South Dakota Coyotes	Sat 09/24	W 59 - 10
Nebraska Corn Nation	Sat 10/01	W 48 - 17
Indiana The Crimson Quarry	Sat 10/15	W 59 - 7
@ Michigan St. The Only Colors	Sat 10/22	L 31 - 37
@ Ohio St. Along The Olentangy	Sat 10/29	L 29 - 33
Purdue Hammer and Rails	Sat 11/05	W 62 - 17
@ Minnesota The Daily Gopher	Sat 11/12	W 42 - 13
@ Illinois Hail to the Orange	Sat 11/19	W 28 - 17
Penn St. Black Shoe Diaries	Sat 11/26	W 45 - 7
@ Michigan St. The Only Colors	Sat 12/03	W 42 - 39
@ Oregon Addicted To Quack	Mon 01/02	L 38 - 45