Badger Bits: Can Wisconsin sustain its success?

by John Veldhuis on Nov 24, 2010 5:01 AM CST in Badger Bits

If Wisconsin can keep having moments like these, they'll probably see their fair share of title games and BCS bowls. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Happy Wednesday! I don't know about you guys, but I'm definitely looking forward to some good food and some football tomorrow. Anyway, here's some Badger-related bits, bites, and news.

Andy Baggot of Madison.com writes that the landscape of the BCS system has made it difficult for Wisconsin, or any other team for that matter, to have consistent success at the national level. It's been five years since Wisconsin was last on the verge of a BCS bowl, and the system definitely gave the Badgers the short end of the stick in 2006.

Baggot opines that the BCS should make a change in the selection of teams, where a team must be in the top 25 to qualify for a BCS bowl. In that way, potential "undeserving" conference champions (I'm looking at you, Pittsburgh) wouldn't be selected over a higher ranked team that did not win its conference.

What do you think? Vote in the poll below!

Football

Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel provides his readers with the book on Northwestern.

UWBadgers.com talked to seniors Lance Kendricks and David Gilreath about how they felt as the team moves closer to Senior Day on Saturday.

Matt Lepay writes on his blog The Voice that Wisconsin's senior class has an opportunity for a very special send-off this weekend.

Bret Bielema has been chosen as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, according to UWBadgers.com.

Andy Baggot of Madison.com recaps a little history of the UW-Northwestern rivalry that has blossomed recently, despite the struggles of the Wildcats.

Hockey

The Wisconsin men's team got another in-state commitment, but UWBadgers.com thinks that he may choose to play junior hockey before he joins the Badgers.

A Final Note

3 days until the Badgers play for at least a share of the Big Ten title! I'll have something up on Friday, but for those of you traveling for Thanksgiving have a safe and fun holiday!

Poll

Should the BCS allow a unranked conference champion to play in a BCS bowl?

Yes. If a team wins its conference, they deserve a BCS spot.

43 votes

No. It prevents more deserving teams from playing in more prestigious bowls.

222 votes

265 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

Considering how the poll results are now 42 NO, 0 yes...

Could you close it? I think we’ve got the point…

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 24, 2010 9:14 AM CST reply actions

Very nice work, BTW.

I look forward to these just about every week.

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 24, 2010 9:15 AM CST reply actions

Doesn't disallowing certain conference champions kind of defeat the purpose of the BCS though?

The reason the BCS exists is to crown a national champion/upper tier of teams without actually having to play the games (sounds even stupider when you write it out, doesn’t it?). Those top-tier teams traditionally come from the group of teams that have won their conferences – making conference games a de-facto playoff. By not allowing the winner of the Big East to play in a bowl (and making them be replaced by a member of the Top 25) you’re de-emphasizing on-field performance even more in favor of subjective judgments by a body of voters who are not exactly perfect. This would be like taking a step back to the old “AP National Champions” days.

by lwnexgen on Nov 24, 2010 9:42 AM CST reply actions

maybe you have to be a conference champion and win at least 9 games?? so we don’t have another pittsuburgh/big east situation like this year

"I would say my biggest flaw, my Achilles heel is my tireless work ethic"-Kenny Powers

by Wisco12 on Nov 24, 2010 10:42 AM CST reply actions

Did anyone see/hear comments by that buffoone coach of Fresno?

I guess he said something to the effect that Boise would beat Bucky by 3 touchdowns?!

I don’t know why there is so much media man-love for this clown. Has his teams won anything?

Sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.

by White92 on Nov 24, 2010 1:16 PM CST reply actions

Pat Hill?

He of the one WAC conference championship, which had to be split three times (TCU, Hawaii, and Fresno all finished with 5-2 records)? Wow.

Beat Northwestern, THEN I'll talk Wisconsin in the BCS. But not until that happens.
For all the crap we give Wil Wheaton, he can still tackle better than Asante Samuel...

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Nov 24, 2010 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

Everyday Should Be Saturday Aggro tourism

Is focused on Madison this week. Anybody who has tailgating tips, anecdotes, or general do’s and don’ts for college football fans heading to Madison, be sure to stop over at edsbs.com and send Holly an email.

When I die I don't want no part of Heaven. I won't do Heaven's work well.

by stempke on Nov 24, 2010 1:56 PM CST reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

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

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