Complete collapses left Wisconsin reeling in the Big Ten hunt. Michigan State ripped apart Wisconsin's defense for an average of 7 yards per play and 399 yards of total offense.

On the surface, that sounds about right.

In reality, 3 giant plays got the Spartans the bulk of their offensive yardage. A 34-yard end around TD by Keshawn Martin (complete with multiple missed tackles). A 35-yard TD strike from Cousins to B.J. Cunningham that improbably got into the endzone, also because of multiple missed tackles. Finally, a 44-yard TD pass from Cousins to Nichol as time expired.

All told, on 3 offensive plays, all of which went for TDs, the Badgers gave up 113 yards.

Ouch. That's quite awful. Add in the fact that Michigan State was not assessed a single penalty, and you have a recipe for disaster.

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Very sore subject here I know, but I'd like to see other fans opinion on defending the Hail Mary.  I know what I am asking would not have helped in the game Vs. OSU, but it may have been effective Vs MSU.

By rushing just 3 lineman, and dropping 8 guys to near the endzone, you are giving the opposing QB time to throw without anyone in his face.  Further, you are giving the opposing wideouts time to run to the endzone.  Given that even the fastest guys run only 4.3 in the 40 yard dash it is going to take at least that long to even reach the endzone.  Further still, with so many bodies near the endzone, the chance is greater that the ball pinballs off of someone and ends up in the wrong hands.

Why not rush at least 4, and possibly even 5 guys, and at least contest the receivers (if not play outright press coverage)?  You would still have at minimum 6 and maybe 7 guys to cover their 5 receivers.  One of the guys you rush should at least get some pressure on the QB before the wideouts can even get to the endzone.

I'm not a football expert by any means.  I would just like to see others opinion on defending the Hail Mary in such manner.  Thanks

Hey all, Cheeseandcorn here. Like you guys, I've been eagerly awaiting this game since, oh, about three seconds after it was announced. I know a lot of you folks from either here or Brew Crew Ball or Acme Packing Company, so I thought it might be fun to have a Q&A thread going as we lead up to the game.

In case you were wondering, yes, I do count myself a fan of both Nebraska and Wisconsin (I split my childhood between the two states). I'll be mostly cheering for the Huskers on Saturday, though I'll really be happy either way as long as both teams play a strong, well-contested game. I'm just as excited for Nebraskans to see what the Badgers' smashmouth style is all about as I am to see how the Huskers measure up against it.

So ask away, and here's to an instant-classic game!

Hey guys, here is your open game thread for chat in Wisconsin's first road game of 2011.  The game is underway, Wisconsin currently leads 14-7 early in the second quarter.

This game, as mentioned previously, features Wisconsin playing against one of their former coordinators, which adds a huge subplot to this game.

Feel free to list your predictions, thoughts on the game, and keep those of us who can't watch updated on how the game is going.  Go Badgers!

Also, feel free to move this to the front page in lieu of a normal game thread.

If you look at the 2011 Badgers, they aren't much different than the 2010 Badgers.  Alot of new faces on both sides, but the talent level is very similar, and we have some key players back from last year.  Of course, last year's team boasted one of the top offenses in the FBS, and finished in the Top 10 in the nation, despite losing to TCU in the Rose Bowl. 

But there's one difference between the two teams that wasn't even present at spring practice.  You know already...it's Russell Wilson.

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Hi all.  I am headed to an event here in Chicago tomorrow to meet with the great Barry Alvarez and coach Bret Bielema.  I have always wanted to attend one of these, but every year until now I've had a scheduling conflict.  I am hopeful there will be some type of Q & A opportunity.  I have a couple of questions in mind, but was wondering if any of you would have a question for either of these guys that I might get the chance to ask.  Thanks

Rebels vs Badgers coverage

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Hi Gang !

Well , it's a Friday morning in the middle of what I'd call the longest summer of my sports loving life .

Baseball is middling along with little or no fanfare , the NFL lockout has robbed us of any buzz we might be feeling about free agents and rookies reporting to camps and the only thing really getting my blood up is the US Womens soccer team .

With Nebraska on board now and some of the big story lines in the Big Ten , I AM READY FOR SOME BIG TEN FOOTBALL !

I'd really like to hear from you guys what you think will happen this year in the Big Ten .

Will Wisky ride the rocket of hype and power to a another Big Ten title and beyond ?

Will Nebraska come in and be the new "sherrif" on the block and force it's will on the rest of the Conference ?

Will Ohio St fold under the weight of scandle , player and coach losses , and media pressure ?

Can Mich St show the consistancy it needs to stay on top with that talented returning cast ? Not nearly enough national love going to that bunch...yet

How about Illinios and Penn St ? Teams by all accounts on the come that will face some serious non conference tests , and then some battle tested , veteran Big Ten teams along the way .

How are things going to shake out with Brady Hoke and the Wolverines ? maybe the best recruiting class in the Conference ( thank you OSU! ) Can Michigan find enough defense to stay with the league favorites . We know Denard will be giving people fits again , new offense or not !

What about Northwestern ? I have a lot of love for PF and what he's done there , but will it be enough to be a player at the end of the day ?

Iowa , Jeckle and Hyde.. With their last 4 against Michigan , Mich St , at Purdue ( better get that one ) and at Nebraska , can they avoid yet anouther late season collapse and stay in the running to the end ?

Indiana and Purdue . Can you guys put together one team and be competitive ? That might not be fair but these teams will likely be in over their heads again this year..Will they trip one of the big boyz up and send some ripples through the conference standings ?

Lots of questions , AND I WANT ANSWERS !!

I have my opinions which I'll share along the way , but lets hear from your guys !

September 1st it all starts rolling , and it can't get here fast enough !

Have a great weekend !

Paul

My name is Alex and I am the lead editor for a website called spartanavenue.com, a michigan state sports website. I am conducting a little bit of fun research for an article I'm writing.

In the comments section below, if you could list what rivalry you feel is the best in college sports in terms of most hatred towards each other, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

I will be post a link to the article when I publish it likely sometime next week.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

Wisconsin, one year after upsetting a ranked Ohio State team on its home turf, faced the Buckeyes again. Brooks Bollinger would start his final game against the Buckeyes, who entered Camp Randall with an undefeated record.

More details? Wisconsin had started off the season by winning 5 nonconference games. They began Big Ten play by losing to Penn State and Indiana. Yes, that's right. The 2002 Badgers had just lost to GERRY DiNARDO. That's...embarrassing. That's pretty bad. Making matters worse? Wisconsin had lost 7 of their last 9 conference games at home, and their last 2 games at home against Ohio State (1995 and 2000; with a Big Ten break from 1997 to 1998) 

Clarett ran for 133 yards on 30 carries, but suffered a shoulder stinger near the end of the game that severely limited him over the rest of the season. Good riddance.

Wisconsin would play Ohio State at home, though. That made this game so much greater...and so much worse.

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