Primary Sidebar
Badgers Fan Confidence Poll
Last tallied on 09/01.
Contact Us
Questions? Comments? Tips?
aahoge (at) gmail (dot) com
Big Ten Bloggers
Maize 'N' Brew
Black Shoe Diaries
Badger Bits: Alvarez discusses Big Ten divisions
by Adam Tupitza on Sep 2, 2010 12:29 PM CDT
in Badger Bits
0 comments
Well, the results are in, and in general Badger fans aren't really that thrilled about how things shook out for Wisconsin when it comes to these brand-spanking new Big Ten divisions. The Badgers have played the Iowa Hawkeyes in 71 of the past 73 seasons, but the two teams won't be facing off in 2011 and 2012. It can easily be argued that it will be harder for the Badgers to make it to the Big Ten Championship when they have to go through Penn State and Ohio State, as opposed to Iowa's main competition in Nebraska and Michigan. You can bet some Badger fans were looking forward to a Wisconsin/Nebraska game every year, but that's off the table as well. How did Barry Alvarez let this happen? Here's a few snippets from his interview with Mike Lucas:
"I would have loved to have protected Iowa. It does disappoint me to a certain extent."
"I asked for (Nebraska's first Big Ten game to take place in Madison). That's very satisfying."
"Minnesota (vs. Wisconsin) is part of college football history, and we wouldn't want to lose that."
"I think we have to keep working on adding that ninth league game and we will."
"Heck, you still have to go out and win football games. That's the bottom line."
After the jump, we've got the recap of Wisconsin at Indiana, 2009 trap game edition. Also, more Badger Bits. College football season starts tonight folks!
B5Q's Official Wisconsin Badgers Prediction: 11-1
by Adam Hoge on Sep 2, 2010 5:00 AM CDT
in UW Football
3 comments
So we did this last year and it worked out. I went out on a limb and said Wisconsin would win nine games in the regular season and they did.
This year, every ounce of sense in my head is telling me Wisconsin will have two losses in the regular season. The Badgers always seem to lose at least one game it shouldn't (usually on the road), which is in fact why I only had them winning nine last season.
But I truely believe this team will not only be better this season, but they will also be smarter and more focused. I don't expect them to roll into Iowa and come away with a win, but I also don't expect them to blow another 19-0 lead at Michigan.
Let's roll through the schedule:
Sept. 4 - at UNLV: Win
This was a close game when UW went out to Vegas in 2007. But the Badgers are better this year and UNLV has one of the worst defenses in the country - especially against the run.
Sept. 11 - San Jose State: Win
Hey, give the Spartans credit for scheduling. Before they go to Wisconsin, they play at Alabama. Bold, but also a good way to start 0-2.
3 comments | 1 recs |
JSOnline Roundtable No. 1, Part II: The Defense
The second installment of the Milwaukee Jounal Sentinel's first roundtable discussion focuses on the defense.
Again, both Jake Harris and I participated. Part III will be posted late tomorrow evening.
Consolation Prize: Hosting Nebraska's Big Ten debut
by Adam Hoge on Sep 1, 2010 8:21 PM CDT
in UW Football
9 comments
So the divisions came out exactly as was reported earlier today:
Division 1: Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa and Northwestern.
Division 2: Ohio State, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, Indiana and Illinois.
I wrote about my not so happy thoughts on the divisions earlier, so now we turn our attention to the 2011 and 2012 Big Ten schedules which were also released Wednesday:
2011
10/1 - Nebraska
10/15 - Indiana
10/22 - at Michigan State
10/29 - at Ohio State
11/5 - Purdue
11/12 - at Minnesota
11/19 - at Illinois
11/26 - Penn State
Consider it a consolation prize for having Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska placed in the other division, but Wisconsin will get to host Nebraska in its Big Ten debut. It makes a lot of sense with Barry Alvarez's ties to the university and his work in getting the Cornhuskers into the Big Ten.
Source: No divisions for basketball
I reported this one for 670TheScore.com so the link takes you there.
All I can say is thank goodness. Having Ohio State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois and Indiana in the same division would completely contradict the competitive balance of the football divisions.
Divisions not looking good for Wisconsin
by Adam Hoge on Sep 1, 2010 2:30 PM CDT
in UW Football
35 comments
The Big Ten will announce its two divisions tonight at 6 p.m. on the Big Ten Network and it's looking like the Wisconsin Badgers won't be enjoying the news.
According to ESPN.com's Andy Katz, the divisions will look like this:
Division 1: Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern and Minnesota.
Division 2: Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana and Illinois.
That's right Badger fans, if these divisions are true, Wisconsin's top two rivals -- and potential big time rival (Nebraska) -- will all be in the other division.
Ohio State and Michigan will also be split up and so will Northwestern and Illinois. In fact, at first glance, the only major rivalries that appear intact are Purdue-Indiana and Michigan-Michigan State.
So why are these the divisions?
From day one Jim Delany has said competitive balance would play a big part in forming the divisions. Well, it certainly did. Lindsey Willhite from the Daily Herald did the math and found that the two divisions' winning percentage since 1993 ARE BOTH .580.
JSOnline Roundtable No. 1, Part I: The Offense
Both Jake Harris and I are participating in a series of roundtable discussions this season on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's web site.
The first edition involves a disussion on Wisconsin's offense. Enjoy.
Badger Bits: Nzegwu tries to fill shoes of Schofield
by John Veldhuis on Sep 1, 2010 5:00 AM CDT
in Badger Bits
0 comments
Happy September everyone! Here are your Badger Bits for Wednesday, September 1st!
As the first game of the season draws near there are still a few starting spots that are up for grabs on the Badger football team. Both cornerback spots remain open, but one of the most interesting battles is at the defensive end position left vacant by the departure of O'Brien Schofield. Louis Nzegwu is looking to fill the rather large proverbial shoes left behind by Schofield, according to Erin Murphy of the Telegraph Herald.
Nzegwu will have to beat out fellow defensive end David Gilbert to get the job, but his extra experience with the team seems to give him the inside track towards obtaining the starting spot. Nzegwu came to Wisconsin as a three-star prospect, but has been hampered by injuries during previous years. Despite playing in just 10 games an not starting in any of them, Nzegwu was able to rack up 3.5 sacks for 24 yards. With Schofield gone, however, it appears as though Nzegwu will get a chance show that he can turn his raw talent into success at the college level.
"He's just an athletic freak, man," said sophomore defensive end David Gilbert, at 6-4 and 240 pounds a pretty impressive physical specimen himself. "He can jump a mile, he's really fast. He makes me look slow."
"He's taking steps in the right direction and improving fundamentally every day. That's what I'm looking for as we go through camp," Partridge said at media day. "Consistent footwork, consistent with his hands, taking care of his job first and then making the play ... A combination of those things will help him lead to success.
With J.J. Watt the only remaining starter on the defensive line from last year, the time is now for Nzegwu to step up and be a stabilizing force in the defense.
If you haven't purchased your copy of Badger Kickoff 2010 yet, what are you waiting for? Arm yourself with knowledge about your favorite team as they look to build upon a successful 2009 season. The magazine is available at news stands around Wisconsin, and you can order it via Maplestreetpress.com if you wish.
More Badger Bits after the jump!
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Badgers Football Schedule
| @ UNLV | Sat 09/04 | 10:00 PM CDT |
| San Jose St. | Sat 09/11 | 11:00 AM CDT |
Arizona St.
|
Sat 09/18 | 2:30 PM CDT |
| Austin Peay | Sat 09/25 | TBA |
|
@
Michigan St.
|
Sat 10/02 | TBA |
|
Minnesota
|
Sat 10/09 | 11:00 AM CDT |
|
Ohio St.
|
Sat 10/16 | 6:15 PM CDT |
|
@
Iowa
|
Sat 10/23 | TBA |
|
@
Purdue
|
Sat 11/06 | TBA |
|
Indiana
|
Sat 11/13 | TBA |
|
@
Michigan
|
Sat 11/20 | TBA |
|
Northwestern
|
Sat 11/27 | TBA |
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
