I'm going to forgo my usual failed-attempt at humor here so I can just say this: wow. Who would have thought that the Badgers would rebound so well after losing to Michigan State in the conference opener? It's been such a privilege to watch and write about this team, and hopefully the best is yet to come in Pasadena. Now, enough of my sappiness- Badger links ahoy!
Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has a piece up saying that the Badgers having been showing that they mean business after losing to Michigan State on October 2nd. Since that game, the Badgers have outscored their opponents 338-155, which ends up being an average score of around 48-22.
When combined with the generally improved special teams play, a stout but not excellent defense, and the steamroller than is the Wisconsin offense an interesting question can be posed: Is this the best Wisconsin team ever?
What do you think? Vote in the poll, and be sure to explain your reasoning!
You could certainly make a strong case for the 2010 squad being the best. For example, the Badgers rank 1st in the nation in penalties committed, 2nd in turnover margin, 2nd in TD% per Redzone trip, 4th in points per game, and 12th in rushing yards per game.
Football
Mike Lucas of UWBadgers.com sat down and talked to Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien after the Badgers clinched a share of the Big Ten Title. Lucas came away very impressed with Tolzien, who now leads the nation in pass completion percentage at 74.2%.
As usual, bowl projections are out after the week that was in college football. Surprise, surprise: Wisconsin is in the Rose Bowl in Off Tackle Empire's predictions as well as Adam Rittenberg's guesstimations. I suppose all-but-clinching BCS berths kinda take the fun out of predictions.
Rittenberg also writes over at ESPN's Big Ten blog that the Badgers have a very healthy edge over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the BCS standings, and that Wisconsin's first Rose Bowl berth in 11 seasons is all-but guaranteed.
ESPN's Mark Schlabach also writes that the Badgers, along with the Stanford Cardinal, are some of the biggest benefactors after Boise State lost to Nevada.
Hockey
Sophomore defenseman Justin Schultz had a hat trick on Saturday night, as the Badgers beat the Michigan State Spartans 4-1. Wisconsin manages a 4-4 tie with Michigan on Friday night.
Andy Baggot of Madison.com writes that Wisconsin's freshmen are making their presence felt on the team.
Chuck Schwartz of Sixty Minutes. No Alibis. No Regrets. had time to talk with future Badger Brad Navin over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Basketball
The Badgers made it to the finals of the Old Spice classic, but fell to Notre Dame 58-51. The Badgers had a rare collapse, as they lead by 11 with nine minutes left to play. Notre Dame proceeded to go on a 15-0 run to take the lead.
A Final Note
Sadly my regular season countdown has drawn to a close. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your point of view) I will still have one for the 2011 Rose Bowl game! (pending that the Badgers stay ahead of tOSU, yadda yadda..) Without further ado:
33 days until the Badgers presumably will play in Pasadena!