Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst and defensive coordinator Dave Doeren both have recently been in the mix for head coaching vacancies in the Big Ten, but it looks like the pair will remain in Madison, at least for the time being. Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.com reports that Indiana will hire Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson as the new head coach. Doeren was in the mix for that job, as was Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell. And don't forget that Minnesota took a good look at Chryst, but ultimately decided to go with Northern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill. Does this mean the new Play4Brew.com will be "Play2Kill.com? Sounds kinda nefarious.
Could Chryst or Doeren still be the head coach of a Big Ten team next fall? The only two remaining potential coach openings in the Big Ten this offseason are Illinois and Michigan. The Fighting Illini would have to get absolutely lambasted by Baylor in their bowl game for Ron Zook to get fired; meanwhile, the situation at Michigan is certainly getting interesting. But Michigan wouldn't be in the market for a Wisconsin coordinator anyways. It stands to reason that Chryst or Doeren won't be at the helm of a Big Ten squad anytime soon, but job opportunities outside of the Big Ten are also concerns of anyone hoping that Wisconsin can keep these solid coordinators for years to come.
What's that smell?
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ESPN's Big Ten blog recaps Wisconsin's regular season. Rittenberg notes that Wisconsin's performance in the first six games did not lead anyone to expect the Badgers to play so well in the final six.
What's up with Chris Maragos? Well, he made his NFL debut with the 49ers on Sunday, and it just so happened to take place at Lambeau Field. Dave Heller catches up with the former Wisconsin safety.
The Daily Cardinal has its response to the Badger Herald's decision to post the names of students reselling Rose Bowl tickets over face value on Facebook. These two newspapers sure love to check-and-balance each other.
The most intriguing bowls of the year lists are coming out, and most rankings have this year's Rose Bowl as the second or third best bowl. Rivals.com has it at two.
TCU is going to be treating the Rose Bowl as a business trip, as they have no intention of losing two straight BCS bowl games.
Wisconsin will receive a large bowl payout this year, though the Big Ten's method of equally distributing bowl payouts among all member schools means the UW won't see much of the $21.2 million coming from the Rose Bowl.
Scott Tolzien and Barry Alvarez are living it up in New York City today. Tonight is the National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner. Alvarez will be officially inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, while Tolzien will be recognized as one of 16 NFF scholar-athletes.
TCU again doesn't get an opportunity to play in the National Championship game after an undefeated regular season. But if this editorial in the Fort Worth newspaper is any indication, the Horned Frogs are looking forward to playing the Badgers in the Rose Bowl.
If there's one thing Bo Ryan absolutely despises, it's turnovers. Fortunately, guards Jordan Taylor and Josh Gasser have done a good job of avoiding them this season.