Morning! I hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend, filled with good food and lots of pyrotechnics. With that said, let's launch into today's links.
Three Wisconsin Badgers were named to the Maxwell Award watch list, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The running back tandem of Montee Ball and James White made the cut, as well as new Badgers quarterback Russell Wilson. The Maxwell Football Club gives the award annually to the best player in college football. Ron Dayne was the last Badger to take home the trophy in 1999, when he rushed for 1,843 yards and took home the Heisman Trophy.
Granted, the chances of Ball, White, or Wilson winning the award are probably slim. The success of the Wisconsin offense will depend on the three of them playing off of each other's strengths, so I doubt one player will dominate statistically. But, of the three players, who has the best chance to take home the hardware? Vote in the poll!
With all the talk about pre-season watch lists, EDSBS has made their own. It's pretty good for a laugh!
Brian Bennett of ESPN.com's Big Ten blog ranked Wisconsin's linebackers No. 4 in the Big Ten, and third in the Leaders division behind Penn State and Ohio State. Individually, sophomore Chris Borland checks in at No. 3, and his unit partner Mike Taylor just made the cut at No. 10.
Mike Lucas of UWBadgers.com writes that The Sporting News is firmly in the Badgers' corner for the 2011 season.
K.C. Joyner takes some time to look at what could go wrong with Russell Wilson's transfer to the Badgers, according to Brian Bennett.
Biddy Martin may be "former UW Chancellor" now, but she's still a Badgers fan for life, according to Rob Schultz of Madison.com.
Nebraska admitted to a few NCAA violations from 2007-2010, according to Sports Illustrated. Welcome to the club, Cornhuskers. You can take a seat next to Ohio State.
Have a great day! Only 57 days until Wisconsin football!