Badger Bits: There's a Game to be Played

Now that the long awaited coached search is finally over (I know it was only a two-week search, but really… didn’t it seem longer?) we can begin to talk about the fact that Wisconsin is just 11 days away from playing Stanford in the Rose Bowl -- assuming the World doesn’t end today and the Mayans were right.

Usually coaching searches take place after a season is over, and rarely do they happen to a school with the tradition of winning like Wisconsin has. I suppose this year is different.

If you look at the stats, it seems like Stanford is a pretty average team on offense. The Cardinal rank 94th in passing, 51st in rushing and 71st in points for. Their defense, similar to the two teams playing in the national championship, is carrying the team this season, allowing a mere 17.5 points per game, which ranks 14th in the country. In 10 of Stanford's 13 games, the defense has allowed fewer than 20 points.

The only mutual opponent between the two teams was Oregon State. The Badgers lost to the Beavers back in September, 10-7. Stanford, on the other hand, beat OSU in November, 27-23. What does that mean exactly? More than likely nothing, but it’s always interesting to see what different teams do against similar opponents.

I can’t speak for everyone, but I for one am excited about the chance to see this Badgers take the field on Jan. 1, with Barry Alvarez leading the team on the field for what he hopes to be, the last time.

Friday’s Links:

Gary Andersen finally makes his way to Madison, after a late night of letting his players know he was leaving Utah State.

Barry Alvarez is getting ready to take on the head coach's role for one more game.

Wisconsin is at the top of the list of Big Ten schools who are underdogs this bowl season.

Andy Buh is another one of the Wisconsin coaches leaving the team following the Rose Bowl.

Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly was named AP coach of the year.