Badger Bits: Bret Bielema, Bo Ryan and Hate

Wisconsin week at OTE wrapped with this Wisconsin hate piece. The piece wasn't so much about all-encompassing hate for the state and university. Rather, it mostly slammed Bret Bielema and Bo Ryan and their on-field/court demeanor. Considering it was penned by a Michigan State blogger, it's not surprising that it focused more on actual sports than territorial chest-beating. The hate is seeping past the Minnesota-Iowa-Illinois borders and that's kind of a good thing.

Do Ryan and Bielema deserve the hate? Yeah, probably. Irrational sports opinions have been built on far subtler ticks than Bo's face and Bret's card. That's one reason why we like this game. It allows us to vent our spleens at faraway objects instead of at people we care about and/or have to diplomatically endure in our work places and grocery stores.

But the important thing to remember about hate is that it's really just a more accomplished form of mockery, the difference being respect. You beat me and you're arrogant? I hate your face. Talking trash after losing? That's cute. It's the reason the Charlie Weis era at Notre Dame was so much fun. It's the reason Mark Dantonio doesn't get as many Sam the Eagle jokes as he should.

I'll take the Bret/Bo hate because it means they're doing something right. Their records bear that out I think. Nobody truly hates a loser.

Well, Danny Hope maybe. But that guy's a jerk.

Links after the jump:

Wisconsin-Notre Dame series? Biels says why not:

Have tried to get Notre Dame on in the past schedules, now Michigan is taking a break in 2018 & 2019. Will see what we can do for Wisco!

— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) June 29, 2012

The college football playoffs are here, which ostensibly means we could see better scheduling in the future. Let's hope Barry follows through.

Montee Ball and James White are tabbed as the best running back tandem in the country by Yahoo!(!)

Jordan Taylor went undrafted in the 2012 NBA Draft, but is hoping to latch on somewhere as a free agent. He may join the Milwaukee Bucks' summer league.

Ohio State running back Jordan Hall is out 10 weeks after cutting his foot while walking on grass.

Erin Andrews is leaving Bristol, headed for FOX.

Wrapping up: Hoegher with a fantastic FanPost preview of Wisconsin over at OTE. Read it now.