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Your B1G West division champion No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers (10-3 overall, 7-2 B1G) have been out in California for a few days now getting prepared to do battle with the Pac-12 Champion No. 6 Oregon Ducks (11-2 overall, 8-1 Pac-12) on New Year’s Day.
Here are some updates from the last few days on the Badgers as they have started taking in all the festivities and practices that surround The Granddaddy of Them All.
- A quick injury update from when the Badgers landed in Los Angeles. Noah Burks, who left the B1G Championship game early with an injury will be ready to play. Kayden Lyles will not.
#Badgers injury update: OLB Noah Burks is good to go for Rose Bowl. He was hurt early vs. OSU. Guard Kayden Lyles is still on crutches, however, and is out for bowl game. Davis Moorman set to start for Lyles.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) December 26, 2019
Trust me, Jaypo knows he misspelled David Moorman’s name, no need to tweet at him.
- There has also been some interesting comments regarding current Badgers that have eligibility remaining and whether or not they should go pro.
Talked to #Badgers coach Paul Chryst about future of WR Quintez Cephus - NFL or come back to UW. 1) Cephus loves his teammates and is having a blast. 2) He listens to sound as vice. 3) WR class coming out is LOADED. #clues
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) December 26, 2019
Jonathan Taylor said he doesn't plan on making an announcement about his future immediately after the Rose Bowl.
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) December 27, 2019
"Kind of need some time. It's been a long season. Want to make sure I make the right decision." #Badgers
FWIW, Jonathan Taylor should definitely go pro but I can certainly see an argument for Quintez Cephus coming back. I think Cephus could really improve his draft stock with another season, and a weaker wide receiver class, while Taylor has nothing left to prove at the collegiate level.
- Since everyone’s favorite past time is “Hollerin’ About the QB” it is important to remember that Jack Coan wasn’t at 100% at the end of the season.
Finally got #Badgers QB Jack Coan to acknowledge he was banged up and limited in a few games this season. Just didn’t want to make excuses. OC Joe Rudolph said they had Graham Mertz ready if needed but Coan played through it.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) December 27, 2019
The Mertz Train would’ve been coming down the tracks at ludicrous speeds were he to have started a game and won in November.
Joe Rudolph said Jack Coan was banged up earlier this season and #Badgers were getting Graham Mertz to start just in case.
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) December 27, 2019
Rudolph praised Mertz's preparation those weeks:
"I told him, 'Dude, if you've gotta go, you're ready.' I could see it, I could see his development."
- Tyler Biadasz did not ever think about skipping the bowl game.
Tyler Biadasz said there was zero thought on his part to sit out of the #Badgers bowl game.
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) December 27, 2019
"To me, it's simple. I'm here to play, this is what I love to do. I'm not going to leave my teammates and my brothers out there. I've competed with them this far. Why stop now?"
- I would LOVE to go to Disney World with Coach Dad. So much fun!
Both @oregonfootball and @BadgerFootball started off #RoseBowl week at the #HappiestPlaceOnEarth. pic.twitter.com/if3yBgDkZu
— Rose Bowl Game (@rosebowlgame) December 27, 2019
We will have more updates from California leading up to the game and we’ll also have a series of Q&As with our Oregonian friends at Addicted to Quack to post throughout the next few days.