Wisconsin's currently in the midst of yet another solid performance, leading Cal by double-digits for much of Monday night's game. The real highlight has been Bill Walton's umm, color commentary, on ESPN2 and his slightly weird but really enjoyable Madison lovefest. Thankfully, former B5Q contributor Jack Moore snapped this photo for us.
Kinda looks a little like Elton John here, right? Or, as our Andy Johnson says, "Mr. Steal ya girl." (h/t @jh_moore)
A lesson in branding: Double-check the logos -- especially the dates -- on the press conference backdrops before the cameras start rolling.
This is awesome: HopCat, a chain of craft beer bars based in Grand Rapids, Mich., is coming to Madison. The bar will be located at 222 W. Gorham Street (the old location of the Quaker Steak & Lube right off State Street) and feature 130 taps, many of which will serve Wisconsin-brewed beers. The 10,480-square foot location employ 175 people and serve a maximum of about 350. It'll also feature a rooftop bar for private events. (h/t Drew Hamm, photo courtesy HopCat)
Melvin Gordon is one of the two favorites to win this year's Heisman Trophy along with Oregon's quarterback Marcus Mariota. Well, if midwest region Sports Illustrated covers are something the voters take into account, looks like our man Melvin has got this one all sewn up. Buy extra copies and send them to your friends on the west coast so they can rub it in Oregon fan's faces.
UW-Whitewater coach Lance Leipold will reportedly become the next football coach at Buffalo, according to Sports Illustrated. Leipold has a 106-6 record at Whitewater, including including a 29-1 record in the D-III playoffs and five national championships. Now he's apparently moving on to the MAC, and a FBS program that finished 5-6 this year and was bowl-eligible in 2013 for the first time since 2008.
According to the SI report, Leipold, a pro-style offensive coach, is expected to bring at least one staff member with "major FBS recruiting experience" to Buffalo.
Breaking: J.J. Watt is doing J.J. Watt things. After forcing and recovering a fumble Sunday vs. the Tennessee Titans, the Houston Texans defensive end and former Wisconsin Badger lined up on offense and hauled in his third career touchdown catch. The Texans won, 45-21.
The Axe Game is a blast, especially if you're a Wisconsin fan (zing). One reason why? Photos like this, from Jeff Hanisch of USA TODAY Sports.
The line for Wisconsin entering Saturday's regular-season finale and Axe Game vs. Minnesota is 12-to-13 points, depending where you look. The game will kick off 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin is coming off a thrilling 26-24 road win over Iowa, while Minnesota upset Nebraska on the road, 28-24. We'll have much more on the game throughout the week. Odds via OddsShark.
Wisconsin has opened as an 8.5-point favorite over Iowa according to OddsShark, 5Dimes and BetOnline. The Badgers travel to Iowa City for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff after thrashing Nebraska on Saturday. Doing so gave the Badgers a one-game Big Ten West lead over Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska with two games remaining. Iowa beat Illinois on Saturday, 30-14.