Fanshots

The Outback Bowl was the most-viewed program in ESPN2 history

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Taking a great bowl win up another notch is the news that Wisconsin topped Auburn with 6.4 million people watching, the biggest audience for any program in the history of ESPN2. Viewers from around the country tuned in, eager for a free order of #CoconutShrimp, and the Badgers delivered.

Report: Badgers alum Ross Kolodziej to join staff

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WTMJ Radio's Greg Matzek has reported that former Badger and New York Giants defensive tackle Ross Kolodziej will be leaving his position as Pitt's strength and conditioning coach for the same position at Wisconsin. Kolodziej still holds weight room and pro day records at Wisconsin. He would replace Evan Simon, who left to join Gary Andersen at Oregon State.

And if the first half of the 140 characters aren't interesting enough, Matzek reports that Inoke Breckterfield -- instead of Matt House -- will be joining the Badgers to coach the defensive line. Breckterfield was the position coach of Aaron Donald in college, developing him into a first-round pick that had nine sacks as a rookie for the St. Louis Rams.

Report: Badgers to host Arizona State next season in hockey

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According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin will host Arizona State at the Kohl Center next season. As you already know, Arizona State is taking its program to the Division I level for the first time next year. Wisconsin is expected to make a return trip in the future. In an additional scheduling note, Wisconsin is expected to make a return trip to Michigan Tech some time in the next two seasons.

Report: Joe Rudolph in Madison to talk with Paul Chryst

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Current Pitt interim head coach/offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph is reportedly in Madison talking to new Badgers head coach Paul Chryst. You may remember Rudolph as the Wisconsin tight ends coach from 2008-2011 who joined Chryst's staff in Pittsburgh as the offensive coordinator/right hand man. This is a positive development for Chryst's new staff in Madison. We will update as we know more.

Once again, maybe the asst coach pay wasn't that big of issue

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Bielema losing an assistant for a "lateral" move a year after losing his DC for a lateral move. More proof the UW pay scale probably wasn't nearly the big deal it's been made out.

Frank Kaminsky named Big Ten Player of the Week

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Detective Frank Kaminsky racked up his fourth career conference player of the week award. Kaminsky had 25 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks in the Badgers' win over Buffalo and dropped 14 and eight against Cal last week.

Wisconsin opens up Big Ten play on Wednesday afternoon against Penn State.

Report: No love for Andy Ludwig

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Former Colorado State offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin will join Gary Andersen at Oregon State, according to FootballScoop.com. Normally, this post would explain how said move improves the chances of Andy Ludwig remaining in Wisconsin, but with Paul Chryst back in town and Joe Rudolph frequently rumored to be following Chryst to Wisconsin, it seems unlikely that Ludwig has a spot on UW's staff moving forward.

Of course, things could change (how's that for edging a bet). As Andy Baggot reminded us on Madison.com on Saturday, some of the Badgers' best statistical offensive seasons have come under Ludwig. The Badgers averaged 480.8 yards per game last season (18th in the country) and are averaging 464.8 this season (24th) entering the season). But while the likes of Joel Stave, Tanner McEvoy, Kenzel Doe and, of course, Andersen certainly garnered criticism for their performances this season, they also had a fair share of support come that way. Ludwig really had none of that.

49ers LB Chris Borland out for remainder of NFL season

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The San Francisco 49ers fell 17-7 in Seattle on Sunday, but it looks like another injury will harm their defense. The ankle injury linebacker Chris Borland suffered in Sunday's game against the Seahawks looks to be enough to end his late Rookie of the Year charge for the Badger alumnus.

Borland will end the year with 107 tackles, two interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery. Those numbers are made all the more impressive when you consider Borland made 100 of those tackles in the eight games he started.

Report: Dave Aranda will return as Wisconsin defensive coordinator

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Dave Aranda will return as Wisconsin's defensive coordinator under Paul Chryst, Andy Baggot of the Wisconsin State Journal reports. Our in-depth analysis:

That's pretty huge.

Interesting detail, too, from Zach Heilprin of ESPN Wisconsin: "Was told that a number of players, including most of the linebackers, went to Dave Aranda last week to ask him to stay."

Paul Chryst a 'done deal' to UW; expected to make a run at Bob Bostad

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We heard Bob Bostad's name mentioned early in the "Paul Chryst to Wisconsin" rumors stage, and now they appear to be heating up again. Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports reports that Paul Chryst is expected to take a run at Bostad, the current Tennessee Titans offensive line coach who was the Badgers' run game coordinator from 2006-11. He also coached tight ends in his first two year at Madison before moving to run game/offensive line coach duties.

Also on Tuesday, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that Chryst to Wisconsin is a "done deal." The newspaper's report also says Bostad "has told friends he’d like to get back to the Midwest and coach in college again."