Badger Football Message Board

Clay to the NFL?

thebiga — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:08:45 GMT

UW is looking into what is draft status might be. It's prudent to do. If the guy can get paid to play he should go for it. UW will be fine too. Ball is the real thing and Brown will also be back. I wonder when we'll hear that they're doing this for Carimi too.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/70370652.html

Senior Day

jimmythegreek — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:48:43 GMT

Prior to the game, Wisconsin will recognize 22 members of its football team, including 18 players, who are participating in their final game at Camp Randall. The players being honored are Dan Cascone, Nate Emanuel, Garrett Graham, Will Hartmann, Jordan Hein, Tyler Holland, Richard Kirtley, Chris Maragos, Jaevery McFadden, Prince Moody, Dan Moore, Erik Prather, O’Brien Schofield, Dustin Sherer, Jeff Stehle, T.J. Theus, Mickey Turner and Drew Woodward

Of the players above who contributed, I would list their value or difficulty in replacing as follows

1) OBS - major loss. his ability to rush the passer allowed DD to call more base coverage. not sure there is anyone on the current roster or in the pipeline who can replace him at his level.

2) Maragos - how many times have we've seen this story. walkon becomes impact contributor and team leader. as with his predecessors, his loss may be felt more off the field than on. hopefully, the switch of henry from cb to safety will cover his onfield loss.

3) Graham - Started the season on fire and was at one time rated the top TE in the nation. Hard to replace, but Kendricks has proven to be more than adequete. Byrne has gotten some playing time this year and I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the WR's (Jefferson) to convert to TE.

4) McFadden - Solid player but LB will be a strength in 2010 with Sorenson, Taylor and Borland

5) Turner - unspectacular but solid. hopefully Bradie Ewing can step into this spot

6) Moore/Stehle - Both did a good job in the dline rotation this year. hopefully some of the redshirt/frosh will help to replenish the line with the quality they provided.

7) Sherer - We should have considerable qb depth in 2010. Tolzien, Phillips, Budmayr and Brennan. Could be the best group in a long long time.

OT - Stefanie Speilman

Mr Bad Example — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:49:10 GMT

Stefanie Spielman passed away today.

End of the year ranking

Dissident94 — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:26:29 GMT

What do you guys think Wisconsin ranking will be at the end of the year. It does mean a lot going into next year. If we can get into the top ten we should start next year with a top ten ranking since we are have most of our key players on offense and some on defense coming back.

Northwestern will be tough and traveling all the way to Hawaii. But Wisconsin is clearly better than them. If we win out and win our bowl I saw we end up #8

What's Harder for a New Head Coach?

runningwithscissors — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:32:48 GMT

to take over a program and maintain 9-10 wins a season (or more) or bring back a program from the dead like Harbaugh has done with Stanford?

Only an opinion, there is no right or wrong answer here I think, but interesting topic/subject I think.

USC = overrated

CollegeFootballGuru — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:32:37 GMT

USC lost to an unranked Washington and got destroyed by Oregon and they still carry a #12 ranking. LOL.

Here's a quote I just heard from Pete Carroll on College Gameday regarding Oregon.

"They played faster than we wanted them to."

LOL.

Fire Bret

wmvusa — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:56:31 GMT

If If If but but but. If ifs and buts were candy and nuts everything would be better on New Years Day or the week after.

Ohio State practiced returning interceptions, Wisconsin only thought about teaching offensive players how to tackle. Tressel does not coach special teams. He is confident that being the Head Coach makes him man enough. How come every announcer needs to make a big deal about how Bret is the Special Teams coach too? He is only 3/5 of a great coach. If we accept mediocrity then he is the right guy for us. Maybe when he grows up he’ll be ready to coach Iowa. Prediction, the Badger's beat no one that they are not suppose to. In other words they will beat every team that has a losing record. Wow what an accomplishment.

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 17, 2009)

Jim Ganzer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:26:08 GMT

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 17, 2009)

WHAT'S BEING WRITTEN AND SAID

Madison.com - Lucas at Large: From the 'hot seat' to Big Ten 'Coach of the Year'?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Bscherer earns starting spot: Junior shows enough to unseat Oglesby
Wisconsin State Journal - Nowhere to run for UW opponents
WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Head coach Bret Bielema’s Monday News Conference, with complete transcript
Saturday’s game at Northwestern will be televised by the Big Ten Network with Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin and Charissa Thompson on the call.
NOTE OF THE DAY

True freshman linebacker Chris Borland had a career-high 11 tackles vs. Michigan and has 20 tackles in his last two games. Despite only starting the last three games, Borland is tied for fourth on the team with 46 tackles and tied for third with 7.5 tackles for loss. He has forced four fumbles, recovered three, while also recording an interception and a blocked punt. He also has five kickoff returns for 67 yards.

Borland is just the sixth player in Wisconsin history to recover three fumbles in a season and just the third to force and recover at least three in a season (Jim DeLisle forced six and recovered four in 1968 and Ed Bosold forced three and recovered five in 1972). Wisconsin’s complete notes for Saturday’s game at Northwestern can be found here.

UW-MU Game coverage

Tim Prahl — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:10:24 GMT

Graham starts things off on the Badgers opening drive with a nice run after catch. Good looking drive for UW.

UW Michigan Predictions!?!?

runningwithscissors — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:35:09 GMT

38-24 badgers of course.

was supposed to go to the game but couple of the kids have flu and the mrs has to work. ugh.

oh well just a reason to take a trip to Evanston next weekend!

Montee Ball

jimmythegreek — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:09:39 GMT

Finally caught up on the DVR viewing of the last few games and I'm still trying to qualify Chryst's statement that Ball is a "special back." When they pulled his redshirt (great idea in hindsight) he made this statement. I'm still trying to figure out what sets him apart from the stable of backs coming out of the UW over the past 10 years.

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 13, 2009)

Jim Ganzer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:17:48 GMT

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 13, 2009)

WHAT'S BEING WRITTEN AND SAID

Wisconsin State Journal - Dayne's run more memorable in hindsight
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Senior adviser: Ex-UW starter Sherer plays mentor
Badger Herald - Seniors to thank for solid football
WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Head coach Bret Bielema’s post-practice media session from yesterday
Tomorrow’s game against Michigan will start at 11 a.m. CT and be televised by the Big Ten Network with Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin and Charissa Thompson on the call.
NOTE OF THE DAY

Tomorrow is Senior Day for Wisconsin as 22 members of the football team will be honored in a pre-game ceremony. The list consists of 18 players (Dan Cascone, Nate Emanuel, Garrett Graham, Will Hartmann, Jordan Hein, Tyler Holland, Richard Kirtley, Chris Maragos, Jaevery McFadden, Prince Moody, Dan Moore, Erik Prather, O’Brien Schofield, Dustin Sherer, Jeff Stehle, T.J. Theus, Mickey Turner and Drew Woodward) as well as student assistant Terrance Jamison and student managers Tyler Guetschow, Tyler Cassini, and Ben Swanson.
For UW’s complete game notes for tomorrow’s game, please click here.

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 12, 2009)

Jim Ganzer — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:23:20 GMT

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 12, 2009)

WHAT'S BEING WRITTEN AND SAID

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Saturday’s game against Michigan will start at 11 a.m. CT and be televised by the Big Ten Network with Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin and Charissa Thompson on the call.

NOTE OF THE DAY

Wisconsin is allowing just 72.0 rushing yards per game in Big Ten play, tops in the conference. None of the six teams UW has faced in league play has topped the 100-yard mark against the Badgers on the ground. That is the longest stretch for UW’s defense since limiting the first six opponents of the 2004 season to fewer than 100 yards rushing. Dating back to last season, Wisconsin has held nine of its last 10 Big Ten opponents to less than 100 yards rushing.

For UW’s complete game notes for this Saturday’s game, please click here.

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 11, 2009)

Jim Ganzer — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:51:38 GMT

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 11, 2009)

WHAT'S BEING WRITTEN AND SAID

Wisconsin State Journal - Jamison to share spotlight with fellow seniors
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Seizing the moment: Improved execution has helped Badgers
The Badger Herald - It’s ‘TOOOOOOOOOOOON Time’

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Ravens' Katula (former Badger) explains the mystery of long snapping
Saturday’s game against Michigan will start at 11 a.m. CT and be televised by the Big Ten Network with Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin and Charissa Thompson on the call.

NOTE OF THE DAY

Wisconsin ranks third in the Big Ten and 16th in the country in third-down conversions, having converted 47.7 percent (61-of-128) of its third-down chances. However, looking at situational third-downs, the numbers are more revealing:

            3rd-and-long

                        3rd-and-7 or less = 69.3 percent (52-of-75)

                        3rd-and-8 or more = 17.0 percent (9-of-53)

            3rd-and-short

                        3rd-and-1 or 3rd-and-2 = 85.7 percent (30-of-35)

Badger running backs (John Clay, Montee Ball and Zach Brown) have combined to convert 23-of-24 (95.8 percent) of third and less than three yards.

For UW’s complete game notes for this Saturday’s game, please click here.

LSU Done!

thebaumer — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:18:46 GMT

Looks like LSU took advantage of a weak SEC a couple of years ago. They are no longer a contender for the SEC title, and now merely a footnote in history. What can be done? Florida is dominating. Bama is back. LSU is just a middle of the pack SEC team. Should they fire Miles? Bring in more felons. Discuss!

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 5, 2009)

Jim Ganzer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:02:25 GMT

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 5, 2009)

WHAT'S BEING WRITTEN AND SAID

Wisconsin State Journal – UW finds that football success begins with recruiting
Madison.com - Inside the Playbook: Kendricks on H-back end-around
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Ah, those kids: Youth helping Bucky
WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Wisconsin at Indiana preview, courtesy of the Big Ten Network
Saturday’s game at Indiana will be televised by the Big Ten Network with Craig Coshun, Glen Mason and Mike Hall on the call
NOTE OF THE DAYSenior O’Brien Schofield was named one of 16 finalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the best defensive player in the country. He is one of just three defensive ends on the list.

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 10, 2009)

Jim Ganzer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:25:40 GMT

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 10, 2009)

WHAT'S BEING WRITTEN AND SAID

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Head coach Bret Bielema’s Monday News Conference, with complete transcript
Saturday’s game against Michigan will start at 11 a.m. CT and be televised by the Big Ten Network with Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin and Charissa Thompson on the call.

NOTE OF THE DAY

Defensive ends O’Brien Schofield and J.J. Watt have combined for 29.0 tackles for loss this season. That is the second-most in the country by teammates, trailing only Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan and Jason Werner (30.5 TFLs). The Badgers did not have a player with double-digit TFLs last year. The last time two UW players combined for more than 29.0 TFLs was 2003 - Anttaj Hawthorne (20.0 TFLs) and Alex Lewis (16.5 TFLs).

For UW’s complete game notes for this Saturday’s game, please click here.

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 9, 2009)

Jim Ganzer — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:32:38 GMT

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 9, 2009)

WHAT'S BEING WRITTEN AND SAID

Wisconsin State Journal - Ball answers the bell
Wisconsin State Journal - Borland showing he's not just another true freshman
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Resilient Badgers overcome gaffes: Still a win and a climb in polls
WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Head coach Bret Bielema’s Monday News Conference will be live-streamed at UWBadgers.com beginning at 12:30 p.m. CT. A complete transcript will also be available later this afternoon.

Saturday’s game against Michigan will start at 11 a.m. CT and be televised by the Big Ten Network with Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin and Charissa Thompson on the call.
NOTE OF THE DAY

According to the NCAA statistics, Wisconsin has played the 14th-toughest schedule in the country thus far and the toughest in the Big Ten. The two teams UW has lost to (Ohio State and Iowa) have a combined record of 17-3. Among teams with the 15 toughest schedules in the country, Wisconsin and Oregon have the best records (both are 7-2).

OT: Purdue-Michigan post-game

thebiga — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:22:20 GMT

This is from si.com. I found it interesting since Michigan is up next. Bottom line, Hope is a total a-hole if this really happened and Rod is not long for Ann Arbor.

"Danny Hope, Purdue's fiery first-year coach, shed a tear during his postgame interview after the 4-6 Boilers won their first game in Ann Arbor since 1966 on Saturday. Having overcome a 1-5 start to post wins over both Ohio State and Michigan and keep alive hopes of a bowl berth, you couldn't help crack a smile for him.

Conversely, Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez -- whose team has lost five of six since it 4-0 start -- looked bewildered and overwhelmed fielding questions during a postgame press conference. "At moments we're beating ourselves," he said. "You've got to give them credit. Purdue did a nice job. ..."

At that point, Rodriguez trailed off and his mind appeared to wander for a second. He then proceeded to launch into a tangent about a "disappointing" postgame moment with Hope. He said the Purdue coach shook his hand, then introduced offensive lineman Zach Reckman, who was suspended by the Big Ten for a game earlier this season for a cheap shot against a Northern Illinois player. His suspension was announced the same day Rodriguez publicly questioned the conference for a similar suspension of his own player, Jonas Mouton, and pledged to "watch every Big Ten game closely" for similar acts.

"Their coach seemed to bring [Reckman] over like I was the reason that his lineman got suspended for the one game," said Rodriguez. "He came over and shook my hand and then introduced Mr. Reckman and then said, 'Thanks coach, we appreciate what you did.'"

If the conversation did happen the way Rodriguez described (a SportsCenter clip showed an interaction involving the three of them but with no audio), that's an awfully petty move by Hope -- especially by involving his player. Address those matters privately. Don't mock a competitor moments after beating him.

But the real loser in the situation, as has increasingly been the case this season, is Rodriguez. The West Virginia native often gets himself in trouble simply for his natural instinct to say whatever's on his mind, regardless of how it looks publicly. Hope may be petty, but Rodriguez comes off as a sore loser for even brining up the subject when he should be explaining why his offense has so badly regressed and his defense remains terrible.

He'll have a whole lot more explaining to do if Michigan loses its last two games to Wisconsin and Ohio State and finishes with its second straight losing season."

Badgers ranked 13th in FoxSports power ranking...

Rorsch — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:45:33 GMT

I know it doesn't mean anything, but I was still surprised the Badgers were ranked so highly in the Fox power ranking, ahead of Iowa and Penn State (Ohio State is ranked 6th), especially after having a somewhat close call against Indiana. Although the Badgers should have dominated the game, and the final score wasn't really an indication of the how close the game was (or was not) since the Badgers were never truly in danger of losing the lead, I am still surprised Fox ranked them so highly. I guess they could be headed for a decent bowl this year, especially if they manage to win out.

This next game against Michigan is obviously quite critical. I can't wait until Saturday.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/powerRankings

Here we go again...

beemo — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:27:21 GMT

Maurice Moore carries on the DUI tradition at UW. See MJS story.

Kickoff time announced for Big Ten finale at Northwestern

Jim Ganzer — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:40:58 GMT

MADISON, Wis. –Wisconsin will close out its 2009 Big Ten season with a 2:30 p.m. (CT) kickoff at Northwestern on Nov. 21, the Big Ten announced on Monday. The game will air live on the Big Ten Network.

The Badgers lead the all-time series with the Wildcats, 55-32-5, and own a 28-17-1 mark in games played in Evanston, Ill. The two teams have not met since 2006 when Wisconsin won 41-9 in Madison. Northwestern has won its past two home games against Wisconsin.

Up next for the Badgers is their final home game of the season. The team hosts Michigan on Senior Day at Camp Randall Stadium. Game time is set for 11 a.m. and the action will air live on Big Ten Network.

Thoughts for a Crazy BT Finish

runningwithscissors — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:19:50 GMT

PSU got beat today. Iowa could very well lose their last 2 games. MSU could very well be fighting for a bowl berth when they play PSU at home.

UW just has to keep winning. Strange things can happen. UW is currently #21 in the current BCS. Could they creep up in the top 12 or 14 teams by season end if they win out? At this point the computers (BCS) seem to like UW a little more than the polls.

sad to say but the win over Fresno State so far looks like our best/only quality win so far this season.

Badgers ranked once again in Coaches Poll

pastaboy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:48:05 GMT

Badgers are rated #22 in this weeks Coaches Poll. With 4 games left that they should win, a New Years Bowl game is not out of the Question. This is a young team, that showed when they play together and limit mistakes can be a formidable team.

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 8, 2009)

Jim Ganzer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:01:36 GMT

WISCONSIN FOOTBALL TODAY (Nov. 8, 2009)

WHAT'S BEING WRITTEN AND SAID

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Highlights from yesterday’s 31-28 win over Indiana, courtesy of the Big Ten Network

NOTE OF THE DAY

Wisconsin had two 100-yard rushers (John Clay and Montee Ball) and a 100-yard receiver (Nick Toon) in the same game for just the fourth time in school history. The last time it happened was on Sept. 24, 1994 in a 62-13 win over Indiana. Terrell Fletcher ran for 146 yards and Brent Moss carried for 110 yards while Tony Simmons had 114 yards receiving.