Wisconsin was the laughing stock of the Big Ten before Barry Alvarez came to town. Since then, Wisconsin has become one of the more premier programs in the nation. Before the Badgers' 1993 title, their last title was in 1962.
Wisconsin made six total bowl appearances from 1889-1990, winning only once. Under Barry Alvarez, the Badgers appeared in 11 from 1991-2005, winning eight times, including three Rose Bowl titles.
However, the University of Wisconsin has only three conference titles since 1993. The Badgers have had the potential to win more, but somehow lose it at the end of the season.
That was the past, this is now, and Wisconsin is most well-equipped to dethrone the Buckeyes. Overall, Wisconsin has the veteran experience to match up with Ohio State.
Their biggest question is if Allan Everidge will play as well as his strong arm. The lefty showed a lot of talent for Kansas State coming in as a freshman.
Everidge transfered to Wisconsin before the 2005 season. Everidge has the best tight end in the country (the position, not the body part).
Travis Beckum, a converted defensive back was the leading pass catcher for the Badgers last season with 75 catches for 982 yards. With Beckum, the transition for Everidge should be easy.
You can't forget the Badgers' solid running attack with P.J. Hill and Zach Brown. Both had at least one 200-yard rushing performance, along with Lance Smith (whom was cut due to off-the-field issues).
However, Wisconsin gains a phenom in John Clay and could be the next big back for Wisconsin. Great young receivers, the best tight end (the position), a more experienced o-line, a strong arm, and a solid running game equal a potent offense.
The Badgers appear to be the only Big Ten team shying away from the spread offense completely. They have always been a smash mouth football team and I don't see that changing.
UW traditionally have always have had a superb offensive line and great runners. Ron Dayne, Michael Bennett, Anthony Davis, Brian Calhoun, and P.J. Hill to name a few.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison will host a night game versus the Ohio State Buckeyes on Oct. 4, a game I will be attending along with the rest of the home games. Wisconsin has beaten Ohio State a few years back, when the Buckeyes were numero uno, at Camp Randall Stadium. Home field advantage will keep this game close.
I could see this game coming down to special teams. Wisconsin has a great returner in David Gilreath, but the kicking is what concerns me most. According to scouting reports, redshirt freshman Philip Welch has a strong leg that's capable of 50-yard field goals. However, with a big game on the line, I wouldn't feel so confident with the inexperience of Welch.
If this game were in Ohio, hand it over to the Buckeyes. Fortunately it's not, and Wisconsin will put up a fight. A night game in Madison against the Buckeyes has me pumped up already.
I'm not making any predictions but, this game will be no runaway. The Big Ten champ could be determined by the Oct. 4 game in Madison. The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry will always be the greatest rivalry. However, expect a great one between the Buckeyes and the Badgers.
11 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
rich jaco 10 months ago
It IS going to be a great game. A classic. And I hope the violence stays on the field.
To all you Badger fans, please be kind to us Buckeye fans. I drove up to the game in 2003 only to leave with four brand new tires.
All my tires were slashed because I had an Ohio license plate. And this was a game Ohio State LOST.
I realize that Ohio State has jerk-fans as well (all schools do) but please try to show some classy restraint.
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James Stark 10 months ago
Wisconsin fans are brutal to the opponents fans, I recomend somehow covering your liscence plates and don't make eye contact with anyone. That's one thing I would change about the badger games, go ahead and boo but at least respect the fans.
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Dennis Right 10 months ago
i like this and i said the same thing.
and rich im sorry to hear about your tires. lol. i hate that.
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sizzle 10 months ago
as a buckeye - the wisconsin game is scary, not the least of which being at night game in that stadium. if last year was any indication, when wisky was very injured, it'll be a hard fought game, and i really hope the buckeyes make it out on top.
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Joe K 10 months ago
I agree, sort of, and we have a long ways to go. But some of this reminds me of the smack being talked by PSU fans last year threatening us with their "white out." Well, they were out of by the end of the first quarter.
This OSU team is loaded with seniors who won't be fazed. And they remember the last time at Camp Randall so they won't be complacent.
OSU may have troubles with the spread offense (a la Illinois last year), but they have NO problems shutting down a smash mouth offense (a la Michigan and Wisconsin last year). I think OSU wins this game comfortably, but you never know. Few turnovers and special teams plays could make it tight.
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BabyTate 10 months ago
This is a much better article than the fantasy football nonsense. This is real reporting and has a personal flavor impounded in the descriptions. I like the construction of the article and idea that "your" team will prevail. Here is where you are showing you're a writer. Very well done.
One note James, you speak of 1962 being the last Big10 title for the Badgers before Alvareaz. Check out the only game the Badgers lost that regular season, right smack-dab in the middle of the Cuban-Missle Crisis, 14-7 to Ohio State. The day that Ron Vanderkelin failed. Read up on him sometime, he was drafted by Green Bay and led the College All Stars to a victory over Lombardi's Packers in a pre-season game.
If you get a chance, please stop by my recent article regarding the Witchman of Diablo Corner. I'd be interested in your take.
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Paul Salman 10 months ago
See my Penn State preview article and scroll to the section about Penn State vs Wisconsin. Really don't get the hype about Wiscy being so good. PSU and Wiscy basically are in the same boat. Returning most of their starters and needing a new QB. So basically the same teams are back and penn state dominated wiscy last year from the opening drive which started with a turnover by the badgers. Yes this year is at camp randall but the talent level is still higher on psu side as they showed last year. The DLine of psu should be able to distrupt whoever wiscy puts in at qb, even if its the big transfer they got from KState. We will see what happens but I just dont get why wiscy gets so much mroe hype then psu. Reminds me of 2005 when psu got no love and then went on to win the big 10..hope that happens again.
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James Stark 10 months ago
PSU did put a beating on UW, and PSU will give UW a run for their money. Another close night game at Camp Randall i'm looking forward to.
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Aaron Partridge 10 months ago
I really think the only team that has a true shot at overtaking the Ohio State Buckeyes are the Fighting Illini. The spread offense plus the best d-line in the entire nation will give any team problems and it was obvious last year at Ohio St. It will be a exciting yet interesting season.
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Aaron Partridge 10 months ago
I really think the only team that has a true shot at overtaking the Ohio State Buckeyes are the Fighting Illini. The spread offense plus the best d-line in the entire nation will give any team problems and it was obvious last year at Ohio St. It will be a exciting yet interesting season.
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James Stark 10 months ago
I think Wisconsin and Illinois are the only Big 10 teams that have a shot at beating the buckeyes. I would say PSU would have a chance, but they play in Ohio. We will see......
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