Wisconsin "Canes" Miami: Good Start for Big Ten

The Wisconsin Badgers went into Orlando, Florida last night and laid a hurting on quarterback Jacory Harris and the Miami Hurricanes.

Harris was uncomfortable in the pocket all night long, and the Miami defense was too slow to keep up with the speed of Wisconsin's tight ends, as the Badgers prevailed 20-14 in a game that was not that close.

The irony of the whole situation is that leading up to the game, Miami fans, and even the media, were saying the team speed of the Hurricanes would have the Badgers down and out before the game got well underway.

Exactly the opposite happened.

On a night when Miami had a chance to gain the attention of some big time Florida recruits, they laid a miserable egg.

The offense was lifeless after a touchdown 23 seconds into the game, and the defense was lost against a simple rushing attack mixed with play-action passes.

Wisconsin running back John Clay ran over, around and through Hurricane defenders, en route to two rushing touchdowns and 121 yards.

The Badgers plagued Harris all night long.  O'Brien Schofield and JJ Watt seemed to be living in the 'Canes backfield at times, and this led to a host of mistakes by Harris.

What disappointed me about the whole thing is the fact that at halftime, the Hurricanes poor play was attributed to the loss of tailback Graig Cooper in the second quarter, and not to the Badger's swarming defense or offensive efficiency.

Granted, Cooper started off the game with a 16-yard rush for a touchdown, but only had four rushes for 13 yards after that.

And, if anyone watched the highlights on ESPN, was any mention made of Wisconsin tight end Lance Kendricks? Or of Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien?

Kendricks had a career day, running free all over the field and hauling in seven catches for 128 yards, while Tolzien threw one interception and passed for 260 yards.

The highlight reel showed Harris struggling through play after play, and ultimately one feels like Miami lost that game instead of getting their pants beat off.

The Badgers were said to not have the speed to even be on the same field as Miami, and after they owned them at their own game, they should have been given credit.

Wisconsin is just the first Big Ten team to start laying to rest the myth of Big Ten "slowness" this bowl season.

Take note Oregon and Georgia Tech. You think Wisconsin's defense looked quick? Wait until you see Iowa's at full strength, or Ohio State's.

Good win Bucky; way to lead off with a home run for the conference.