2009 Wisconsin Badgers Additional Information
Coaching Staff
Head Coach:
Official School Bio - Bret Bielema
Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Paul Chryst - Asst. Coach - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Dave Doeren - Asst. Coach - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
DelVaughn Alexander - Asst. Coach - Wide Receivers
Bob Bostad - Asst. Coach - Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
Kerry Cooks - Asst. Coach - Defensive Backs
Henry Mason - Assoc. Head Coach/Wide Receivers
Randall McCray - Asst. Coach - Recruiting Coordinator/Linebackers
Charles Partridge - Asst. Coach - Defensive Line/Specialists
Joe Rudolph - Asst. Coach - Tight Ends
John Settle - Asst. Coach - Running Backs
Brad Pendergrass - Director, Football Operations
Mark Taurisani - Football Operations
Kevin Kane - Graduate Assistant
Andy Richman - Quality Control
Sharon Betlach - Program Assistant
Sandy Freye - Program Assistant
Lisa Powell - Program Assistant
Jason Kradman - Quality Control
Ben Strickland - Quality Control
Recruiting Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Paul Chryst - Asst. Coach - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Dave Doeren - Asst. Coach - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
DelVaughn Alexander - Asst. Coach - Wide Receivers
Bob Bostad - Asst. Coach - Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
Kerry Cooks - Asst. Coach - Defensive Backs
Henry Mason - Assoc. Head Coach/Wide Receivers
Randall McCray - Asst. Coach - Recruiting Coordinator/Linebackers
Charles Partridge - Asst. Coach - Defensive Line/Specialists
Joe Rudolph - Asst. Coach - Tight Ends
John Settle - Asst. Coach - Running Backs
Brad Pendergrass - Director, Football Operations
Mark Taurisani - Football Operations
Kevin Kane - Graduate Assistant
Andy Richman - Quality Control
Sharon Betlach - Program Assistant
Sandy Freye - Program Assistant
Lisa Powell - Program Assistant
Jason Kradman - Quality Control
Ben Strickland - Quality Control
Starters Returning:
14 (Offense 7, Defense 5, Special Teams 2)
Notable Returners: QB Dustin Sherer , RB John Clay, RB Zach Brown, WR David Gilreath, WR Isaac Anderson, TE Garrett Graham, LT Gabe Carimi, C John Moffitt, DE O'Brien Schofield, LB Jaevery McFadden, CB Aaron Henry, S Jay Valai, S Shane Carter, PK Phillip Welch, P Brad Nortman
Starters Lost: 10 (Offense 4, Defense 6, Special Teams 0)
Notable Losses: QB Allen Evridge, RB PJ Hill, TE Travis Beckum, LG Andy Kemp, RG Kraig Urbik, RT Mike Vanden Heuvel, DE Matt Shaughnessy, DT Mike Newkirk, DT Jason Chapman, LB DeAndre Levy, LB Jonathan Casillas, CB Allen Langford
Notable Returners: QB Dustin Sherer , RB John Clay, RB Zach Brown, WR David Gilreath, WR Isaac Anderson, TE Garrett Graham, LT Gabe Carimi, C John Moffitt, DE O'Brien Schofield, LB Jaevery McFadden, CB Aaron Henry, S Jay Valai, S Shane Carter, PK Phillip Welch, P Brad Nortman
Starters Lost: 10 (Offense 4, Defense 6, Special Teams 0)
Notable Losses: QB Allen Evridge, RB PJ Hill, TE Travis Beckum, LG Andy Kemp, RG Kraig Urbik, RT Mike Vanden Heuvel, DE Matt Shaughnessy, DT Mike Newkirk, DT Jason Chapman, LB DeAndre Levy, LB Jonathan Casillas, CB Allen Langford
Incoming Recruits: Note - Underlined names are links to BP player threads
Name Pos Height Weight Hometown - Scout/Rivals Rating
2010 Verbal Commitments
Scout.com - #32 class - 1-4*, 11-3*, 2-2*, 1-1*, 0-N/R - 2.80* average
Rivals.com - #69 class - 0-4*, 10-3*, 3-2*, 0-1*, 2-N/R - 2.77* average
Joe Brennan QB 6-4 195 Cherry Hill, NJ - 3*/3*
Cody Byers OLB 6-3 205 Kettering, OH - 3*/3*
Manasseh Garner OLB 6-2 201 Pittsburgh, PA - 3*/3*
Bryce Gilbert DT 6-2 277 Brookfield, WI - 3*/3*
Josh Harrison MLB 6-1 220 Huber Hieghts, OH - 3*/3*
Warren Herring TE 6-3 230 Belleville, IL - 3*/3*
Jake Irwin DE 6-5 255 Waunakee, WI - 3*2*
Dallas Lewallen OT 6-6 295 Berlin, WI - 2*/N-R
Jeff Lewis RB 6-2 200 Brookfield, WI - 3*/2*
Marquis Mason WR 6-5 215 Madison, WI - 3*/3*
Cameron Ontko OLB 6-0 210 Cuyahoga Falls, OH - 2*/2*
Frank Tamakloe S 6-3 190 Olney, MD - 3*/3*
Michael Trotter S 6-0 200 Milwaukee, WI - 3*/3*
Jameson Wright S 6-1 175 Fort Pierce, FL - 1*/N-R
Konrad Zagzebski DE 6-3 225 Schofield, WI - 4*/3*
2009 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #51 class - 2-4*, 11-3*, 8-2* - 2.71* average
Rivals.com - #43 class - 5-4*, 11-3*, 5-2* - 3.00* average
Kraig Appleton WR 6-4 200 E. St. Louis, IL - 4*/4*
Montee Ball RB 5-11 205 Wentzville, MO - 3*/4*
Chris Borland ATH 6-0 213 Kettering, OH - 2*/3*
Jon Budmayr QB 6-0 194 Woodstock, IL - 3*/3*
Casey Dehn OL 6-6 265 Owatonna, MN - 2*/2*
Tyler Dippel DE 6-4 248 Hartford, WI - 2*/3*
Jeff Duckworth WR 6-0 194 Cincinnati, OH - 3*/3*
A.J. Fenton ATH 6-1 215 Erie, PA - 3*/3*
Travis Frederick OL 6-5 310 Walworth, WI - 2*/3*
David Gilbert DE 6-4 220 Oakland Park, FL - 3*/4*
Ryan Groy OL 6-5 285 Middleton, WI - 3*/3*
Shelby Harris DE 6-3 235 Mequon, WI - 3*/4*
Jordan Kohout DT 6-4 265 Waupun, WI - 4*/4*
Zac Matthias OT 6-4 297 Hemlock, MI - 3*/3*
Pat Muldoon DE 6-4 255 Cincinnati, OH - 3*/3*
Conor O'Neill LB 6-1 195 Fort Lauderdale, FL - 3*/3*
Jacob Pedersen TE 6-5 213 Menominee, MI - 2*/2*
Josh Peprah S 6-0 195 Plano, TX - 2*/2*
Dezmen Southward S 6-1 200 Fort Lauderdale, FL - 2*/2*
Darious Thomas DB 6-0 175 Cedar Hill, TX - 2*/2*
Brian Wozniak TE 6-4 223 Loveland, OH - 3*/3*
2008 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #26 class - 1-4*, 17-3*, 5-2*, 1-1* - 2.75* average
Rivals.com - #41 class - 3-4*, 14-3*, 7-2*, 0-1* - 2.92* average
Eriks Briedis DT 6-5 263 Miami, FL - 2*/3*
Jake Byrne TE 6-5 240 Rogers, AR - 3*/3*
Kevin Claxton DB 6-2 192 Lauderdale Lakes, FL - 3*/3*
Marcus Cromartie DB 6-0 159 Mansfield, TX - 3*/3*
Jake Current OL 6-3 270 Troy, OH - 3*/3*
Zach Davison DE 6-4 219 Waukee, IA -1*/2*
Antonio Fenelus DB 5-9 170 Boca Raton, FL - 2*/2*
[strike]Christopher Garner OL 6-5 315 Augusta, WI[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
Leonard Hubbard LB 6-2 225 Springfield, IL - 3*/3*
Shelton Johnson DB 6-0 167 Carrollton, TX - 2*/2*
[strike]Dex Jones RB 6-1 215 Lombard, IL -3*/3* [/strike]
Brendan Kelly DE 6-6 225 Eden Prairie, MN - 3*/3*
Peter Konz OL 6-6 285 Neenah, WI - 3*/4*
Anthony Mains DE 6-7 225 Naples, FL -3*/3*
Daniel Moore DT 6-2 290 Joliet, IL -3*/3*
Bradley Nortman K 6-3 210 Brookfield, WI - 2*/3*
Curt Phillips QB 6-3 212 Kingsport, TN - 3*/4*
Joe Schafer OL 6-5 265 St. Paul, MN - 3*/3*
Devin Smith DB 5-11 179 Coppell, TX - 3*/3*
Erik Smith RB 5-11 185 Bolingbrook, IL - 3*/2*
Michael Taylor LB 6-2 195 Ashwaubenon, WI - 3*/2*
Tyler Westphal DE 6-6 230 Menasha, WI - 4*/4*
T.J. Williams WR 6-0 180 Kenosha, WI - 3*/2*
Kevin Zeitler OL 6-4 279 Milwaukee, WI - 3*/3*
2007 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #41 class - 1-5*, 2-4*, 9-3*, 6-2* - 2.89* average
Rivals.com - #34 class - 1-5*, 3-4*, 10-3*, 4-2* - 3.06* average
Zach Brown RB 5-10 198 Royal Palm Beach, FL - 2*/3*
Patrick Butrym TE 6-4 245 Waukesha, WI - 3*/2*
John Clay RB 6-0 222 Racine, WI - 4*/4*
David Gilreath WR 5-9 150 Robbinsdale, MN - 3*/3*
Mario Goins DB 6-0 173 Copperas Cove, TX - 3*/3*
[strike]Jasper Grimes DT 6-2 280 Palm Beach Gardens, FL -[/strike][strike] 2*/2*[/strike]
Aaron Henry DB 5-11 169 Immokalee, FL - 3*/3*
Kyle Jefferson WR 6-5 195 Cleveland, OH - 3*/3*
[strike]Daven Jones WR 6-0 185 Cleveland, OH - 2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Quincy Landingham DB 5-10 202 Bloomfield Hills, MI - 3*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Otis Merrill DB 5-11 170 Cleveland, OH[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
Louis Nzegwu RB 6-2 230 Platteville, WI - 3*/3*
Josh Oglesby OL 6-7 315 Milwaukee, WI - 5*/5*
Kevin Rouse LB 6-0 217 Joliet, IL - 4*/3*
Blake Sorensen LB 6-2 204 Eden Prairie, MN - 3*/3*
[strike]James Stallons QB 6-6 171 Macomb, MI[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
Nick Toon WR 6-3 200 Madison, WI - 3*/4*
Phil Welch K 6-3 185 Fort Collins, CO - 2*/2*
2006 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #37 class - 2-4*, 6-3*, 14-2* - 2.45* average
Rivals.com - #42 class - 3-4*, 9-3*, 10-2* - 2.68* average
Isaac Anderson WR 5-11 156 Hopkins, MN - 2*/2*
Niles Brinkley ATH 5-10 176 St. Louis, MO -3*/2*
Jake Bscherer OL 6-7 270 Sturgeon Bay, WI - 4*/4*
Gabe Carimi OL 6-7 268 Monona Grove, WI - 3*/3*
[strike]Kirk DeCremer DE 6-5 240 Verona, WI[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Ricky Garner DE 6-5 225 Pasadena, CA[/strike][strike] -2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Xavier Harris WR 5-10 170 Ft. Lauderdale, FL[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Brandon Hoey DT 6-5 280 Shoreview, MN - 3*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Jamathan Ingram-Lyle DB 5-10 150 Boulder, CO[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Diondrae Jenkins ATH 6-2 190 Racine, WI[/strike][strike] -2*/2* [/strike]
Lance Kendricks WR 6-4 207 Milwaukee, WI - 4*/4*
John Moffitt OL 6-4 290 West Haven, CT -2*/3*
Maurice Moore DB 5-11 165 Fort Worth, TX -2*/2*
Bill Nagy OL 6-5 295 Hudson, OH - 3*/3*
[strike]Josh Nettles ATH 5-11 180 Walton, FL[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Kimuel Royston DB 5-11 180 Minneapolis, MN - 3*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Lance Smith RB 5-10 190 Warren, OH - 3*/3* [/strike]
Culmer St. Jean DB 6-0 221 Naples, FL - 2*/2*
[strike]Brad Thorson OL 6-4 290 Mequon, WI[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
Scott Tolzien QB 6-2 174 Palatine, IL - 2*/2*
Mickey Turner TE 6-3 233 Camdenton, MO - 2*/3*
Jay Valai DB 5-9 195 Colleyville, TX - 2*/3*
2005 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #35 class - 1-5*, 1-4*, 9-3*, 12-2* - 2.61* average
Rivals.com - #33 class - 0-5*, 2-4*, 13-3*, 8-2* - 2.74* average
[strike]Travis Beckum LB 6-5 220 Oak Creek, WI - 5*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Jerry Butler ATH 5-8 164 Philadelphia, PA[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
Shane Carter WR 6-2 180 Troy, OH - 2*/2*
Dan Cascone DT 6-3 305 Sandy Hook, CT - 2*/2*
[strike]Jonathan Casillas LB 6-2 200 New Brunswick, NJ[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Dion Foster RB 5-9 180 Oak Lawn, IL[/strike][strike] - 3*/3* [/strike]
Garrett Graham TE 6-4 223 Brick, NJ - 2*/3*
[strike]P.J. Hill RB 5-11 220 Brooklyn, NY[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Elijah Hodge LB 6-0 195 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - 4*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Terrance Jamison DE 6-4 225 Harvey, IL[/strike][strike] - 3*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Andrew Kemp OL 6-5 315 Menasha, WI[/strike][strike] - 3*/3* [/strike]
[strike]DeAndre Levy LB 6-2 211 Milwaukee, WI - 3*/3* [/strike]
Jae McFadden ATH 6-1 200 Palm Beach Gardens, FL - 2*/3*
Prince Moody DB 5-11 191 Columbus, OH - 2*/2*
[strike]Nate Nurse OL 6-4 260 Ramsey, NJ - 3*/2* [/strike]
Aubrey Pleasant DB 5-10 195 Montrose, MI - 3*/3*
[strike]Jarmal Ruffin ATH 6-2 199 Scotland, PA[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
O'Brien Schofield DE 6-3 216 Great Lakes, IL - 3*/3*
[strike]Matt Shaughnessy DE 6-6 210 Norwich, CT[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
Dustin Sherer QB 6-2 194 Cicero, IN - 3*/3*
Jeff Stehle DE 6-6 275 Central Square, NY - 2*/2*
Elijah Theus WR 6-2 185 Sugarland, TX - 2*/3*
[strike]Eric Vanden Heuvel OL 6-7 330 Hudson, WI - 3*/3* [/strike]
No longer on roster
Behind the Numbers Name Pos Height Weight Hometown - Scout/Rivals Rating
2010 Verbal Commitments
Scout.com - #32 class - 1-4*, 11-3*, 2-2*, 1-1*, 0-N/R - 2.80* average
Rivals.com - #69 class - 0-4*, 10-3*, 3-2*, 0-1*, 2-N/R - 2.77* average
Joe Brennan QB 6-4 195 Cherry Hill, NJ - 3*/3*
Cody Byers OLB 6-3 205 Kettering, OH - 3*/3*
Manasseh Garner OLB 6-2 201 Pittsburgh, PA - 3*/3*
Bryce Gilbert DT 6-2 277 Brookfield, WI - 3*/3*
Josh Harrison MLB 6-1 220 Huber Hieghts, OH - 3*/3*
Warren Herring TE 6-3 230 Belleville, IL - 3*/3*
Jake Irwin DE 6-5 255 Waunakee, WI - 3*2*
Dallas Lewallen OT 6-6 295 Berlin, WI - 2*/N-R
Jeff Lewis RB 6-2 200 Brookfield, WI - 3*/2*
Marquis Mason WR 6-5 215 Madison, WI - 3*/3*
Cameron Ontko OLB 6-0 210 Cuyahoga Falls, OH - 2*/2*
Frank Tamakloe S 6-3 190 Olney, MD - 3*/3*
Michael Trotter S 6-0 200 Milwaukee, WI - 3*/3*
Jameson Wright S 6-1 175 Fort Pierce, FL - 1*/N-R
Konrad Zagzebski DE 6-3 225 Schofield, WI - 4*/3*
2009 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #51 class - 2-4*, 11-3*, 8-2* - 2.71* average
Rivals.com - #43 class - 5-4*, 11-3*, 5-2* - 3.00* average
Kraig Appleton WR 6-4 200 E. St. Louis, IL - 4*/4*
Montee Ball RB 5-11 205 Wentzville, MO - 3*/4*
Chris Borland ATH 6-0 213 Kettering, OH - 2*/3*
Jon Budmayr QB 6-0 194 Woodstock, IL - 3*/3*
Casey Dehn OL 6-6 265 Owatonna, MN - 2*/2*
Tyler Dippel DE 6-4 248 Hartford, WI - 2*/3*
Jeff Duckworth WR 6-0 194 Cincinnati, OH - 3*/3*
A.J. Fenton ATH 6-1 215 Erie, PA - 3*/3*
Travis Frederick OL 6-5 310 Walworth, WI - 2*/3*
David Gilbert DE 6-4 220 Oakland Park, FL - 3*/4*
Ryan Groy OL 6-5 285 Middleton, WI - 3*/3*
Shelby Harris DE 6-3 235 Mequon, WI - 3*/4*
Jordan Kohout DT 6-4 265 Waupun, WI - 4*/4*
Zac Matthias OT 6-4 297 Hemlock, MI - 3*/3*
Pat Muldoon DE 6-4 255 Cincinnati, OH - 3*/3*
Conor O'Neill LB 6-1 195 Fort Lauderdale, FL - 3*/3*
Jacob Pedersen TE 6-5 213 Menominee, MI - 2*/2*
Josh Peprah S 6-0 195 Plano, TX - 2*/2*
Dezmen Southward S 6-1 200 Fort Lauderdale, FL - 2*/2*
Darious Thomas DB 6-0 175 Cedar Hill, TX - 2*/2*
Brian Wozniak TE 6-4 223 Loveland, OH - 3*/3*
2008 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #26 class - 1-4*, 17-3*, 5-2*, 1-1* - 2.75* average
Rivals.com - #41 class - 3-4*, 14-3*, 7-2*, 0-1* - 2.92* average
Eriks Briedis DT 6-5 263 Miami, FL - 2*/3*
Jake Byrne TE 6-5 240 Rogers, AR - 3*/3*
Kevin Claxton DB 6-2 192 Lauderdale Lakes, FL - 3*/3*
Marcus Cromartie DB 6-0 159 Mansfield, TX - 3*/3*
Jake Current OL 6-3 270 Troy, OH - 3*/3*
Zach Davison DE 6-4 219 Waukee, IA -1*/2*
Antonio Fenelus DB 5-9 170 Boca Raton, FL - 2*/2*
[strike]Christopher Garner OL 6-5 315 Augusta, WI[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
Leonard Hubbard LB 6-2 225 Springfield, IL - 3*/3*
Shelton Johnson DB 6-0 167 Carrollton, TX - 2*/2*
[strike]Dex Jones RB 6-1 215 Lombard, IL -3*/3* [/strike]
Brendan Kelly DE 6-6 225 Eden Prairie, MN - 3*/3*
Peter Konz OL 6-6 285 Neenah, WI - 3*/4*
Anthony Mains DE 6-7 225 Naples, FL -3*/3*
Daniel Moore DT 6-2 290 Joliet, IL -3*/3*
Bradley Nortman K 6-3 210 Brookfield, WI - 2*/3*
Curt Phillips QB 6-3 212 Kingsport, TN - 3*/4*
Joe Schafer OL 6-5 265 St. Paul, MN - 3*/3*
Devin Smith DB 5-11 179 Coppell, TX - 3*/3*
Erik Smith RB 5-11 185 Bolingbrook, IL - 3*/2*
Michael Taylor LB 6-2 195 Ashwaubenon, WI - 3*/2*
Tyler Westphal DE 6-6 230 Menasha, WI - 4*/4*
T.J. Williams WR 6-0 180 Kenosha, WI - 3*/2*
Kevin Zeitler OL 6-4 279 Milwaukee, WI - 3*/3*
2007 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #41 class - 1-5*, 2-4*, 9-3*, 6-2* - 2.89* average
Rivals.com - #34 class - 1-5*, 3-4*, 10-3*, 4-2* - 3.06* average
Zach Brown RB 5-10 198 Royal Palm Beach, FL - 2*/3*
Patrick Butrym TE 6-4 245 Waukesha, WI - 3*/2*
John Clay RB 6-0 222 Racine, WI - 4*/4*
David Gilreath WR 5-9 150 Robbinsdale, MN - 3*/3*
Mario Goins DB 6-0 173 Copperas Cove, TX - 3*/3*
[strike]Jasper Grimes DT 6-2 280 Palm Beach Gardens, FL -[/strike][strike] 2*/2*[/strike]
Aaron Henry DB 5-11 169 Immokalee, FL - 3*/3*
Kyle Jefferson WR 6-5 195 Cleveland, OH - 3*/3*
[strike]Daven Jones WR 6-0 185 Cleveland, OH - 2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Quincy Landingham DB 5-10 202 Bloomfield Hills, MI - 3*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Otis Merrill DB 5-11 170 Cleveland, OH[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
Louis Nzegwu RB 6-2 230 Platteville, WI - 3*/3*
Josh Oglesby OL 6-7 315 Milwaukee, WI - 5*/5*
Kevin Rouse LB 6-0 217 Joliet, IL - 4*/3*
Blake Sorensen LB 6-2 204 Eden Prairie, MN - 3*/3*
[strike]James Stallons QB 6-6 171 Macomb, MI[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
Nick Toon WR 6-3 200 Madison, WI - 3*/4*
Phil Welch K 6-3 185 Fort Collins, CO - 2*/2*
2006 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #37 class - 2-4*, 6-3*, 14-2* - 2.45* average
Rivals.com - #42 class - 3-4*, 9-3*, 10-2* - 2.68* average
Isaac Anderson WR 5-11 156 Hopkins, MN - 2*/2*
Niles Brinkley ATH 5-10 176 St. Louis, MO -3*/2*
Jake Bscherer OL 6-7 270 Sturgeon Bay, WI - 4*/4*
Gabe Carimi OL 6-7 268 Monona Grove, WI - 3*/3*
[strike]Kirk DeCremer DE 6-5 240 Verona, WI[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Ricky Garner DE 6-5 225 Pasadena, CA[/strike][strike] -2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Xavier Harris WR 5-10 170 Ft. Lauderdale, FL[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Brandon Hoey DT 6-5 280 Shoreview, MN - 3*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Jamathan Ingram-Lyle DB 5-10 150 Boulder, CO[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Diondrae Jenkins ATH 6-2 190 Racine, WI[/strike][strike] -2*/2* [/strike]
Lance Kendricks WR 6-4 207 Milwaukee, WI - 4*/4*
John Moffitt OL 6-4 290 West Haven, CT -2*/3*
Maurice Moore DB 5-11 165 Fort Worth, TX -2*/2*
Bill Nagy OL 6-5 295 Hudson, OH - 3*/3*
[strike]Josh Nettles ATH 5-11 180 Walton, FL[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Kimuel Royston DB 5-11 180 Minneapolis, MN - 3*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Lance Smith RB 5-10 190 Warren, OH - 3*/3* [/strike]
Culmer St. Jean DB 6-0 221 Naples, FL - 2*/2*
[strike]Brad Thorson OL 6-4 290 Mequon, WI[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
Scott Tolzien QB 6-2 174 Palatine, IL - 2*/2*
Mickey Turner TE 6-3 233 Camdenton, MO - 2*/3*
Jay Valai DB 5-9 195 Colleyville, TX - 2*/3*
2005 Recruiting Class
Scout.com - #35 class - 1-5*, 1-4*, 9-3*, 12-2* - 2.61* average
Rivals.com - #33 class - 0-5*, 2-4*, 13-3*, 8-2* - 2.74* average
[strike]Travis Beckum LB 6-5 220 Oak Creek, WI - 5*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Jerry Butler ATH 5-8 164 Philadelphia, PA[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
Shane Carter WR 6-2 180 Troy, OH - 2*/2*
Dan Cascone DT 6-3 305 Sandy Hook, CT - 2*/2*
[strike]Jonathan Casillas LB 6-2 200 New Brunswick, NJ[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Dion Foster RB 5-9 180 Oak Lawn, IL[/strike][strike] - 3*/3* [/strike]
Garrett Graham TE 6-4 223 Brick, NJ - 2*/3*
[strike]P.J. Hill RB 5-11 220 Brooklyn, NY[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
[strike]Elijah Hodge LB 6-0 195 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - 4*/4* [/strike]
[strike]Terrance Jamison DE 6-4 225 Harvey, IL[/strike][strike] - 3*/3* [/strike]
[strike]Andrew Kemp OL 6-5 315 Menasha, WI[/strike][strike] - 3*/3* [/strike]
[strike]DeAndre Levy LB 6-2 211 Milwaukee, WI - 3*/3* [/strike]
Jae McFadden ATH 6-1 200 Palm Beach Gardens, FL - 2*/3*
Prince Moody DB 5-11 191 Columbus, OH - 2*/2*
[strike]Nate Nurse OL 6-4 260 Ramsey, NJ - 3*/2* [/strike]
Aubrey Pleasant DB 5-10 195 Montrose, MI - 3*/3*
[strike]Jarmal Ruffin ATH 6-2 199 Scotland, PA[/strike][strike] - 2*/2* [/strike]
O'Brien Schofield DE 6-3 216 Great Lakes, IL - 3*/3*
[strike]Matt Shaughnessy DE 6-6 210 Norwich, CT[/strike][strike] - 2*/3* [/strike]
Dustin Sherer QB 6-2 194 Cicero, IN - 3*/3*
Jeff Stehle DE 6-6 275 Central Square, NY - 2*/2*
Elijah Theus WR 6-2 185 Sugarland, TX - 2*/3*
[strike]Eric Vanden Heuvel OL 6-7 330 Hudson, WI - 3*/3* [/strike]
No longer on roster
First, a number that everyone hates: 0.5
At the end of the game on Saturday, the 2009 regular season will be half over. This fact is presented for two reasons. First, anything that is stated after this will seem like good news. Second, we've come far enough into the season that statistics are actually becoming useful.
The NCAA posts 17 team statistics on every team's page of their statistics web-site. Of those 17 categories, Wisconsin has a higher rank in 10 of them, including all offensive categories. Some might make such shallow observations to "prove" that statistics are meaningless. If one looks deeper behind the numbers however, the numbers will tell you the same thing that your eyes tell you: Ohio State is better than Wisconsin this year. Differential Statistical Analysis (DSA) proves it; so BtN will open with a DSA section.
Whether the Buckeyes will be better between 3:30 and 7:00 PM on October 10th of this year is another matter entirely. The Buckeyes have struggled with the Badgers in the past; at times when they had no business doing so from a fan's perspective. Instead of examining the Buckeyes propensity for under-performance against the Badgers however; we will instead examine the probability of a no-show by the Badgers themselves.
But first, as promised, a look at Saturday's contest through the DSA lens:
Explanation of DSA:
What follows are the raw differential numbers for Ohio State and Wisconsin on the young season.
Offense
Where:
The Badgers have been incredibly consistent this year, gaining over 400 yards against every single opponent so far this year. The Buckeyes on the other hand, have been maddeningly inconsistent from drive-to-drive. If the Buckeyes can smooth out the rough patches, they could be almost as good on offense as they are on defense. Speaking of which, the Badgers streak of 400 yard games is coming to an abrupt end on Saturday.
Defense
Where:
As for the Ohio State defense; the oh-by-the-way touchdown drive by Indiana with 2 minutes remaining certainly hurt their DSA numbers. Nevertheless, those numbers still show what Buckeye fans can see with their own eyes: the 2009 Ohio State defense doesn't care how many of last year's starters are now starting in the NFL. They are better and they are out to prove it.
Efficiency
The Lighter Side At the end of the game on Saturday, the 2009 regular season will be half over. This fact is presented for two reasons. First, anything that is stated after this will seem like good news. Second, we've come far enough into the season that statistics are actually becoming useful.
The NCAA posts 17 team statistics on every team's page of their statistics web-site. Of those 17 categories, Wisconsin has a higher rank in 10 of them, including all offensive categories. Some might make such shallow observations to "prove" that statistics are meaningless. If one looks deeper behind the numbers however, the numbers will tell you the same thing that your eyes tell you: Ohio State is better than Wisconsin this year. Differential Statistical Analysis (DSA) proves it; so BtN will open with a DSA section.
Whether the Buckeyes will be better between 3:30 and 7:00 PM on October 10th of this year is another matter entirely. The Buckeyes have struggled with the Badgers in the past; at times when they had no business doing so from a fan's perspective. Instead of examining the Buckeyes propensity for under-performance against the Badgers however; we will instead examine the probability of a no-show by the Badgers themselves.
But first, as promised, a look at Saturday's contest through the DSA lens:
Explanation of DSA:
DSA expresses a team's production as a ratio of their own average offense or defense divided by the average defense or offense of the teams they play. For example, if a team has scored twice as many points as their opponents have given up, on average, to everyone else; their Differential Scoring Offense (DSO) is 2.000. It should be easy to surmise that a good offense will have differential numbers greater than 1.000, and a good defense will have differential numbers less than 1.000.
Note: Statistics for games vs. FCS opponents are discarded.
DSA COMPARISONNote: Statistics for games vs. FCS opponents are discarded.
What follows are the raw differential numbers for Ohio State and Wisconsin on the young season.
Offense
Where:
- DRO = Differential Rushing Offense
- DPO = Differential Passing Offense
- DTO = Differential Total Offense
- DSO = Differential Scoring Offense
- DPEO = Differential Pass Efficiency: Offense
The Badgers have been incredibly consistent this year, gaining over 400 yards against every single opponent so far this year. The Buckeyes on the other hand, have been maddeningly inconsistent from drive-to-drive. If the Buckeyes can smooth out the rough patches, they could be almost as good on offense as they are on defense. Speaking of which, the Badgers streak of 400 yard games is coming to an abrupt end on Saturday.
Where:
- DRD = Differential Rushing Defense
- DPD = Differential Passing Defense
- DTD = Differential Total Defense
- DSD = Differential Scoring Defense
- DPED = Differential Pass Efficiency: Defense
As for the Ohio State defense; the oh-by-the-way touchdown drive by Indiana with 2 minutes remaining certainly hurt their DSA numbers. Nevertheless, those numbers still show what Buckeye fans can see with their own eyes: the 2009 Ohio State defense doesn't care how many of last year's starters are now starting in the NFL. They are better and they are out to prove it.
Some of you reading this post will remember the PBP days (Pre-Buckeye Planet). Back then, on another message board during the glorious 2002 season; many of that nameless board's denizens spent the entire season bemoaning the close victories and predicting certain doom in the weeks that followed.
In an effort to talk people off the ledge and maybe get them to enjoy the season, the poster who would later become the author of Behind the Numbers on BP dug out some calculations that he'd done while a student at Ohio State. They were numbers on offensive efficiency, (yards per point, 1st downs per point, etc...) and they showed that the Buckeyes of that year were by far the most efficient team in the country.
A few of the posters on that message board understood the numbers, but most simply scoffed and continued to prophesy that the end was nigh. The small group that both understood and appreciated the numbers now form the core of Buckeye Planet. Some of them, as well as those who have found BP since, have actually made their own posts about efficiency (notably Jax and rocketman).
As BP is clearly a group who "get it"; the tables below show not just efficiency, but differential efficiency (how much more efficient a team is than their opponents usually allow, and the converse of that for defense). Two efficiency numbers are used to compare Ohio State and Wisconsin. Points per Play (higher is better for offense, lower is better for defense), and Yards per Point (lower is better for offense, higher is better for defense). Points per Yard could have been used for consistency, but it was observed 7 years ago that people are more inclined to understand numbers if they are not too large or, as in this case, too small.
Where:
Further, the above table shows that the Buckeye defense is about twice as efficient as the Badger defense. Straight-up, differential, it doesn't matter. Ohio State's stop troops are much better.
One note on the above numbers: As with all statistics used in this section of the preview, all FCS games are thrown out for all teams. This will make the efficiency numbers slightly different from what is seen on the message boards.
The story is even more compelling when Yards per Point are used to judge efficiency. The Offense columns above show that Ohio State is more efficient in terms of yards per point whether you look at the raw numbers or the differential numbers (recall that lower is better for offense in yards per point). Wisconsin is an efficient team, but the Buckeyes are better.
On defense, the numbers tell the same story as before. It is notable though, that a yards per point number over 20 is incredible, and is actually in the range of the 2002 Buckeye defense. Similarly, forcing one's opponents to travel more than 50% farther for each point they score than they are accustomed to; and then holding them to less than 60% of their usual yardage (see DTO above) is a recipe for a dominant defense.
Any way you slice it; offense or defense, plays or yards, efficiency is at the heart of Tresselball and is the reason that it works.
DSA PREDICTIONIn an effort to talk people off the ledge and maybe get them to enjoy the season, the poster who would later become the author of Behind the Numbers on BP dug out some calculations that he'd done while a student at Ohio State. They were numbers on offensive efficiency, (yards per point, 1st downs per point, etc...) and they showed that the Buckeyes of that year were by far the most efficient team in the country.
A few of the posters on that message board understood the numbers, but most simply scoffed and continued to prophesy that the end was nigh. The small group that both understood and appreciated the numbers now form the core of Buckeye Planet. Some of them, as well as those who have found BP since, have actually made their own posts about efficiency (notably Jax and rocketman).
As BP is clearly a group who "get it"; the tables below show not just efficiency, but differential efficiency (how much more efficient a team is than their opponents usually allow, and the converse of that for defense). Two efficiency numbers are used to compare Ohio State and Wisconsin. Points per Play (higher is better for offense, lower is better for defense), and Yards per Point (lower is better for offense, higher is better for defense). Points per Yard could have been used for consistency, but it was observed 7 years ago that people are more inclined to understand numbers if they are not too large or, as in this case, too small.
Where:
- PPP = Points Per Play
- dPPP = differential Points Per Play
Further, the above table shows that the Buckeye defense is about twice as efficient as the Badger defense. Straight-up, differential, it doesn't matter. Ohio State's stop troops are much better.
One note on the above numbers: As with all statistics used in this section of the preview, all FCS games are thrown out for all teams. This will make the efficiency numbers slightly different from what is seen on the message boards.
The story is even more compelling when Yards per Point are used to judge efficiency. The Offense columns above show that Ohio State is more efficient in terms of yards per point whether you look at the raw numbers or the differential numbers (recall that lower is better for offense in yards per point). Wisconsin is an efficient team, but the Buckeyes are better.
On defense, the numbers tell the same story as before. It is notable though, that a yards per point number over 20 is incredible, and is actually in the range of the 2002 Buckeye defense. Similarly, forcing one's opponents to travel more than 50% farther for each point they score than they are accustomed to; and then holding them to less than 60% of their usual yardage (see DTO above) is a recipe for a dominant defense.
Any way you slice it; offense or defense, plays or yards, efficiency is at the heart of Tresselball and is the reason that it works.
As has been done in previous years, as well as last week, DSA can be used to provide a pair of "predictions" for both yardage and points for each team.
The first method is to take each team's average score (or average total offense) and multiply it by the other team's DSD (or DTD). The other method is to take each team's average points allowed (or average yards allowed) and multiply it by the other team's DSO (or DTO). The results of these calculations are below:
A BADGER TRAP?The first method is to take each team's average score (or average total offense) and multiply it by the other team's DSD (or DTD). The other method is to take each team's average points allowed (or average yards allowed) and multiply it by the other team's DSO (or DTO). The results of these calculations are below:
- Ohio State: 29 to 34 points and 374 to 429 yards
- Wisconsin: 13 to 15 points and 259 to 296 yards
Don't look now, but for the first time in a very long time; the Buckeyes may have caught the Badgers at just the right time. There are two reasons that this may be so, and the first is probably obvious. Last week the Badgers played their biggest rival.
Wisconsin often plays poorly the week after vying for Paul Bunyan's Axe. It is fortunate for the Badgers that the game is often played at the end of the season. It is more fortunate, unless it is by design, that when it is not at the end of the season, the following game is often against a weak team.
This fact did not help Wisconsin last year, as they edged FCS Cal Poly by a missed extra point in over-time; and the Badgers were lucky to have made it to the extra period to begin with. Similarly in 2004, a 9-3 Wisconsin team was drilled 14-49 by a 5-7 Michigan State team.
A year earlier the Badgers did beat the Spartans after playing for the Axe, but the notable difference was that the Badgers WON the Axe in 2004. This bodes well for the Buckeyes.
The other factor in play this week is something that may not be as well known among Buckeye fans. They may know that Wisconsin's next game is against Iowa. What they may not know, is that this makes the Ohio State game a "sandwich" game for the Badgers.
This isn't to say that the Buckeyes don't inspire a team's full attention. But just as Wisconsin has been a thorn in the Buckeyes' side for the better part of 3 decades; so the Hawkeyes have been a pox on the Badger house of late. Even though their new coach is a former Hawkeye, Iowa remains a nuisance.
The most notable game in that stretch is the 2004 game. After losing just 2 in a row against the Hawkeyes, the Badgers were drubbed by 23 points. Even more interesting is the fact that just 8 days before this game, Wisconsin was 9-0 and thinking National Championship. Then they lost to MSU by 35 and Iowa by 23 to end their regular season on a foul note.
If you're thinking that MSU game sounds familiar, you're right. It's the same game that was mentioned as following a victory over Minnesota. In fact, that game was the last time any game fell AFTER Minnesota and BEFORE Iowa for the Badgers.
Let's review:
BtN CONCLUSIONWisconsin often plays poorly the week after vying for Paul Bunyan's Axe. It is fortunate for the Badgers that the game is often played at the end of the season. It is more fortunate, unless it is by design, that when it is not at the end of the season, the following game is often against a weak team.
This fact did not help Wisconsin last year, as they edged FCS Cal Poly by a missed extra point in over-time; and the Badgers were lucky to have made it to the extra period to begin with. Similarly in 2004, a 9-3 Wisconsin team was drilled 14-49 by a 5-7 Michigan State team.
A year earlier the Badgers did beat the Spartans after playing for the Axe, but the notable difference was that the Badgers WON the Axe in 2004. This bodes well for the Buckeyes.
The other factor in play this week is something that may not be as well known among Buckeye fans. They may know that Wisconsin's next game is against Iowa. What they may not know, is that this makes the Ohio State game a "sandwich" game for the Badgers.
This isn't to say that the Buckeyes don't inspire a team's full attention. But just as Wisconsin has been a thorn in the Buckeyes' side for the better part of 3 decades; so the Hawkeyes have been a pox on the Badger house of late. Even though their new coach is a former Hawkeye, Iowa remains a nuisance.
- 2008: Lost by 12 points
- 2007: A 9-4 Badger team won by only 4 points to a 0.500 Hawkeye squad
- 2006: Bielema's 12-1 team could only beat the lowly 6-7 Hawkeye's by 3 points
- 2005: Wisconsin was 10-3 and still lost to a 7-5 Iowa team by 10 points
- 2004: Crushed by 23 points
- 2003: Lost by 6
- 2002: Beaten by 17
The most notable game in that stretch is the 2004 game. After losing just 2 in a row against the Hawkeyes, the Badgers were drubbed by 23 points. Even more interesting is the fact that just 8 days before this game, Wisconsin was 9-0 and thinking National Championship. Then they lost to MSU by 35 and Iowa by 23 to end their regular season on a foul note.
If you're thinking that MSU game sounds familiar, you're right. It's the same game that was mentioned as following a victory over Minnesota. In fact, that game was the last time any game fell AFTER Minnesota and BEFORE Iowa for the Badgers.
Let's review:
The last time Wisconsin faced a team after Minnesota and before Iowa was in 2004. Wisconsin went in to the game 9-0. They were beaten 14-49 by an MSU team that ended the season 5-7.
The Badgers have a history of playing badly after beating Minnesota. They have a history of playing badly in games preceding Iowa. There isn't a large sample size to go on, but there is a precedent that when you put the two together, the Badgers lose big. And the Buckeyes are NOT going 5-7 this year.
The Buckeyes could not have picked a worse time to show inconsistency on offense. Neither could they have picked a worse time to see Dexter Larimore go down with a knee injury. However they could not have picked a better point in the season to play the Badgers. Buckeyes by 3 touchdowns or more.
Weakness.
If there could be one theme for this weak.. errr.. I mean, week, it would have to be weakness. Let's start by taking a look at the AP Poll issued last Sunday and the won loss record of those team's opponents, teams who have played against a schedule where their opponents are a combined .500 or better will be listed in bold.
1. Florida is 4-0 against teams which are a combined 8-10 .444
2. Texas is 4-0 against teams which are a combined 11-9 .550
3. Alabama is 5-0 against teams which are a combined 9-12 .429
4. LSU is 5-0 against teams which are a combined 11-13 .458
5. Virginia Tech is 4-1 against teams which are a combined 16-7 .696
6. Boise State is 5-0 against teams which are a combined 7-16 .304
7. USC is 4-1 against teams which are a combined 11-13 . 458
8. Cincinnati is 5-0 against teams which are a combined 8-15 .348
9. Ohio State is 4-1 against teams which are a combined 14-10 .583
10. TCU is 4-0 against teams which are a combined 7-10 .412
The relative rankings of Texas, Virginia Tech and Ohio State, the only three teams in the top ten who have played a "man's" schedule, seems legitimate. I mean, Texas is undefeated against a combined winning schedule and should therefore get the top billing as between the three. Likewise, while Ohio State lost to #7 USC (#3 at the time of the loss), Virginia Tech's loss came at the hands of #3 Alabama. And as much as it pains me to say anything nice about the Hokies, the fact is they've played the toughest schedule to date among top 10 teams, by a wide margin. Like the Buckeyes, the Jokies... sorry.. Hokies aren't flashy, but they're getting it done on the field. For now. Unlike the Buckeyes, the Hokies also have a history of ending the year with 3 or more losses, typically dropping at least one to a team which they should completely outmatch. For them, it's really simply a matter of time.
But, as I said, the theme this weak... whoops... week is weakness, and thus enough talk about what's "right" about what we see in the list above. While Florida, Alabama, LSU and USC have played sub .500 schedules these teams don't strike the casual observer as frauds. One could make the argument that USC is the more fraudulent of the bunch because of its loss to sub .500 Washington, but still we've grown accustomed to them being in the top ten, and losing to inferior opponents. But, there are three teams which stand out like a sore thumb.
Boise State (Pre-season #14), Cincinnati (Preseason NR) and TCU (Preseason 17). To Boise State's credit, they beat Oregon, a 4-1 PAC 10 team which itself has played a schedule which is 13-11. But, that's it. The rest of Boise State's schedule is absurd - the other 4 opponents have a combined 3 wins and 15 losses among them. Beating these weaklings propels a team, which is itself a mid major, in to the top 10? Give me a break.
TCU? I've looked for the toughest match-up TCU has faced, and I can't even pick one. Here, you try: 2-3 Clemson, 2-2 SMU, 2-2 Texas State or 1-3 Virginia. Look, TCU has a nice little program down there and they've got a legitimate history to boot. And while that's nice, they're not one of the top 10 teams in the country. No. I'm not particularly moved by a decent team when that decent team beats poor competition.
And then there's Cincinnati. Can someone explain to me how the Bearcats have moved from unranked to #8 when they have played a bad D-IAA team (Southeastern Missouri State (1-4)), a 1-3 Fresno State team and 0-5 Miami of Ohio? Sure, they did beat 3-1 Rutgers and 3-2 Oregon State, but seriously? In a weak.. whoops.. week where they beat a winless Miami of Ohio 37-13 (only 23-13 after the 3rd quarter) they jump over Ohio State, which not only has played a far more impressive slate, but beat a then 3-1 Indiana team which the media was slobbering all over 33-14 (the last 7 coming in mop up time on the heels of a second string QB fumbling the ball in Ohio State's own territory)? Seriously? Beating a dreadful Miami team is more impressive than beating Indiana? The AP poll is a joke, rewarding weakness and ill-deserved hype, which - as they are the media - they help create.
Speaking of Cincinnati - here's a quick open note to you Bearcat fans out there. You want to know how I know your little club is illegitimate? Because you fans come over to boards like this one and pop off. It shows me you don't know how to handle this success. It also shows me that the lighter side was correct a couple of years ago when I said you're not even fans of the Bearcats, but more just anti-Ohio State fans. Here's the bottom line, Bearcats fans. We're fans of Ohio State. We are accustomed to great teams, and we don't really much care what UC does. So, when Brian Kelly moves on to bigger and better things, and he will, remember that. We don't care. You're not a rival. You're not even a "little brother" At best, you're a best friend's, sister's 3rd best friend's, baby nephew who drools a lot and has a snotty nose. Irrelevant at best, and hopelessly annoying at worst.
Now then, back to the theme of weakness. This weak's.. dagnabit.. week's opponent, Wisconsin, has developed quite a penchant for the easy. Since Bielema took the reigns in 2006 his Badgers have had to face the following out of conference combined records:
2006 - 14-33, including D-IAA Western Illinois (5-6);
2007 - 14-31, including D-IAA Citadel (7-4);
2008 - 24-24! Oh.. wait.. 8 of those wins, and 3 losses, were from D-IAA Cal Poly (which almost beat the Badgers) If we ignore the Cal Poly powerhouse, the OOC combined record stands at 16-21
2009 - 5-9, including D-IAA Wofford, and not counting Hawaii (now 2-2)
It should come as little surprise that during Wisconsin's weakest OOC year, 2006, they went 12-1. Likewise, in 2007, against slightly tougher competition, Bucky was just 9-4 losing to Tennessee in the Outback Bowl. In their hardest OOC season, 2008, the Badgers ended just 7-6 and were hammered by a pedestrian Florida State crew in the Champs Sports Bowl. So, what does that say about 2009? A couple things. First, because the media - as represented by the AP Poll - loves teams which play poor schedules (See also, Penn State and Texas Tech 2008) you'll probably think the Buckeyes - Badgers contest will be as exciting as a monkey's wedding. But, the fact is, if Ohio State plays the way it is capable, Wisconsin shouldn't come within three scores. Second, because the early results are that Wisconsin's 2009 OOC ranks as 2nd toughest in the Bielema era (.357), the Badgers are going to be somewhere between 9-4 and 7-6, or doing the math, 8-5. Funnily enough, it's hard to find 5 losses on Bucky's remaining schedule, but I'm betting they'll find a way. In short, Wisconsin is "fake good"
But, Ohio State will still have to bring its A game this Saturday. Never mind that Ohio State is 52-17-5 all time against Bucky, and 27-7-3 at home against them. Worse Badger teams have beaten the Buckeyes before (1984, 1985, 1992 and 2001 being decent examples). In as much as Ohio State is a team that hasn't played a horribly weak schedule to date, (for which they continue to pay heavy consequences among the talking heads), it can ill-afford a loss to a 5-0 Wisconsin. I know that seems backwards, but it's the college football world in which we live. But, take solace - that world also includes watching Mark May feign giving Dr. Lou a hummer and an AP poll which makes even the Sasquatch scratch his head in wonder. Don't get mad, take it for the joke it is.
Traditions & Opponent Perspective If there could be one theme for this weak.. errr.. I mean, week, it would have to be weakness. Let's start by taking a look at the AP Poll issued last Sunday and the won loss record of those team's opponents, teams who have played against a schedule where their opponents are a combined .500 or better will be listed in bold.
1. Florida is 4-0 against teams which are a combined 8-10 .444
2. Texas is 4-0 against teams which are a combined 11-9 .550
3. Alabama is 5-0 against teams which are a combined 9-12 .429
4. LSU is 5-0 against teams which are a combined 11-13 .458
5. Virginia Tech is 4-1 against teams which are a combined 16-7 .696
6. Boise State is 5-0 against teams which are a combined 7-16 .304
7. USC is 4-1 against teams which are a combined 11-13 . 458
8. Cincinnati is 5-0 against teams which are a combined 8-15 .348
9. Ohio State is 4-1 against teams which are a combined 14-10 .583
10. TCU is 4-0 against teams which are a combined 7-10 .412
The relative rankings of Texas, Virginia Tech and Ohio State, the only three teams in the top ten who have played a "man's" schedule, seems legitimate. I mean, Texas is undefeated against a combined winning schedule and should therefore get the top billing as between the three. Likewise, while Ohio State lost to #7 USC (#3 at the time of the loss), Virginia Tech's loss came at the hands of #3 Alabama. And as much as it pains me to say anything nice about the Hokies, the fact is they've played the toughest schedule to date among top 10 teams, by a wide margin. Like the Buckeyes, the Jokies... sorry.. Hokies aren't flashy, but they're getting it done on the field. For now. Unlike the Buckeyes, the Hokies also have a history of ending the year with 3 or more losses, typically dropping at least one to a team which they should completely outmatch. For them, it's really simply a matter of time.
But, as I said, the theme this weak... whoops... week is weakness, and thus enough talk about what's "right" about what we see in the list above. While Florida, Alabama, LSU and USC have played sub .500 schedules these teams don't strike the casual observer as frauds. One could make the argument that USC is the more fraudulent of the bunch because of its loss to sub .500 Washington, but still we've grown accustomed to them being in the top ten, and losing to inferior opponents. But, there are three teams which stand out like a sore thumb.
Boise State (Pre-season #14), Cincinnati (Preseason NR) and TCU (Preseason 17). To Boise State's credit, they beat Oregon, a 4-1 PAC 10 team which itself has played a schedule which is 13-11. But, that's it. The rest of Boise State's schedule is absurd - the other 4 opponents have a combined 3 wins and 15 losses among them. Beating these weaklings propels a team, which is itself a mid major, in to the top 10? Give me a break.
TCU? I've looked for the toughest match-up TCU has faced, and I can't even pick one. Here, you try: 2-3 Clemson, 2-2 SMU, 2-2 Texas State or 1-3 Virginia. Look, TCU has a nice little program down there and they've got a legitimate history to boot. And while that's nice, they're not one of the top 10 teams in the country. No. I'm not particularly moved by a decent team when that decent team beats poor competition.
And then there's Cincinnati. Can someone explain to me how the Bearcats have moved from unranked to #8 when they have played a bad D-IAA team (Southeastern Missouri State (1-4)), a 1-3 Fresno State team and 0-5 Miami of Ohio? Sure, they did beat 3-1 Rutgers and 3-2 Oregon State, but seriously? In a weak.. whoops.. week where they beat a winless Miami of Ohio 37-13 (only 23-13 after the 3rd quarter) they jump over Ohio State, which not only has played a far more impressive slate, but beat a then 3-1 Indiana team which the media was slobbering all over 33-14 (the last 7 coming in mop up time on the heels of a second string QB fumbling the ball in Ohio State's own territory)? Seriously? Beating a dreadful Miami team is more impressive than beating Indiana? The AP poll is a joke, rewarding weakness and ill-deserved hype, which - as they are the media - they help create.
Speaking of Cincinnati - here's a quick open note to you Bearcat fans out there. You want to know how I know your little club is illegitimate? Because you fans come over to boards like this one and pop off. It shows me you don't know how to handle this success. It also shows me that the lighter side was correct a couple of years ago when I said you're not even fans of the Bearcats, but more just anti-Ohio State fans. Here's the bottom line, Bearcats fans. We're fans of Ohio State. We are accustomed to great teams, and we don't really much care what UC does. So, when Brian Kelly moves on to bigger and better things, and he will, remember that. We don't care. You're not a rival. You're not even a "little brother" At best, you're a best friend's, sister's 3rd best friend's, baby nephew who drools a lot and has a snotty nose. Irrelevant at best, and hopelessly annoying at worst.
Now then, back to the theme of weakness. This weak's.. dagnabit.. week's opponent, Wisconsin, has developed quite a penchant for the easy. Since Bielema took the reigns in 2006 his Badgers have had to face the following out of conference combined records:
2006 - 14-33, including D-IAA Western Illinois (5-6);
2007 - 14-31, including D-IAA Citadel (7-4);
2008 - 24-24! Oh.. wait.. 8 of those wins, and 3 losses, were from D-IAA Cal Poly (which almost beat the Badgers) If we ignore the Cal Poly powerhouse, the OOC combined record stands at 16-21
2009 - 5-9, including D-IAA Wofford, and not counting Hawaii (now 2-2)
It should come as little surprise that during Wisconsin's weakest OOC year, 2006, they went 12-1. Likewise, in 2007, against slightly tougher competition, Bucky was just 9-4 losing to Tennessee in the Outback Bowl. In their hardest OOC season, 2008, the Badgers ended just 7-6 and were hammered by a pedestrian Florida State crew in the Champs Sports Bowl. So, what does that say about 2009? A couple things. First, because the media - as represented by the AP Poll - loves teams which play poor schedules (See also, Penn State and Texas Tech 2008) you'll probably think the Buckeyes - Badgers contest will be as exciting as a monkey's wedding. But, the fact is, if Ohio State plays the way it is capable, Wisconsin shouldn't come within three scores. Second, because the early results are that Wisconsin's 2009 OOC ranks as 2nd toughest in the Bielema era (.357), the Badgers are going to be somewhere between 9-4 and 7-6, or doing the math, 8-5. Funnily enough, it's hard to find 5 losses on Bucky's remaining schedule, but I'm betting they'll find a way. In short, Wisconsin is "fake good"
But, Ohio State will still have to bring its A game this Saturday. Never mind that Ohio State is 52-17-5 all time against Bucky, and 27-7-3 at home against them. Worse Badger teams have beaten the Buckeyes before (1984, 1985, 1992 and 2001 being decent examples). In as much as Ohio State is a team that hasn't played a horribly weak schedule to date, (for which they continue to pay heavy consequences among the talking heads), it can ill-afford a loss to a 5-0 Wisconsin. I know that seems backwards, but it's the college football world in which we live. But, take solace - that world also includes watching Mark May feign giving Dr. Lou a hummer and an AP poll which makes even the Sasquatch scratch his head in wonder. Don't get mad, take it for the joke it is.
The Wisconsin Badgers are a team rich with traditions.
The team's nickname, 'Badgers,' was borrowed from the state of Wisconsin. The territory was dubbed the 'Badger State,' not because of animals in the region, but rather an association with lead miners in the 1820s. Prospectors came to the state looking for minerals. Without shelter in the winter, the miners had to 'live like badgers' in tunnels burrowed into hillsides.
When a Badger team wins an athletic contest, members of the band turn their hats around and wear them backwards. The practice started in the 1920s to symbolize the band looking back at the victory in days when they marched out with the departing crowd.
Badgers in various forms have been recognized as the school mascot for decades. The version currently known as Bucky, sporting a cardinal and white letter sweater, was first drawn in 1940 by artist Art Evans. At that time, the badger went by names like Benny, Buddy, Bernie, Bobby and Bouncey. Art Lentz, the department's publicity director, had the idea to bring the mascot to life. The original badger mascot was too vicious to control. On more than one occasion, the live badger escaped handlers before a sideline hero recaptured the animal with a flying tackle. It was decided in the interest of fan and player safety that Wisconsin's mascot be retired to the Madison Zoo. The Badger Yearbook replaced the live badger with a small raccoon named Regdab (badger backwards) and passed it off as a 'badger in a raccoon coat.' In 1949, a student in the university's art department, Connie Conrad, was commissioned to mold a paper-mache badger head. Gymnast and cheerleader, Bill Sagal, of Plymouth, Wis., was directed by homecoming chair Bill Sachse, to wear the outfit at the homecoming game. A contest was staged to name the popular mascot. The winner was Buckingham U. Badger, or Bucky. The name apparently came from the lyrics in a song which encouraged the football team to 'buck right through that line.'
An integral part of any Wisconsin band performance is the playing of the Bud song. The tune is a spinoff of the song 'You've Said It All,' a jingle with words and music originally written by Steve Karmen for Budweiser beer commercials. Copyrighted by Sandlee Publishing Corporation in 1970, the song has become legendary at the University because of its polka-like rhythm. The song became a football tradition after a 1978 victory over Oregon. "Wisconsin was behind by three touchdowns, and the crowd was really dead. I played the song to get everyone pepped up. About 20 seconds after that, Wisconsin scored a TD. I played it again, and Wisconsin scored another touchdown. From then on, the band could never play enough 'Bud,'" said Leckrone.
History of the Camp Randall Arch
The Camp Randall Memorial Arch commemorates one of the most turbulent times in our nation's history: the Civil War. At that time, Camp Randall was not a football stadium - it was a training camp for 70,000 Wisconsin troops, representing nearly all of the state's military might.
Named for Gov. Alexander W. Randall, the encampment also served as a stockade and hospital for 1,400 Confederate soldiers captured at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. Many of them died at Camp Randall and were buried at "soldiers' rest" at a cemetery on Madison's west side (Forest Hills) - the northernmost Confederate cemetery in the United States. Union soldiers who died at Camp Randall are also buried at soldiers' rest, in a separate section of the cemetery.
The Camp Randall Memorial Arch on Monroe Street was dedicated in 1912, and it serves as the entrance to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Park. It's also the entrance to Camp Randall Stadium for the UW Marching Band on football Saturdays.
The two statues that flank the arch - an enlisted solider and an officer - do not have names, because they represent all of Wisconsin's Civil War soldiers. The "1912" inscription on the officer's pedestal refers to the dedication date of the arch, and the "1861-1865" inscription on the enlisted soldier's pedestal marks the years our country fought the Civil War.
The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department's official colors are Cardinal and White. PMS 200 is the designated color of the cardinal.
Fifth Quarter
The Wisconsin Band is nationally famous for its post-game celebration called the Fifth Quarter. Win or lose, fans sing, dance and cheer with the band as they play traditional favorites. Originally, the post-game concert was designed to give the fans something to listen to on their way out of the stadium, but it developed into a post-game party as the band built in audience participation activities.
Graduating Law Students
At the homecoming game, graduating law students throw canes over the crossbar of the goal post in a pre-game ceremony. If students catch their cane, legend claims they will win their first case. If the cane is dropped, the case will be lost. The custom originated at Harvard and came to the UW-Madison in 1910.
Paul Bunyan Axe
The most-played rivalry in Division I football occurs when Wisconsin and Minnesota meet. The UW-UM series is the nation's oldest and has been played continuously since 1890 (except for 1906). The game has alternated sites between the university campuses since 1946. Much prestige was always associated with the game, and the significance was emphasized with its place on the schedule. Between 1933 and 1982, the Wisconsin-Minnesota game was always the final regular-season contest for each school.
The series took an added twist in 1948 when more than state bragging rights were on the line. After a 16-0 setback that season, the Wisconsin lettermen's group, the National 'W' Club, presented Minnesota with an axe wielded by Paul Bunyan. He was the mythical giant of Midwestern lumber camps. Each year since, the winner of the annual battle between the Big Ten rivals is presented with the axe, complete with scores inscribed on the handle, for display on its campus.
Slab of Bacon
The Slab of Bacon trophy was the precursor to Paul Bunyan's Axe as the prize in the Wisconsin-Minnesota football series. Apparently, the trophy was presented to the winning school by a sorority from the losing institution. The trophy was discontinued in the 1940s and was discovered in a storage room at the UW Department of Athletics in 1994. It is currently housed in the football office at Wisconsin. 'We took home the bacon,' Coach Barry Alvarez said, 'and kept it.'
"Varsity"
The traditional arm-waving at the end of the song, 'Varsity,' was the 1934 brainstorm of band leader Ray Dvorak. He saw Pennsylvania students wave their caps after losing a game. Dvorak later instructed Wisconsin students to salute UW President Glenn Frank after each game.
Var-sity! Var-sity! U-rah-rah! Wisconsin!
Praise to thee we sing
Praise to thee our Alma Mater
U-rah-rah, Wisconsin
Before each home game, the UW cheerleaders and the Red Squad help spread Badger Spirit around Madison. The day begins with a trip to the chancellor?s house on the official Bucky Wagon. The Wagon Crew drives around downtown Madison, the Capitol, and around campus. The trip ends at Camp Randall, where the cheerleaders chant, "Let's Go Red Peppers," and each eat a red hot chili pepper.
The time honored "Jump Around" could possibly be the most amazing tradition on any college campus for its students. Just before the fourth quarter 10,500 energy-shocked students literally jump up, down, and around for three minutes preparing our team for fourth quarter battle. The "Jump Around" will get all fans out of their seats unless they don't mind their seat vibrating. The "Jump Around" is so powerful the stadium starts to shake.
Historical DataWhen a Badger team wins an athletic contest, members of the band turn their hats around and wear them backwards. The practice started in the 1920s to symbolize the band looking back at the victory in days when they marched out with the departing crowd.
Badgers in various forms have been recognized as the school mascot for decades. The version currently known as Bucky, sporting a cardinal and white letter sweater, was first drawn in 1940 by artist Art Evans. At that time, the badger went by names like Benny, Buddy, Bernie, Bobby and Bouncey. Art Lentz, the department's publicity director, had the idea to bring the mascot to life. The original badger mascot was too vicious to control. On more than one occasion, the live badger escaped handlers before a sideline hero recaptured the animal with a flying tackle. It was decided in the interest of fan and player safety that Wisconsin's mascot be retired to the Madison Zoo. The Badger Yearbook replaced the live badger with a small raccoon named Regdab (badger backwards) and passed it off as a 'badger in a raccoon coat.' In 1949, a student in the university's art department, Connie Conrad, was commissioned to mold a paper-mache badger head. Gymnast and cheerleader, Bill Sagal, of Plymouth, Wis., was directed by homecoming chair Bill Sachse, to wear the outfit at the homecoming game. A contest was staged to name the popular mascot. The winner was Buckingham U. Badger, or Bucky. The name apparently came from the lyrics in a song which encouraged the football team to 'buck right through that line.'
An integral part of any Wisconsin band performance is the playing of the Bud song. The tune is a spinoff of the song 'You've Said It All,' a jingle with words and music originally written by Steve Karmen for Budweiser beer commercials. Copyrighted by Sandlee Publishing Corporation in 1970, the song has become legendary at the University because of its polka-like rhythm. The song became a football tradition after a 1978 victory over Oregon. "Wisconsin was behind by three touchdowns, and the crowd was really dead. I played the song to get everyone pepped up. About 20 seconds after that, Wisconsin scored a TD. I played it again, and Wisconsin scored another touchdown. From then on, the band could never play enough 'Bud,'" said Leckrone.
History of the Camp Randall Arch
The Camp Randall Memorial Arch commemorates one of the most turbulent times in our nation's history: the Civil War. At that time, Camp Randall was not a football stadium - it was a training camp for 70,000 Wisconsin troops, representing nearly all of the state's military might.
Named for Gov. Alexander W. Randall, the encampment also served as a stockade and hospital for 1,400 Confederate soldiers captured at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. Many of them died at Camp Randall and were buried at "soldiers' rest" at a cemetery on Madison's west side (Forest Hills) - the northernmost Confederate cemetery in the United States. Union soldiers who died at Camp Randall are also buried at soldiers' rest, in a separate section of the cemetery.
The Camp Randall Memorial Arch on Monroe Street was dedicated in 1912, and it serves as the entrance to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Park. It's also the entrance to Camp Randall Stadium for the UW Marching Band on football Saturdays.
The two statues that flank the arch - an enlisted solider and an officer - do not have names, because they represent all of Wisconsin's Civil War soldiers. The "1912" inscription on the officer's pedestal refers to the dedication date of the arch, and the "1861-1865" inscription on the enlisted soldier's pedestal marks the years our country fought the Civil War.
The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department's official colors are Cardinal and White. PMS 200 is the designated color of the cardinal.
Fifth Quarter
The Wisconsin Band is nationally famous for its post-game celebration called the Fifth Quarter. Win or lose, fans sing, dance and cheer with the band as they play traditional favorites. Originally, the post-game concert was designed to give the fans something to listen to on their way out of the stadium, but it developed into a post-game party as the band built in audience participation activities.
Graduating Law Students
At the homecoming game, graduating law students throw canes over the crossbar of the goal post in a pre-game ceremony. If students catch their cane, legend claims they will win their first case. If the cane is dropped, the case will be lost. The custom originated at Harvard and came to the UW-Madison in 1910.
Paul Bunyan Axe
The most-played rivalry in Division I football occurs when Wisconsin and Minnesota meet. The UW-UM series is the nation's oldest and has been played continuously since 1890 (except for 1906). The game has alternated sites between the university campuses since 1946. Much prestige was always associated with the game, and the significance was emphasized with its place on the schedule. Between 1933 and 1982, the Wisconsin-Minnesota game was always the final regular-season contest for each school.
The series took an added twist in 1948 when more than state bragging rights were on the line. After a 16-0 setback that season, the Wisconsin lettermen's group, the National 'W' Club, presented Minnesota with an axe wielded by Paul Bunyan. He was the mythical giant of Midwestern lumber camps. Each year since, the winner of the annual battle between the Big Ten rivals is presented with the axe, complete with scores inscribed on the handle, for display on its campus.
Slab of Bacon
The Slab of Bacon trophy was the precursor to Paul Bunyan's Axe as the prize in the Wisconsin-Minnesota football series. Apparently, the trophy was presented to the winning school by a sorority from the losing institution. The trophy was discontinued in the 1940s and was discovered in a storage room at the UW Department of Athletics in 1994. It is currently housed in the football office at Wisconsin. 'We took home the bacon,' Coach Barry Alvarez said, 'and kept it.'
"Varsity"
The traditional arm-waving at the end of the song, 'Varsity,' was the 1934 brainstorm of band leader Ray Dvorak. He saw Pennsylvania students wave their caps after losing a game. Dvorak later instructed Wisconsin students to salute UW President Glenn Frank after each game.
Var-sity! Var-sity! U-rah-rah! Wisconsin!
Praise to thee we sing
Praise to thee our Alma Mater
U-rah-rah, Wisconsin
Before each home game, the UW cheerleaders and the Red Squad help spread Badger Spirit around Madison. The day begins with a trip to the chancellor?s house on the official Bucky Wagon. The Wagon Crew drives around downtown Madison, the Capitol, and around campus. The trip ends at Camp Randall, where the cheerleaders chant, "Let's Go Red Peppers," and each eat a red hot chili pepper.
The time honored "Jump Around" could possibly be the most amazing tradition on any college campus for its students. Just before the fourth quarter 10,500 energy-shocked students literally jump up, down, and around for three minutes preparing our team for fourth quarter battle. The "Jump Around" will get all fans out of their seats unless they don't mind their seat vibrating. The "Jump Around" is so powerful the stadium starts to shake.
University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, WI) Founded in 1849
Football 1st Season: 1889
Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium (Renovated 2005)
Constructed: 1917
Seating Capacity: 80,321
Playing Surface: FieldTurf (2003)
Conference: Big Ten Conference since 1896 (Independent in previous years)
Colors: Cardinal & White
Mascot: Badgers - Buckingham U. Badger, A.K.A. "Bucky Badger"
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 11 Big Ten Titles: 1896, 1897, 1901*, 1906*, 1912, 1952*, 1959, 1962, 1993*, 1998* and 1999 (* = Co-Champions)
Consensus All-Americans: 21
College Hall-of-Famers: 10
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 3 (Arnie Herber*, Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch*, Mike Webster)
Award Winners: 1 COY (AFCA), 1 COY (Bobby Dodd), 1 Doak Walker, 2 Heisman, 1 Jim Thorpe, 1 Maxwell, 1 Outland, 2 Walter Camp POY, 1 AP POY, 1 Ray Guy, and 1 Sammy Baugh
National Championships: 4 non-Recognized Championships
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-17 years, Coaches-19 years, highest finsh was #2 in both polls in 1962
Records Constructed: 1917
Seating Capacity: 80,321
Playing Surface: FieldTurf (2003)
Conference: Big Ten Conference since 1896 (Independent in previous years)
Colors: Cardinal & White
Mascot: Badgers - Buckingham U. Badger, A.K.A. "Bucky Badger"
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 11 Big Ten Titles: 1896, 1897, 1901*, 1906*, 1912, 1952*, 1959, 1962, 1993*, 1998* and 1999 (* = Co-Champions)
Consensus All-Americans: 21
College Hall-of-Famers: 10
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 3 (Arnie Herber*, Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch*, Mike Webster)
Award Winners: 1 COY (AFCA), 1 COY (Bobby Dodd), 1 Doak Walker, 2 Heisman, 1 Jim Thorpe, 1 Maxwell, 1 Outland, 2 Walter Camp POY, 1 AP POY, 1 Ray Guy, and 1 Sammy Baugh
National Championships: 4 non-Recognized Championships
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-17 years, Coaches-19 years, highest finsh was #2 in both polls in 1962
All Time: 609-462-53 (.565) (Note - this counts a 1994 forfeit by MSU as a win)
Bowl Games: 10-10 (.500) Most recently a 42-13 loss to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl (2008)
All Time vs the BigTen: 317-355-41 (.473)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 17-52-5 (.271), most recently a 20-17 loss in Madison (2008)
Coach's Record: Brett Bielema, 2006-current, 33-11-0 (.750)
2009 Season: 5-0 (1.000)
09/05 vs Northern Illinois, W 28-20
09/12 vs Fresno State, W 34-31 (2OT)
09/19 vs Wofford W 44-14
09/26 vs Michigan St, W 38-30
10/03 at Minnesota W 31-28
10/10 at Ohio State
10/17 at Iowa
10/24 bye
10/31 vs Purdue
11/07 at Indiana
11/14 vs Michigan
11/21 at Northwestern
12/05 at Hawaii
2008 Schedule
08/30 vs Akron, W 38-17
09/06 vs Marshall, W 51-14
09/13 at Fresno State, W 13-10
09/27 vs Michigan, L 25-27
10/04 vs Ohio State, L 17-20
10/11 vs Penn State, L 7-48
10/18 at Iowa, L 16-38
10/25 vs Illinois, W 27-17
11/01 at Michigan State, L 24-25
11/08 at Indiana, W 55-20
11/15 vs Minnesota, W 35-32
11/22 vs Cal Poly-SLO, W 36-35 (OT)
12/27 vs Florida State, L 13-42
Links All Time vs the BigTen: 317-355-41 (.473)
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 17-52-5 (.271), most recently a 20-17 loss in Madison (2008)
Coach's Record: Brett Bielema, 2006-current, 33-11-0 (.750)
2009 Season: 5-0 (1.000)
09/05 vs Northern Illinois, W 28-20
09/12 vs Fresno State, W 34-31 (2OT)
09/19 vs Wofford W 44-14
09/26 vs Michigan St, W 38-30
10/03 at Minnesota W 31-28
10/10 at Ohio State
10/17 at Iowa
10/24 bye
10/31 vs Purdue
11/07 at Indiana
11/14 vs Michigan
11/21 at Northwestern
12/05 at Hawaii
2008 Schedule
08/30 vs Akron, W 38-17
09/06 vs Marshall, W 51-14
09/13 at Fresno State, W 13-10
09/27 vs Michigan, L 25-27
10/04 vs Ohio State, L 17-20
10/11 vs Penn State, L 7-48
10/18 at Iowa, L 16-38
10/25 vs Illinois, W 27-17
11/01 at Michigan State, L 24-25
11/08 at Indiana, W 55-20
11/15 vs Minnesota, W 35-32
11/22 vs Cal Poly-SLO, W 36-35 (OT)
12/27 vs Florida State, L 13-42
Official Sites:
Official School Site - University of Wisconsin-Madison
Official Alumni Site - Wisconsin Alumni Association
Student Newspaper - The Daily Cardinal
Student Newspaper - Badger Herald
Official Athletic Site - UW Badgers
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Badger Nation (Scout)
Message Boards - Badger Blitz (Rivals)
Message Boards - Wisconsin (Sports-Boards)
Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - AOL
Team Page - CSTV
Team Page - ATSH2H
Team Page - Covers
Blog - Badger Sports Fan
Blog - The Ciskie Blog
Blog - Cute Sports
Blog - Bucky Blog
Blog - Oracle of Cheese
Blog - Cheesehead Sports
Blog - Badgers Blog (WJS)
Blog - Badger State Homer
Blog - Wisconsin Fanhouse (AOL)
Blog - Bucky Biz (MVN)
Blog - I'm A Badger Fan
Blog - Bucky's Faithful
Blog - All Encompassing Football Blog
Local News Sources:
The Capital Times - Local News
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Local News
State Journal - Local News
Green Bay Press Gazette - Local News
Preseason Rankings and Watch Lists
Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:Official Alumni Site - Wisconsin Alumni Association
Student Newspaper - The Daily Cardinal
Student Newspaper - Badger Herald
Official Athletic Site - UW Badgers
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Badger Nation (Scout)
Message Boards - Badger Blitz (Rivals)
Message Boards - Wisconsin (Sports-Boards)
Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - AOL
Team Page - CSTV
Team Page - ATSH2H
Team Page - Covers
Blog - Badger Sports Fan
Blog - The Ciskie Blog
Blog - Cute Sports
Blog - Bucky Blog
Blog - Oracle of Cheese
Blog - Cheesehead Sports
Blog - Badgers Blog (WJS)
Blog - Badger State Homer
Blog - Wisconsin Fanhouse (AOL)
Blog - Bucky Biz (MVN)
Blog - I'm A Badger Fan
Blog - Bucky's Faithful
Blog - All Encompassing Football Blog
Local News Sources:
The Capital Times - Local News
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Local News
State Journal - Local News
Green Bay Press Gazette - Local News
Preseason Rankings and Watch Lists
Unranked in AP and Coaches Preseason Polls
Maxwell (POY) - John Clay
Doak Walker (RB) - John Clay
Groza (PK) - Philip Welch
Rotary Lombardi (Near the Line) - Gabe Carimi, Garrett Graham, John Moffitt
Mackey (Tight End) - Garrett Graham
Outland ( Lineman) - John Moffitt
Maxwell (POY) - John Clay
Doak Walker (RB) - John Clay
Groza (PK) - Philip Welch
Rotary Lombardi (Near the Line) - Gabe Carimi, Garrett Graham, John Moffitt
Mackey (Tight End) - Garrett Graham
Outland ( Lineman) - John Moffitt
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data
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