There's an interesting piece of reading over at MZone that points out how we Badger fans are basically hiding in the corner over this weekend's game. It even has some links with solid evidence and stats.
Additionally, there were some very flattering things said about us in the comments...
surrounded in columbus said...
BPD, your analysis of the badgers is dead on (good to read your stuff again). the success of their program under Alveraz is a monument to woody hayes' adage that it's not important if the other team knows what you're going to do; what's important is that YOUR team knows what it's going to do.
despite the predictability and vanilla flavoring, the badgers are consistently one of the top 3 or 4 teams in the conference. and they get there by following their game plan every play, every game, every season.they never abandon the run. they get behind, they still run. they play the same consistent defense. they go out every week and execute their game plan almost as if what the other team is doing is immaterial.they make you execute your game almost flawlessly, and force you to be patient. at the end of the day, the more talented team usually wins when we play them, but the badgers make you earn/pay for everything you get- they never give you anything. they never beat themselves, and if you don't bring your "A" game everytime, they'll beat you. very impressive for a program that wasn't on anyone's map 15 years ago.
one last salutory note on the cheeseheads- it often gets ignored here in cowtown when tosu fans sit around patting themselves on the back about how brilliant their coach is, but switzer/tre$$el is a very Lloydish 1-3 against Wisconsin (Lloyd on the other hand, lost to them for the first & only time last season). funny how that doesn't get mentioned much...
September 21, 2006 9:56 AM
And they're right. Badger fans are absolutely dreading this game. Last year we played well, but that game was a fluke. Stocco scrambles to win the game?! UNREAL!
Aside from that, though, we are absolutely in a rebuilding year. And this isn't one of those situations where we think it will be a rebuilding year and then suddenly Brian Calhoun turns out to be Superman and hell, the season isn't a rebuilding year after all.
THAT ISN'T GOING TO HAPPEN THIS SEASON.
Sure, the season's not a total loss, we won't be a 1,2, or 3 win team. We'll make some mediocre bowl.
But, let's remember that this was supposed to be the season in which our defense was absolutely supposed to shine. Led by Joe Thomas, these guys were supposed to annihilate everybody.
And they had trouble on their hands with Western Illinois!!
Granted, after 2 or 3 series, they seem to pick it up, and that worked against BG, SDSU and Western Illinois. But teams like Michigan will be all over that defense like white on rice.
Our record at the Big House is lackluster, to say the least. We've won there twice in the past 40some years. The last time we played in Ann Arbor, we let Michigan score two TDs in the first 5 minutes.
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2 comments:
A note about Stocco's TD scramble last year:
That final drive was some of the best play calling I have ever seen. The whole drive Stocco was dropping back for an incomplete pass. Then they'd give it to Calhoun, who'd convert on third down. Everyone watching that game was screaming for Wisconsin to keep giving that ball to Calhoun. Then, on fourth down, on the four yard line, Stocco drops back to pass. The entire Stadium lets out a groan, when he tucks the ball and takes it in for the sneak. No one saw it coming, and it was beautiful.
I agree. The same thing happened when I was watching at home. That groan was probably heard 'cross the entire state!!
You're right that the play calling was brilliant, but you have to admit that it was gutsy.
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