By tomorrow night forecast's say that we'll have 15 inches of snow.
First snow of the season and we're getting over a foot!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
More UW football player stupidity
It appears that Jack Ikegwuonu decided to celebrate being named First Team All-Big Ten Conference by breaking into a house in DeKalb, Illinois to steal and XBox.
You know, as you do.
Details here.
You know, as you do.
Details here.
Some Brewers free agency shenanigans
Apparently GM Doug Melvin made an offer to Tony Graffanino to keep him in Milwaukee - but Graffanino's agent sat on the offer for a few weeks. In the meantime, Melvin was made nervous by the lack of response, so he started seeing what the other options were. It turns out one of those options was former Brewer and local boy Craig Counsell. So Melvin took some steps in that direction. Then Graffanino decided he would accept the offer to which Melvin said "too late."
In the end, it looks like Counsell's coming home and Graffy's going to San Diego. Full story here.
In the end, it looks like Counsell's coming home and Graffy's going to San Diego. Full story here.
Monday, November 27, 2006
UW, Marquette flip flop in Basketball polls
from jsonline.com
MU jumps to No. 8 in poll; UW drops to 12
Marquette (6-0) jumped to No. 8 in the Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball rankings today, while Wisconsin (5-1) dropped from No. 7 to No. 12.
The Golden Eagles' rise from No. 13 last week follows their 73-62 victory over Duke last Tuesday. The Badgers lost Friday to unranked Missouri State, 66-64. UCLA took over the No. 1 spot in the AP poll, followed by Pittsburgh, Ohio State, Florida and Kansas. Alabama and North Carolina were just ahead of Marquette at No. 6 and 7.
In the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll, Marquette was ranked No. 9 and Wisconsin No. 13.
Marquette and Wisconsin play each other Dec. 9 at the Bradley Center.
MU jumps to No. 8 in poll; UW drops to 12
Marquette (6-0) jumped to No. 8 in the Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball rankings today, while Wisconsin (5-1) dropped from No. 7 to No. 12.
The Golden Eagles' rise from No. 13 last week follows their 73-62 victory over Duke last Tuesday. The Badgers lost Friday to unranked Missouri State, 66-64. UCLA took over the No. 1 spot in the AP poll, followed by Pittsburgh, Ohio State, Florida and Kansas. Alabama and North Carolina were just ahead of Marquette at No. 6 and 7.
In the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll, Marquette was ranked No. 9 and Wisconsin No. 13.
Marquette and Wisconsin play each other Dec. 9 at the Bradley Center.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Capital One Bowl
I'm absolutely complacent about the Badgers receiving the Capital One Bowl, which is ridiculous because 6 years ago, we were lucky to make it to the Music City Bowl!
But we've been in the Capital One or Outback Bowl each of the last 3 years. Middle Florida isn't really appealing to anyone anymore.
I think it's a mistake for the Big Ten's #2 and #3 tie-ins to be an hour apart in Tampa and Orlando. Assuming that your team is fairly dominant for a number of years, this ensures that you're sending them to the same place over and over and ensures that your fans stop making the trip.
Since both bowls are a Big Ten-SEC matchup, the SEC fans are all within a reasonable drive to these games. Two years ago when I drove from New Orleans to Tampa, we were surrounded by Georgia plates in every direction.
It seems to me that since the bowls are all about revenue, this set up is counter productive. It seems like the bowls are working on the the one edict that Big Ten-ers are so cold in the winter, they'll jump at a chance to go to Florida, which I think is ridiculous.
Besides, there's only so many times a Wisconsinite can handle being in Mickeyland with all the holiday vacationers before they get a little mental, you know?
But we've been in the Capital One or Outback Bowl each of the last 3 years. Middle Florida isn't really appealing to anyone anymore.
I think it's a mistake for the Big Ten's #2 and #3 tie-ins to be an hour apart in Tampa and Orlando. Assuming that your team is fairly dominant for a number of years, this ensures that you're sending them to the same place over and over and ensures that your fans stop making the trip.
Since both bowls are a Big Ten-SEC matchup, the SEC fans are all within a reasonable drive to these games. Two years ago when I drove from New Orleans to Tampa, we were surrounded by Georgia plates in every direction.
It seems to me that since the bowls are all about revenue, this set up is counter productive. It seems like the bowls are working on the the one edict that Big Ten-ers are so cold in the winter, they'll jump at a chance to go to Florida, which I think is ridiculous.
Besides, there's only so many times a Wisconsinite can handle being in Mickeyland with all the holiday vacationers before they get a little mental, you know?
I hate USC
And I will be very, very upset if they make it to the National Championship game.
I know everyone is saying that yesterday's shakeups are pushing Michigan into the game, but USC has managed to stay in the top 5 all season based purely on last year's performance, so I'm not buying it.
And how about those Mountaineers? Amazing how every year we're force-fed information about how the Big East is underrated, etc, etc and yet every year they manage to self-destruct just when everyone is starting to give them some attention.
I saw a couple of South Florida games this season (hey, it's the only football on on Tuesday night!)
Look, I'm sure it's hard getting cred when you're not in a major conference. But I'm quite sick of how the Big East watch starts earlier and earlier every season. Let's talk about good teams, but let's not go overboard. Talking about how great a team is, any team, really, in week 6 is just asking for trouble.
Just to play devil's advocate, however, if this season has shown us anything, it's that the Big East deserves the cred a hell of a lot more than the Pac-10 does.
I cannot understand how we continually act as though the Pac-10 is a legitimately competitive conference. Is there any team "big name" in the country that wouldn't have done what USC has done with the kind of conference opponents they meet? How hard is it to run the table in the Pac-10? The competition there is just sub-par.
All season, the SEC-ers have been complaining about how tough their conference is and that they have beat themselves in terms of a National Championship bid because everybody has losses.
Couldn't the exact same argument be made in favor of the Big East? The top teams all beat each other, taking them out of NC consideration.
I know everyone is saying that yesterday's shakeups are pushing Michigan into the game, but USC has managed to stay in the top 5 all season based purely on last year's performance, so I'm not buying it.
And how about those Mountaineers? Amazing how every year we're force-fed information about how the Big East is underrated, etc, etc and yet every year they manage to self-destruct just when everyone is starting to give them some attention.
I saw a couple of South Florida games this season (hey, it's the only football on on Tuesday night!)
Look, I'm sure it's hard getting cred when you're not in a major conference. But I'm quite sick of how the Big East watch starts earlier and earlier every season. Let's talk about good teams, but let's not go overboard. Talking about how great a team is, any team, really, in week 6 is just asking for trouble.
Just to play devil's advocate, however, if this season has shown us anything, it's that the Big East deserves the cred a hell of a lot more than the Pac-10 does.
I cannot understand how we continually act as though the Pac-10 is a legitimately competitive conference. Is there any team "big name" in the country that wouldn't have done what USC has done with the kind of conference opponents they meet? How hard is it to run the table in the Pac-10? The competition there is just sub-par.
All season, the SEC-ers have been complaining about how tough their conference is and that they have beat themselves in terms of a National Championship bid because everybody has losses.
Couldn't the exact same argument be made in favor of the Big East? The top teams all beat each other, taking them out of NC consideration.
Wisconsin Hockey Heaven
Yesterday I traveled to Madison yet again, this time for a hockey doubleheader.
Since the men's team has sunk far below last year's status, the women's hockey team, which is still unbeaten, has taken a bit more attention. We decided we wanted to see what women's hockey was all about (but still end the night with a men's game, so that we wouldn't be completely lame.)
The women's game was definitely slower paced, but still fun to watch. Definitely not as bad as going to a women's basketball game.
The women's team passes well and utilizes every player. You don't really see any one girl standing out, though last year's national MVP Sara Bauer and Jinelle Zaugg, yesterday's goal scorer, do lead the country at #1 and #2 with most points and most goals.
The game was 1-0 and there wasn't much to report. It's clearly a family event and I was impressed that they even had girl mighty mites to play at the period break.
The men, however, snapped a six-game losing streak beating #6 Michigan State 2-0. Andrew Joudrey and Ben Street scored for the Badgers.
The Badgers have suffered mightily from the injury bug, especially when top goal-scoring prospect Jack Skille was out for 11 games. Friday night marked his return to the ice, where he scored against Michigan, but he was pretty quiet at last night's game.
This is the second game I've attended this year and there was a world of difference in the play on the ice. The Badgers looked much cleaner, with sharp passes and an actually visible attack.
The game actually featured a lot of fast-paced attack on both ends, with quick break-aways and lots of shots. UW outshot Sparty 27-19.
The first game we went to featured little, if any, attack of any kind. The team looked disorganized and as though they weren't quite sure how to handle the puck. Last night the Badgers looked much more cohesive.
By far the most entertaining parts of the evening were surrounding the student section's taunting of Michigan State's goalie Jeff Lerg, who is only 5'6". Standing in the net alone you didn't really grasp his minute stature, but any time the team surrounded him, he looked like one of the girls we saw playing earlier in the day.
Cheers of "Midget Goalie, clap clap clapclapclap" were spattered throughout the game, but by far the best was near the end of the third period, when cheers of "pull your sieve" normally break out. Instead, for 2 full minutes, we cheered "Pull your midget". It doesn't look as funny when I type it, but I promise it was more the entertaining while you're standing there, trying to figure out what they're saying.
Since the men's team has sunk far below last year's status, the women's hockey team, which is still unbeaten, has taken a bit more attention. We decided we wanted to see what women's hockey was all about (but still end the night with a men's game, so that we wouldn't be completely lame.)
The women's game was definitely slower paced, but still fun to watch. Definitely not as bad as going to a women's basketball game.
The women's team passes well and utilizes every player. You don't really see any one girl standing out, though last year's national MVP Sara Bauer and Jinelle Zaugg, yesterday's goal scorer, do lead the country at #1 and #2 with most points and most goals.
The game was 1-0 and there wasn't much to report. It's clearly a family event and I was impressed that they even had girl mighty mites to play at the period break.
The men, however, snapped a six-game losing streak beating #6 Michigan State 2-0. Andrew Joudrey and Ben Street scored for the Badgers.
The Badgers have suffered mightily from the injury bug, especially when top goal-scoring prospect Jack Skille was out for 11 games. Friday night marked his return to the ice, where he scored against Michigan, but he was pretty quiet at last night's game.
This is the second game I've attended this year and there was a world of difference in the play on the ice. The Badgers looked much cleaner, with sharp passes and an actually visible attack.
The game actually featured a lot of fast-paced attack on both ends, with quick break-aways and lots of shots. UW outshot Sparty 27-19.
The first game we went to featured little, if any, attack of any kind. The team looked disorganized and as though they weren't quite sure how to handle the puck. Last night the Badgers looked much more cohesive.
By far the most entertaining parts of the evening were surrounding the student section's taunting of Michigan State's goalie Jeff Lerg, who is only 5'6". Standing in the net alone you didn't really grasp his minute stature, but any time the team surrounded him, he looked like one of the girls we saw playing earlier in the day.
Cheers of "Midget Goalie, clap clap clapclapclap" were spattered throughout the game, but by far the best was near the end of the third period, when cheers of "pull your sieve" normally break out. Instead, for 2 full minutes, we cheered "Pull your midget". It doesn't look as funny when I type it, but I promise it was more the entertaining while you're standing there, trying to figure out what they're saying.
Friday, November 24, 2006
LSU upsets Arkansas
But I can't say that this game made me feel any better about the possible matchups for Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl.
Until today, LSU hadn't allowed any 100 yard rushers. Today they allowed two. Is that good or bad for P.J. Hill.
On that same vein, LSU is the top rated run offense and they couldn't particularly stop Arkansas, so how the hell would we?
Finally, unless Ken DeBauche is able to put every kickoff in the endzone for a touchback, our special teams will have a hard time covering Arkansas' return team.
Until today, LSU hadn't allowed any 100 yard rushers. Today they allowed two. Is that good or bad for P.J. Hill.
On that same vein, LSU is the top rated run offense and they couldn't particularly stop Arkansas, so how the hell would we?
Finally, unless Ken DeBauche is able to put every kickoff in the endzone for a touchback, our special teams will have a hard time covering Arkansas' return team.
A belated Happy Turkey Day
I never made it to the computer yesterday and I've been up since 4 this morning doing the shopping thing, but I did just want to drop a line to say thanks to all (5) of my readers.
So let's be thankful for bowl season and college basketball craziness so early in the year. For the Packers sucking less then I though they would and the Badger football team far surpassing anyone's expectations for this season.
I'm thankful for football on every day of the week and basketball to break it up. I'm thankful for college hockey and dancing at any Wisconsin game.
I'm thankful yesterday's Lions/Dolphins game was way more exciting to watch then I expected.
In addition, I'm thankful for good friends and good sports. I'm thankful for a fabulous boyfriend/copy editor who keeps me sane.!
I hope everyone's nice and relaxed from yesterday and is prepared for the football smorgasbord that is this weekend. I'll be napping to recover from this morning's shopping extravaganza so that I'll be wide awake to check out LSU/Arkansas.
But during the nap, I'll be dreaming of Notre Dame taking USC down!
Happy Thanksgiving ya'll!
So let's be thankful for bowl season and college basketball craziness so early in the year. For the Packers sucking less then I though they would and the Badger football team far surpassing anyone's expectations for this season.
I'm thankful for football on every day of the week and basketball to break it up. I'm thankful for college hockey and dancing at any Wisconsin game.
I'm thankful yesterday's Lions/Dolphins game was way more exciting to watch then I expected.
In addition, I'm thankful for good friends and good sports. I'm thankful for a fabulous boyfriend/copy editor who keeps me sane.!
I hope everyone's nice and relaxed from yesterday and is prepared for the football smorgasbord that is this weekend. I'll be napping to recover from this morning's shopping extravaganza so that I'll be wide awake to check out LSU/Arkansas.
But during the nap, I'll be dreaming of Notre Dame taking USC down!
Happy Thanksgiving ya'll!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
#17 Marquette upsets #8 Duke
(though I'm not sure from which poll those rankings come)
Marquette beat Duke last night in the finals of the CBE Classic Basketball tournament.
The Golden Eagles looked pretty good, causing a lot of steals and loose balls. They were aggressive and changed up the defense, from zone to man-to-man quickly and when necessary.
Jerel McNeal was all over the court and Dominque James, who's 5'11" made the guy who was guarding him, who was 6'6", look silly a few times.
Good job by the Golden Eagles by not getting intimidated and not letting their game get loss. Lots of points to Coach Tom Crean, who clearly had a game plan and didn't let his team deviate from it.
Marquette beat Duke last night in the finals of the CBE Classic Basketball tournament.
The Golden Eagles looked pretty good, causing a lot of steals and loose balls. They were aggressive and changed up the defense, from zone to man-to-man quickly and when necessary.
Jerel McNeal was all over the court and Dominque James, who's 5'11" made the guy who was guarding him, who was 6'6", look silly a few times.
Good job by the Golden Eagles by not getting intimidated and not letting their game get loss. Lots of points to Coach Tom Crean, who clearly had a game plan and didn't let his team deviate from it.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Good news, bad news
Favre is totally fine, it was basically just a stinger to his funny bone.
Of course, the injury no one knew about is Aaron Rodgers, who broke his foot and is out for the season.
Here's where having the QB with over 200 starts is crucial.
Of course, the injury no one knew about is Aaron Rodgers, who broke his foot and is out for the season.
Here's where having the QB with over 200 starts is crucial.
Badgers likely heading to Capital One Bowl
Went to the game on Saturday, and let me jus tsay that it wasn't very impressive on our part.
Buffalo, the team who gave Temple their only win in like 5 years, managed to show exactly how weak the Badgers special teams really are.
Without a punter like Ken DeBauche, who's put all but 30 punts in the endzone for touchbacks, the Badgers would be hard pressed to be in the top half of the polls, if even the top half of the conference. His pinning opponents back has managed to create a huge cover for the gaping hole that exists in our punt coverage unit.
I always love going to games at Camp Randall, and invariably of late we've gone to see not so great teams, but that really just allows you to enjoy the atmosphere more. Sure, I wouldn't have minded being at last year's Michigan game, but there's something to be said for being able to watch the band travel the stadium.
And while we're on it, I'm going to go out and say that there's no place that does the wave better than UW.
And I'm not usually a fan of the wave. Usually it's some knucklehead who's had too much to drink and won't take the hint when he's tried to get it started 8 times and no one is interested.
But the slo-mo, super-fast, reverse and split wave are fun to watch, fun to be a part of and I think the student section does a good job of choosing the moment, so that the wave isn't interfering with watching the game.
Since only 2 teams per conference are allowed in BCS games and Michigan and Ohio State have that wrapped, it looks like Wisconsin is all but assured a trip to the Capital One Bowl. Word is that the reps were at yesterday's game and are just waiting for us to be officially released from BCS consideration.
Buffalo, the team who gave Temple their only win in like 5 years, managed to show exactly how weak the Badgers special teams really are.
Without a punter like Ken DeBauche, who's put all but 30 punts in the endzone for touchbacks, the Badgers would be hard pressed to be in the top half of the polls, if even the top half of the conference. His pinning opponents back has managed to create a huge cover for the gaping hole that exists in our punt coverage unit.
I always love going to games at Camp Randall, and invariably of late we've gone to see not so great teams, but that really just allows you to enjoy the atmosphere more. Sure, I wouldn't have minded being at last year's Michigan game, but there's something to be said for being able to watch the band travel the stadium.
And while we're on it, I'm going to go out and say that there's no place that does the wave better than UW.
And I'm not usually a fan of the wave. Usually it's some knucklehead who's had too much to drink and won't take the hint when he's tried to get it started 8 times and no one is interested.
But the slo-mo, super-fast, reverse and split wave are fun to watch, fun to be a part of and I think the student section does a good job of choosing the moment, so that the wave isn't interfering with watching the game.
Since only 2 teams per conference are allowed in BCS games and Michigan and Ohio State have that wrapped, it looks like Wisconsin is all but assured a trip to the Capital One Bowl. Word is that the reps were at yesterday's game and are just waiting for us to be officially released from BCS consideration.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Bad Omen or Rallying Point?
This is either the best or worst thing that could happen for Michigan.
Bo Schembechler dies after collapsing.
Bo Schembechler dies after collapsing.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
I'm going to the game!
Ok, so we're only playing Buffalo. But I'm going to a second Wisconsin football game this weekend.
Buffalo is like 2-8 (edited) this year and has the dubious distinction of being the school that Temple beat, ending their 8,784 game losing streak.
But still, I'll be at Camp Randall and will check in on Monday with a full report. I can't imagine it will be a fabulously exciting game, but the tickets were cheap, so there you go...
Besides, it means that I'll just have to go to a sports bar to watch the Ohio-Michigan game, which is absolutely upsetting. If I werent' going to the Badger game, I'd be sitting at home watching the BIG GAME. Now I get to go watch it with a bunch of crazies.
Good times.
Buffalo is like 2-8 (edited) this year and has the dubious distinction of being the school that Temple beat, ending their 8,784 game losing streak.
But still, I'll be at Camp Randall and will check in on Monday with a full report. I can't imagine it will be a fabulously exciting game, but the tickets were cheap, so there you go...
Besides, it means that I'll just have to go to a sports bar to watch the Ohio-Michigan game, which is absolutely upsetting. If I werent' going to the Badger game, I'd be sitting at home watching the BIG GAME. Now I get to go watch it with a bunch of crazies.
Good times.
College Basketball mayhem? In November?
Maybe it's because I'm not yet in the basketball frame of mind at this point in the season and thus am not paying much attention.
But it sure seems like these first few weeks have featured some upsets and questionable outcomes already.
Just last night #3 Kansas lost to Oral Roberts! And Florida (who's ranked, but I don't have time to look up where) needed overtime to beat Rollins - a school most of you have never heard of (it's a small business school in Orlando)
Is this foreshadowing to a long, crazy season or are these teams just not yet in the groove?
But it sure seems like these first few weeks have featured some upsets and questionable outcomes already.
Just last night #3 Kansas lost to Oral Roberts! And Florida (who's ranked, but I don't have time to look up where) needed overtime to beat Rollins - a school most of you have never heard of (it's a small business school in Orlando)
Is this foreshadowing to a long, crazy season or are these teams just not yet in the groove?
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Wisconsin 24, Iowa 21
Ok, there was never really any point yesterday where I was confident in the outcome of the game. I felt like the entire last quarter was just waiting for something big to happen. It seemed as though we were just holding on, hoping the clock ran out before we could let anything bad happen.
Luckily, that did happen. But I had an uneasy feeling for much of the second half.
That being said, I was fairly impressed with the Badgers yesterday. Tyler Donovan showed that he hasn't been wasting his time as Stocco's backup.
One thing I hadn't thought about going into this game is that Donovan spent the entire pre-season working with the first team, since John Stocco had minor knee surgery just a few weeks before the first game. Clearly that time taking snaps with the 1st stringers made a difference. Both Donovan and the offense looked comfortable with Donovan being at the helm and I can't imagine that being the case had they not spent that time working during pre-season.
P.J. Hill definitely raised some eyebrows with his lack of ability to hold on to the ball. I'm reserving judgment on this particular situation, since he's had wonderful control of the ball for the rest of the season. But he's not off the hook yet...
It was wonderful to be on ESPN and have a decent announcing core whom we could understand and who imparted actually informative knowledge throughout the broadcast.
A few of the tidbits:
Coming into this game, UW had given up just 3 passing TDs all year, the best in the country
On the season, UW was allowing an average of 5.7 points per game in the second half. That average dropped to 2.4 points per game over the five games before Saturday.
The average size of Wisconsin's offensive line is larger than the average of the O-Line on any team in the NFL.
With yesterday's win, Bret Bielema became the first coach in Big Ten history to win 10 games in his first year.
All in all, that game could have been a lot uglier. It definitely made me a little uneasy at points, but that has a lot to do with my high expectations. Since this team has been so successful, it's easy to forget that they are young and that they have far exceeded anyone's expectations. It's a bit early to be able to decide whether or not this season was serendipitous, or if it's the status quo.
In the meantime, I'll be reveling in our top ten ranking.
(Which, by the way, is absolutely unreal. Absolutely no one would have believed you if you'd told them before the season that this would happen. This is a team that was without a RB and who's receiver core, total, had caught 3 passes in actual games.)
Luckily, that did happen. But I had an uneasy feeling for much of the second half.
That being said, I was fairly impressed with the Badgers yesterday. Tyler Donovan showed that he hasn't been wasting his time as Stocco's backup.
One thing I hadn't thought about going into this game is that Donovan spent the entire pre-season working with the first team, since John Stocco had minor knee surgery just a few weeks before the first game. Clearly that time taking snaps with the 1st stringers made a difference. Both Donovan and the offense looked comfortable with Donovan being at the helm and I can't imagine that being the case had they not spent that time working during pre-season.
P.J. Hill definitely raised some eyebrows with his lack of ability to hold on to the ball. I'm reserving judgment on this particular situation, since he's had wonderful control of the ball for the rest of the season. But he's not off the hook yet...
It was wonderful to be on ESPN and have a decent announcing core whom we could understand and who imparted actually informative knowledge throughout the broadcast.
A few of the tidbits:
Coming into this game, UW had given up just 3 passing TDs all year, the best in the country
On the season, UW was allowing an average of 5.7 points per game in the second half. That average dropped to 2.4 points per game over the five games before Saturday.
The average size of Wisconsin's offensive line is larger than the average of the O-Line on any team in the NFL.
With yesterday's win, Bret Bielema became the first coach in Big Ten history to win 10 games in his first year.
All in all, that game could have been a lot uglier. It definitely made me a little uneasy at points, but that has a lot to do with my high expectations. Since this team has been so successful, it's easy to forget that they are young and that they have far exceeded anyone's expectations. It's a bit early to be able to decide whether or not this season was serendipitous, or if it's the status quo.
In the meantime, I'll be reveling in our top ten ranking.
(Which, by the way, is absolutely unreal. Absolutely no one would have believed you if you'd told them before the season that this would happen. This is a team that was without a RB and who's receiver core, total, had caught 3 passes in actual games.)
Holy Crap!
Wisconsin is #9 in the BCS poll!
There's a lot to discuss about this week's BCS rankings, but frankly, at this moment, I don't care.
WISCONSIN IS A TOP TEN TEAM!!!
There's a lot to discuss about this week's BCS rankings, but frankly, at this moment, I don't care.
WISCONSIN IS A TOP TEN TEAM!!!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Yount not returning as Brewers coach
from jsonline.com
When Robin Yount accepted a position as bench coach for the Milwaukee Brewers just over a year ago, he said he would take it on a year-to-year basis. As it turns out, it was just one year.
Yount informed Brewers general manager Doug Melvin today that he will not return in 2007 as the team's bench coach. Yount had been invited back to the coaching staff at the end of the season but said he needed time to see if it was right for him personally.
Yount, 51, apparently decided it was more important for him to stay home in Arizona and spend more time with his wife Michele. All four of the Yount's children have left the home, either to attend college or take jobs.
Yount spent all 20 of his major-league seasons with the Brewers and was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, the first electee to represent the club in Cooperstown. He previously coached with the Arizona Diamondbacks before accepting the position on Brewers manager Ned Yost's staff.
The Brewers now have two coaching vacancies to fill. They are also looking for a first base coach to replace Dave Nelson, who was dismissed at the end of the season.
Jim Skaalen was hired a couple of weeks ago to replace fired hitting coach Butch Wynegar.
When Robin Yount accepted a position as bench coach for the Milwaukee Brewers just over a year ago, he said he would take it on a year-to-year basis. As it turns out, it was just one year.
Yount informed Brewers general manager Doug Melvin today that he will not return in 2007 as the team's bench coach. Yount had been invited back to the coaching staff at the end of the season but said he needed time to see if it was right for him personally.
Yount, 51, apparently decided it was more important for him to stay home in Arizona and spend more time with his wife Michele. All four of the Yount's children have left the home, either to attend college or take jobs.
Yount spent all 20 of his major-league seasons with the Brewers and was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, the first electee to represent the club in Cooperstown. He previously coached with the Arizona Diamondbacks before accepting the position on Brewers manager Ned Yost's staff.
The Brewers now have two coaching vacancies to fill. They are also looking for a first base coach to replace Dave Nelson, who was dismissed at the end of the season.
Jim Skaalen was hired a couple of weeks ago to replace fired hitting coach Butch Wynegar.
National Disaster Averted, no Big East team to play for National Championship
The Louisville Cardinals football team were nice enough to prevent a national meltdown about a Big East team playing for the National Championship by losing to Rutgers last night.
I have no details on the game (I was at a concert) but I have tivoed the replay. All I know is that there was a missed extra point run back - all that work for 2 whole points!
So now we're back to wondering which one loss team will meet the winner of Michigan/Ohio State in the NC.
And at this point, if you look at BCS averages, I'm not sure you can make a case for any other team than the loser of that matchup.
So is that what we're looking at? Michigan vs. Ohio State in the title game?
Does Florida deserve it more? Is there a sleeper team we see going into the NC instead?
I have no details on the game (I was at a concert) but I have tivoed the replay. All I know is that there was a missed extra point run back - all that work for 2 whole points!
So now we're back to wondering which one loss team will meet the winner of Michigan/Ohio State in the NC.
And at this point, if you look at BCS averages, I'm not sure you can make a case for any other team than the loser of that matchup.
So is that what we're looking at? Michigan vs. Ohio State in the title game?
Does Florida deserve it more? Is there a sleeper team we see going into the NC instead?
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
J-S College Basketball Big Ten Conference Preview
Quick capsule reviews of all the Big Ten teams here.
University of Wisconsin Men's Basketball
The Journal-Sentinel today published what they said was their preview of the #9 ranked Wisconsin Badgers.
Full reading here.
However, it appears to be just a profile of Kammron Taylor. Though it's an interesting article, I sure as hell hope this isn't the only thing they're printing ...
Full reading here.
However, it appears to be just a profile of Kammron Taylor. Though it's an interesting article, I sure as hell hope this isn't the only thing they're printing ...
Wisconsin QB John Stocco likely out against Iowa
Ok, so this story's a little shady in that it says "a source" is reporting that John Stocco's arm is in a sling ... as though that's a difficult thing to confirm or deny. It's not THAT big of a campus that someone couldn't search John out and see if the arm's in a sling or not ...
from jsonline.com
Madison - If the University of Wisconsin football team ends its four-game losing streak against rival Iowa, it likely will be forced to do so without fifth-year senior quarterback John Stocco.
According to a source, Stocco's throwing arm has been in a sling since at least Sunday and he isn't expected to practice this week or play Saturday when UW (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten Conference) closes league play at Iowa (6-4, 2-4).
Stocco, who has started 35 consecutive games, has a 28-7 record and is two victories shy of the school mark for victories by a quarterback. He suffered an unspecified injury to his right shoulder in UW's 13-3 victory over Penn State last week. Junior Tyler Donovan, a prep All-American at Arrowhead High School, took over for Stocco on the final two series against Penn State and is poised to make his first collegiate start this week.
UW coach Bret Bielema on Monday shared only a few details regarding Stocco's status but did note that one of the hits jarred the shoulder "loose." That choice of words suggests that Stocco suffered more than just a bruise.
"He will be evaluated every day," Bielema said. "The signs coming out of the doctor's voice yesterday were very encouraging for us.
"We don't practice on Mondays and didn't have any practice time on the field Sunday. Whether he will be available Tuesday will be determined Tuesday."
Regardless of Stocco's health status, questions remain about why Stocco was on the field when he suffered the hit that sent him to the bench for good with 10 minutes 7 seconds left in the game.
Stocco first injured the shoulder late in the third quarter when he was hit by linebacker Paul Posluszny.
Stocco completed one pass after the first hit, an 11-yard gain to tight end Andy Crooks, but the play was wiped out by a holding call.
UW ran the ball on the next play and then punted.
After the punt, TV cameras showed Stocco grimacing in obvious pain on the sideline when he tested the shoulder by making a few light throws. The staff opted to send him onto the field on the next series with UW leading, 13-3, though. He completed one pass on the drive, a 14-yard gain to Luke Swan, but was sacked by linebacker Sean Lee two plays later and left the game.
"(We) basically made an evaluation on the sideline at the time of his ability to function as a quarterback," Bielema said. "John felt comfortable and everybody did. Otherwise we wouldn't have put him on the field.
"Unfortunately he kind of jarred it loose again. . . or hurt it, re-aggravated it. That is when he was taken out of the game."
Donovan completed his only pass attempt against Penn State, for 2 yards, and had a 20-yard run on a naked bootleg to pick up a crucial first down when UW was taking time off the clock.
His performance Saturday was much cleaner than his effort in Week 2 against Western Illinois, when he went 0 for 3 with an interception and was sacked twice for 17 yards in losses.
"It ended a little bit ugly," Bielema said. "But there were a lot of new faces in there experiencing college football for the first time."
Saturday against Penn State, Donovan was surrounded by starters.
"Everybody thinks we go through a different game plan or a different approach just because Tyler is in there," Bielema said. "Tyler has been in every one of those (quarterback) meetings. . . .
"I think guys in our program want to be the guy that carries the torch, the next man in."
from jsonline.com
Madison - If the University of Wisconsin football team ends its four-game losing streak against rival Iowa, it likely will be forced to do so without fifth-year senior quarterback John Stocco.
According to a source, Stocco's throwing arm has been in a sling since at least Sunday and he isn't expected to practice this week or play Saturday when UW (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten Conference) closes league play at Iowa (6-4, 2-4).
Stocco, who has started 35 consecutive games, has a 28-7 record and is two victories shy of the school mark for victories by a quarterback. He suffered an unspecified injury to his right shoulder in UW's 13-3 victory over Penn State last week. Junior Tyler Donovan, a prep All-American at Arrowhead High School, took over for Stocco on the final two series against Penn State and is poised to make his first collegiate start this week.
UW coach Bret Bielema on Monday shared only a few details regarding Stocco's status but did note that one of the hits jarred the shoulder "loose." That choice of words suggests that Stocco suffered more than just a bruise.
"He will be evaluated every day," Bielema said. "The signs coming out of the doctor's voice yesterday were very encouraging for us.
"We don't practice on Mondays and didn't have any practice time on the field Sunday. Whether he will be available Tuesday will be determined Tuesday."
Regardless of Stocco's health status, questions remain about why Stocco was on the field when he suffered the hit that sent him to the bench for good with 10 minutes 7 seconds left in the game.
Stocco first injured the shoulder late in the third quarter when he was hit by linebacker Paul Posluszny.
Stocco completed one pass after the first hit, an 11-yard gain to tight end Andy Crooks, but the play was wiped out by a holding call.
UW ran the ball on the next play and then punted.
After the punt, TV cameras showed Stocco grimacing in obvious pain on the sideline when he tested the shoulder by making a few light throws. The staff opted to send him onto the field on the next series with UW leading, 13-3, though. He completed one pass on the drive, a 14-yard gain to Luke Swan, but was sacked by linebacker Sean Lee two plays later and left the game.
"(We) basically made an evaluation on the sideline at the time of his ability to function as a quarterback," Bielema said. "John felt comfortable and everybody did. Otherwise we wouldn't have put him on the field.
"Unfortunately he kind of jarred it loose again. . . or hurt it, re-aggravated it. That is when he was taken out of the game."
Donovan completed his only pass attempt against Penn State, for 2 yards, and had a 20-yard run on a naked bootleg to pick up a crucial first down when UW was taking time off the clock.
His performance Saturday was much cleaner than his effort in Week 2 against Western Illinois, when he went 0 for 3 with an interception and was sacked twice for 17 yards in losses.
"It ended a little bit ugly," Bielema said. "But there were a lot of new faces in there experiencing college football for the first time."
Saturday against Penn State, Donovan was surrounded by starters.
"Everybody thinks we go through a different game plan or a different approach just because Tyler is in there," Bielema said. "Tyler has been in every one of those (quarterback) meetings. . . .
"I think guys in our program want to be the guy that carries the torch, the next man in."
College football shorts
A University of Miami DE was shot and killed shortly after leaving practice today. Brief story here. Not much info yet.
An interesting story from ESPN.com about the losing culture at Temple. The team is openly mocked on campus (and nationwide, really). The story looks at what keeps them going.
Opposing viewpoints on whether Bielema was a genius or a boob for exploiting the time clock rule at the end of last week's game. Alvarez said he did the right thing. And Insider article says the move was questionable and unsportsmanlike.
A Florida player was stabbed in the leg by a female student.
Joe Pa has surgery to fix the two torn ligaments in his knee and is being kept hospitalized for now.
Likeliest Badger Bowl scenarios
Sure, Louisville beat WVU, and likely will be #3 in the BCS, leading to all kinds of talk whether a Big East team deserves to be in the NC ... but SI.com asks whether they should be after giving up 540 yards.
An interesting story from ESPN.com about the losing culture at Temple. The team is openly mocked on campus (and nationwide, really). The story looks at what keeps them going.
Opposing viewpoints on whether Bielema was a genius or a boob for exploiting the time clock rule at the end of last week's game. Alvarez said he did the right thing. And Insider article says the move was questionable and unsportsmanlike.
A Florida player was stabbed in the leg by a female student.
Joe Pa has surgery to fix the two torn ligaments in his knee and is being kept hospitalized for now.
Likeliest Badger Bowl scenarios
Sure, Louisville beat WVU, and likely will be #3 in the BCS, leading to all kinds of talk whether a Big East team deserves to be in the NC ... but SI.com asks whether they should be after giving up 540 yards.
I wanna be, I wanna be like Todd...
Ok, so I have no insane ideas to try and watch anywhere near as many movies as Todd has, but every once in a while I get the whim that I want to watch all the movies on the American Film Insitute's "100" lists.
A few years ago the AFI began producing these lists in conjunction with the centennial anniversary of the birth of Cinema.
There's the 100 year, 100 movies list
100 years, 100 passions
100 years, 100 laughs
100 years, 100 thrills
100 years, 100 chills
There are some other lists as well - and all they can all be found here.
So I've been saying I'm going to do this, then I print out the list, see how few of the truly great movies that I've seen, become dismayed and embarrassed ... and usually forget about the whole thing.
So here's the complete "top 100" list and the ones I've seen (meager though my list is) are bolded:
A few years ago the AFI began producing these lists in conjunction with the centennial anniversary of the birth of Cinema.
There's the 100 year, 100 movies list
100 years, 100 passions
100 years, 100 laughs
100 years, 100 thrills
100 years, 100 chills
There are some other lists as well - and all they can all be found here.
So I've been saying I'm going to do this, then I print out the list, see how few of the truly great movies that I've seen, become dismayed and embarrassed ... and usually forget about the whole thing.
So here's the complete "top 100" list and the ones I've seen (meager though my list is) are bolded:
1.CITIZEN KANE (1941)
2.CASABLANCA (1942)
3.GODFATHER, THE (1972)
4.GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
5.LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962)
6.WIZARD OF OZ, THE (1939)
7.GRADUATE, THE (1967)
8.ON THE WATERFRONT (1954)
9.SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993)
10.SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)
11.IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)
12.SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)
13.BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, THE (1957)
14.SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
15.STAR WARS (1977)
16.ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)
17.AFRICAN QUEEN, THE (1951)
18.PSYCHO (1960)
19.CHINATOWN (1974)
20.ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975)
21.GRAPES OF WRATH, THE (1940)
22.2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968)
23.MALTESE FALCON, THE (1941)
24.RAGING BULL (1980)
25.E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)
26.DR. STRANGELOVE (1964)
27.BONNIE & CLYDE (1967)
28.APOCALYPSE NOW (1979)
29.MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939)
30.TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (1948)
31.ANNIE HALL (1977)
32.GODFATHER PART II, THE (1974)
33.HIGH NOON (1952)
34.TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962)
35.IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)
36.MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969)
37.BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, THE (1946)
38.DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)
39.DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)
40.NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)
41.WEST SIDE STORY (1961)
42.REAR WINDOW (1954)
43.KING KONG (1933)
44.BIRTH OF A NATION, THE (1915)
45.STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, A (1951)
46.CLOCKWORK ORANGE, A (1971)
47.TAXI DRIVER (1976)
48.JAWS (1975)
49.SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)
50.BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID (1969)
51.PHILADELPHIA STORY, THE(1940)
52.FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)
53.AMADEUS (1984)
54.ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930)
55.SOUND OF MUSIC, THE (1965)
56.M*A*S*H(1970)
57.THIRD MAN, THE (1949)
58.FANTASIA (1940)
59.REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955)
60.RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
61.VERTIGO (1958)
62.TOOTSIE (1982)
63.STAGECOACH (1939)
64.CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977)
65.SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, THE (1991)
66.NETWORK (1976)
67.MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, THE (1962)
68.AMERICAN IN PARIS, AN (1951)
69.SHANE (1953)
70.FRENCH CONNECTION, THE (1971)
71.FORREST GUMP (1994)
72.BEN-HUR (1959)
73.WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939)
74.GOLD RUSH, THE (1925)
75.DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990)
76.CITY LIGHTS (1931)
77.AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973)
78.ROCKY (1976)
79.DEER HUNTER, THE (1978)
80.WILD BUNCH, THE (1969)
81.MODERN TIMES (1936)
82.GIANT (1956)
83.PLATOON (1986)
84.FARGO (1996)
85.DUCK SOUP (1933)
86.MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1935)
87.FRANKENSTEIN (1931)
88.EASY RIDER (1969)
89.PATTON (1970)
90.JAZZ SINGER, THE (1927)
91.MY FAIR LADY (1964)
92.PLACE IN THE SUN, A(1951)
93.APARTMENT, THE (1960)
94.GOODFELLAS (1990)
95.PULP FICTION (1994)
96.SEARCHERS, THE (1956)
97.BRINGING UP BABY (1938)
98.UNFORGIVEN (1992)
99.GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER (1967)
100. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942)
Ok, so admittedly, it's pathetic the number of movies I haven't seen. But I could have told you that without the aid of this list.
I've never seen a Bond movie. I've never seen a full Indiana Jones movie. I've not seen the Godfathers. I've never seen a Hitchcock movie.
I know it's bad, so I'm using this list as an impetus to see how far I get. No time limit - just a guide to get my butt in gear.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Strange thing afoot in the SEC
I was contemplating all that happened in the SEC yesterday and I was trying to decide which of the things that have happened this season would have been most unbelievable to us a few weeks ago. If I had told you during pre-season that by the first weekend of November:
LSU would win at Knoxville ...
Meaning that Florida clinched the West by November 4th
Georgia will have lost to Vandy AND Kentucky!
Alabama will have lost to Mississippi State
Auburn will have lost to Arkansas
Arkansas will be leading the East
Would you have believed me?
LSU would win at Knoxville ...
Meaning that Florida clinched the West by November 4th
Georgia will have lost to Vandy AND Kentucky!
Alabama will have lost to Mississippi State
Auburn will have lost to Arkansas
Arkansas will be leading the East
Would you have believed me?
On why we hate Tennessee (And How LSU WON!)
I lived in Louisiana for a number of years, so I have a definite affinity for the LSU Tigers.
Clearly, my affinity nowhere reaches the intensity of my love for the Badgers, but they're my SEC team. I've been to a few games in Death Valley and really, it's never been an issue between the two teams, they don't meet or compete for the same BCS spots .. so it works for me.
If you know anything about the SEC, you know that the one thing all the teams will universally agree upon is a hatred of Tennessee. It's hard to explain. It's not jealousy, because most time the others teams (like Florida, Georgia, and LSU) are better then Tennessee. It's just a general distaste.
Tennessee is known for having run-ins with the law. Over at EDSBS.com (Every Day Should Be Saturday - a must-read college football blog) they keep track of college team's arrests in what they've dubbed the Fulmer Cup, for Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer.
So after LSU went into Knoxville last night (ranked 13) and beat Tennessee (ranked 8) for the first time in four years (at Neyland Stadium), a couple of Tennessee players went ahead and made some headlines of their own (notice the last paragraph):
From ESPN.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee starting running back Arian Foster and two other players were arrested early Sunday after police were called to a fight at a nightclub.
Foster, safety Antonio Wardlow and fullback David Holbert were charged with disorderly conduct and underage consumption, police said. Wardlow also was charged with public intoxication. All three players are 20.
The police arrived at an area nightclub at about 3 a.m., several hours after the No. 8 Volunteers fell 28-24 to No. 13 LSU. The loss meant Florida clinched the Southeastern Conference East division title ahead of Tennessee.
Athletic department spokeswoman Tiffany Carpenter said school officials were gathering information about the arrests and would likely have a statement from coach Phillip Fulmer on Sunday afternoon.
Police said they found people shouting at each other and fights about to break out at the scene.
"The officers were able to initially break up most of potential problems, however, they observed Mr. Arian Foster shoving another individual," police said.
"Shortly thereafter they found two other individuals involved in an altercation. Those individuals -- also University of Tennessee football players -- were identified as Antonio Wardlow and David Holbert. As a result of the fight and disturbance there at [the] nightclub all three individuals were arrested."
Some media outlets reported they had been released from jail, but officials would immediately comment on their status.
Foster had 10 carries for 44 yards against LSU to lead the Vols' running game. Holbert and Wardlow played in the game, but did not register any statistics.
Tennessee had a problem with players getting arrested before the 2005 season, which ended with a 5-6 mark. Eight players were arrested or cited between January and July 2005. This summer, the Vols had four players arrested, and one was dismissed from the team.
Clearly, my affinity nowhere reaches the intensity of my love for the Badgers, but they're my SEC team. I've been to a few games in Death Valley and really, it's never been an issue between the two teams, they don't meet or compete for the same BCS spots .. so it works for me.
If you know anything about the SEC, you know that the one thing all the teams will universally agree upon is a hatred of Tennessee. It's hard to explain. It's not jealousy, because most time the others teams (like Florida, Georgia, and LSU) are better then Tennessee. It's just a general distaste.
Tennessee is known for having run-ins with the law. Over at EDSBS.com (Every Day Should Be Saturday - a must-read college football blog) they keep track of college team's arrests in what they've dubbed the Fulmer Cup, for Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer.
So after LSU went into Knoxville last night (ranked 13) and beat Tennessee (ranked 8) for the first time in four years (at Neyland Stadium), a couple of Tennessee players went ahead and made some headlines of their own (notice the last paragraph):
From ESPN.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee starting running back Arian Foster and two other players were arrested early Sunday after police were called to a fight at a nightclub.
Foster, safety Antonio Wardlow and fullback David Holbert were charged with disorderly conduct and underage consumption, police said. Wardlow also was charged with public intoxication. All three players are 20.
The police arrived at an area nightclub at about 3 a.m., several hours after the No. 8 Volunteers fell 28-24 to No. 13 LSU. The loss meant Florida clinched the Southeastern Conference East division title ahead of Tennessee.
Athletic department spokeswoman Tiffany Carpenter said school officials were gathering information about the arrests and would likely have a statement from coach Phillip Fulmer on Sunday afternoon.
Police said they found people shouting at each other and fights about to break out at the scene.
"The officers were able to initially break up most of potential problems, however, they observed Mr. Arian Foster shoving another individual," police said.
"Shortly thereafter they found two other individuals involved in an altercation. Those individuals -- also University of Tennessee football players -- were identified as Antonio Wardlow and David Holbert. As a result of the fight and disturbance there at [the] nightclub all three individuals were arrested."
Some media outlets reported they had been released from jail, but officials would immediately comment on their status.
Foster had 10 carries for 44 yards against LSU to lead the Vols' running game. Holbert and Wardlow played in the game, but did not register any statistics.
Tennessee had a problem with players getting arrested before the 2005 season, which ended with a 5-6 mark. Eight players were arrested or cited between January and July 2005. This summer, the Vols had four players arrested, and one was dismissed from the team.
The score of yesterday's Badger football game against Penn State severely underplays what an important game it was.
So much happened and you'd assume it was a pretty boring game from the 13-3 score.
But the fallout from yesterday's game is rather huge.
The foremost issue on everyone else's mind is the injury to Joe Pa, but we'll come back to that.
The biggest topic on my mind (besides whether or not Stocco will be able to play vs. Iowa, which we'll also get to further down) is the brilliant play-calling to end the half.
Wisconsin scored a TD with under a minute left to go in the half. After the extra point, there was about :30 second left on the clock.
New clock rules in college football this year say that the clock starts when the ball is kicked, not when it is caught, as had previously been the rule.
Bielema had his entire team lineup and take off before the ball was kicked, which incurs an offside penalty. Of course, the play is run to it's conclusion, first, meaning the clock runs. In theory, the receiving team could run it back and decline the penalty. But when you get that much of a head start on the punt, they really have no chance to return it.
We did this twice! The clock ran down to under :10, at which time we punted as normal and the half ended without Penn State being allowed to put together a last minute drive.
Joe Pa was furious! And the guys in the booth were a bit confused. Finally, one of the announcers caught on to what we were doing, explained it to everyone else and they all started laughing and pronounced Bielema as brilliant.
I'm sure this loophole will be addressed in the off-season, but major props to Bielema for his obvious attention to detail and straight up intelligence. I know Joe Pa was angry, and I'm sure if it had happened against us, I would be too. But you have to see the inherent intelligence Bielema showed here. And I say good for him!
Now, back to Joe Pa and Stocco...
Early in the second half a Penn State tight end, Andrew Quarless made a catch on right at the sideline. As the tackle was being made, a Badger player's helmet collided with Paterno's left leg. The slow motion replay is still giving me chills, as it looked like Joe Pa's knee hyperextended backwards.
Word today is that there is a fracture at the top of his shinbone and there is some ligament damage. School officials and doctors are saying surgery isn't out of the question, though apparently Joe Pa is going about his day as though it were any other Sunday.
An ESPN article is also reporting that the statue of Joe Pa near Happy Valley is already sporting a bandage about it's knee and get well wishes.
However, that injury is second in Badger fans' heads to the one that knocked Jon Stocco out of the game. Two separate hits seem to have combined to force Stocco to the benches. Thus far the coaching staff is mum, saying we won't know for a few days whether or not he'll be ready to play this weekend against Iowa.
While the injury doesn't appear to be season ending and while the next two week's games are negligible, since we're already assured of second place in the Big Ten, we're actually still being named in the discussion about who will receive at-large BCS bids. It's a long shot - but a big showing at Iowa would definitely help our case.
I'm torn on this, since I feel like the BCS bid really isn't crucial or an issue and Stocco is in his last year. I don't think it would be so bad for backup Tyler Donovan to get some big game experience. At the same time, we have a transfer QB who becomes eligible for next season, likely leaving Donovan as backup again - in which case I don't care what kind of experience he has!
So much happened and you'd assume it was a pretty boring game from the 13-3 score.
But the fallout from yesterday's game is rather huge.
The foremost issue on everyone else's mind is the injury to Joe Pa, but we'll come back to that.
The biggest topic on my mind (besides whether or not Stocco will be able to play vs. Iowa, which we'll also get to further down) is the brilliant play-calling to end the half.
Wisconsin scored a TD with under a minute left to go in the half. After the extra point, there was about :30 second left on the clock.
New clock rules in college football this year say that the clock starts when the ball is kicked, not when it is caught, as had previously been the rule.
Bielema had his entire team lineup and take off before the ball was kicked, which incurs an offside penalty. Of course, the play is run to it's conclusion, first, meaning the clock runs. In theory, the receiving team could run it back and decline the penalty. But when you get that much of a head start on the punt, they really have no chance to return it.
We did this twice! The clock ran down to under :10, at which time we punted as normal and the half ended without Penn State being allowed to put together a last minute drive.
Joe Pa was furious! And the guys in the booth were a bit confused. Finally, one of the announcers caught on to what we were doing, explained it to everyone else and they all started laughing and pronounced Bielema as brilliant.
I'm sure this loophole will be addressed in the off-season, but major props to Bielema for his obvious attention to detail and straight up intelligence. I know Joe Pa was angry, and I'm sure if it had happened against us, I would be too. But you have to see the inherent intelligence Bielema showed here. And I say good for him!
Now, back to Joe Pa and Stocco...
Early in the second half a Penn State tight end, Andrew Quarless made a catch on right at the sideline. As the tackle was being made, a Badger player's helmet collided with Paterno's left leg. The slow motion replay is still giving me chills, as it looked like Joe Pa's knee hyperextended backwards.
Word today is that there is a fracture at the top of his shinbone and there is some ligament damage. School officials and doctors are saying surgery isn't out of the question, though apparently Joe Pa is going about his day as though it were any other Sunday.
An ESPN article is also reporting that the statue of Joe Pa near Happy Valley is already sporting a bandage about it's knee and get well wishes.
However, that injury is second in Badger fans' heads to the one that knocked Jon Stocco out of the game. Two separate hits seem to have combined to force Stocco to the benches. Thus far the coaching staff is mum, saying we won't know for a few days whether or not he'll be ready to play this weekend against Iowa.
While the injury doesn't appear to be season ending and while the next two week's games are negligible, since we're already assured of second place in the Big Ten, we're actually still being named in the discussion about who will receive at-large BCS bids. It's a long shot - but a big showing at Iowa would definitely help our case.
I'm torn on this, since I feel like the BCS bid really isn't crucial or an issue and Stocco is in his last year. I don't think it would be so bad for backup Tyler Donovan to get some big game experience. At the same time, we have a transfer QB who becomes eligible for next season, likely leaving Donovan as backup again - in which case I don't care what kind of experience he has!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
University of Wisconsin and the "motion W"
So that W on the side of the Wisconsin helmets .. and, well, everywhere else, is officially called the Motion W. It's supposedly a 1990's invention meant to update our image.
Ever since, the logo has made it's way into the ranks of high schools, who use similar logos.
Also in the 90's, the University got into some ugly legal battles over the rights to Bucky. Once Bucky made his way on to some lewd shirts (like the "F*** Em Bucky shirts, where Bucky's flippin' the bird) and condoms, the University realized it needed to take control of the image. (Why it took until the 1990's for us to figure this out, I'm not sure)
So now UW is really protective and likely rather uptight about their copyrights.
This article talks about the most current suit, against a high school football team in Iowa.
The article makes some good points - especially that there are only so many ways to write a letter.
Check out the story here:http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006610310390
Ever since, the logo has made it's way into the ranks of high schools, who use similar logos.
Also in the 90's, the University got into some ugly legal battles over the rights to Bucky. Once Bucky made his way on to some lewd shirts (like the "F*** Em Bucky shirts, where Bucky's flippin' the bird) and condoms, the University realized it needed to take control of the image. (Why it took until the 1990's for us to figure this out, I'm not sure)
So now UW is really protective and likely rather uptight about their copyrights.
This article talks about the most current suit, against a high school football team in Iowa.
The article makes some good points - especially that there are only so many ways to write a letter.
Check out the story here:http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006610310390
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