Goal: To thoroughly experience gameday at every FBS college football stadium. STADIUM COUNT: 113/134
The Badgers clearly did not hear Marshall’s stampede into Camp Randall Stadium. The Thundering Herd charged out to an early 14-0 lead bringing those clad in green to their feet and shouted, “We Are Marshall,” much like the movie portrayed. But, it wouldn’t be long before Wisconsin would remind their guests of where they were and who they were playing.
Did Michigan really have anything to play for? Regardless of the outcome of their game against the Badgers, the Big Ten title still depended on their success against Ohio State next week. Perhaps they were looking ahead and not focusing on the Badgers who needed this win in the worst way. Missing their star wide receiver and standout runningback, Wisconsin would need to play at optimum level to knock of the Wolverines. On senior day, the Badgers would reach that level and take it a step further.
Dodging bullets may be the name of the game this year if your team is in the top five and a national championship is a main goal. This season has been one of many mishaps by upper echelon football squads. Being in the top five is about survival, not about dominance. Many teams who have found their way into this elite range have fallen, but not the Buckeyes. Yes, their schedule may be weaker, but upsets have been coming in all forms this year and no game is a gimme. The Badgers charged into Columbus riding a three game winning streak in Ohio Stadium, so an upset certainly wouldn’t be a fairy tale in this matchup.
The wheels have come off the Bucky Wagon and Penn State holds the lug nuts. On homecoming weekend in Happy Valley, the Badgers played like they ate too much Peachy Paterno ice cream over at the Berkey Creamery. From the first play, it became clear to those wearing red that this Saturday would be a long one. Star tailback P.J. Hill fumbled on the opening play for Wisconsin and Penn State only needed three plays to capitalize. The 109,754 that crammed inside Beaver Stadium would enjoy a stunning blowout of the ranked Badgers and looked to be turning a major corner on their season.
October is not supposed to be this hot in the Midwest. The Illini aren’t really supposed to be that hot either, but with head coach Ron Zook at the controls, no 90 degree weather is going to keep their goals out of reach. Fifth ranked Wisconsin came in as an underdog to the unranked Illini and few people viewed this as surprising. The Badgers have been winning by a thread each week displaying a defense that had a tendency to spring leaks. The expansion and construction of Memorial Stadium served as a nice metaphor for the entire program as it is moving toward a bigger and better future. Today would be the major turning point.
Appalachian State has sparked belief in the creampuffs of the nation that they have the power to upend any juggernaut on the top 25 slate. The Division I-AA Mountaineers shocked the #5 Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor two weeks ago leaving fans to believe that anything is possible. The Citadel, hailing from the same conference as Appalachian State, harbored similar aspirations entering Madison this past weekend. The #7 Wisconsin Badgers didn?t see the Bulldogs? bite coming. A 21-21 tie at halftime had the Camp Randall crowd booing the teams off the field.
First game jitters were not a factor in the opener for the Badgers and Cougars. Both teams had every right to be anxious. Wisconsin held its highest preseason ranking in seven years and title talk has swept the state. Washington State had to play their opener over two thousand miles from home in a hostile environment. Yet, no nervousness could be detected as the Cougars silenced the 81,000+ partisans in Camp Randall Stadium with a solid opening march for a touchdown. Undaunted, the Badgers returned the favor on the next drive. The way these two teams fired out of the gate made them seem more like well oiled mid season machines.
Continue reading “Game 129: Washington State @ #7 Wisconsin”
Boilermaker Spirit Weekend at Purdue is saturated with activities culminating with the conference clash on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium. The festivities were cut short this year thanks to the Badger defense that held Purdue to its lowest offensive output at home in thirteen years. The weather reached perfection and West Lafayette offers a classic Midwest venue that can please even the most sensitive of college football critics. The only missing link this weekend fell on the shoulders of the Purdue offense that couldn’t move a feather with an industrial fan much less a football.
October seventh marked the tenth time that I have witnessed the clash between Northwestern and Wisconsin. Most of the time, the game comes down to the wire. Last year, the Wildcats upset the Badgers in a 51-48 shootout. The rendition at Camp Randall Stadium this year had Wisconsin continuing the scoring frenzy and defensively meowing the Wildcat’s roar.
Two weeks after Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner underwent brain surgery, he returned to the sidelines to guide his team in their conference opener against Wisconsin. His resilient comeback inspired all who witnessed him leading his team into Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon.