That's a slap in the face to Wisconsin especially, for Disney to allow this to be relegated to BTN. I almost vomited when I heard the news. Now I really have to stop procrastinating and scrap those cheap cable bastards for a dish. This would be 3 straight Bucky games I'd have missed, and arguably our biggest of the year.
It seems like some posters might be underestimating the difficulty of this contest based on UW's performance against PSU, when they were throttled 38-7. However, the transitive property doesn't always work in sports, especially college football. Some teams have a Jekyl and Hyde nature. I seriously doubt Oregon State was as intense and focused when they were demolished by Cincinnati and UCLA, as they were in defeating California on the road. Prior to the latter they were fresh of a victory, and had the benefit of momentum. Winning and momentum can do wonders for confidence. So when the Badgers annihilated hapless Northern Illinois two weeks ago, it wouldn't seem too relevant. However, I doubt a tantamount Badger team showed up to pummel Indiana 33-3, as got pummeled 38-7 against PSU. PSU's mighty defense allowed 31 points against Indiana (ten times Wisconsin's total!).
It's not as if we didn't have the potential. UW was picked #7 in the preseason for a reason, and that reason was primarily the defense.
Defenders are starting to gain confidence and gel it appears. Jack Ikegwuonu has resembled the uber stud the previous year in locking down James Hardy. He's no punk like the unbelievably overrated Justin King (I've been saying that for a couple years). Be sure that one side of the field will be closed for OSU's business. Will the rest of the defense rise to the occasion? I'm not psychic, but I'd imagine they will be intense and focused. I'm expecting OSU to at least be contained. The key is the defensive line keeping OSU's offensive line off Bucky's LB's so they are free to make plays, instead of being trampled by a horse like Chris Wells. The Badgers have dipped into their defensive line depth and size a little more, so I think that's another reason for the improvement in addition to the confidence builders. Boekman impressed me against PSU, so he should be able to take advantage of our weaker corner Allen Langford. Also, the safeties of the Badgers still might be very suspect (Carter on the tackling side, and Pleasant probably both), so if they can get that deep, it might mean a couple big plays. But I don't know if there will be numerous territorial marches like against PSU.
Offensively, Tyler Donovan has regressed dramatically pretty much every game since his starting debut in '06. He showed special awareness making improvisational plays outside of the pocket and checking down multiple reads. Most of this season he panics if his first read is covered. If the safeties don't bite on play action, he doesn't adjust, and often makes the deep throw regardless. Otherwise he'll scramble out of the pocket solely to run the football, and isn't even aware enough to ever throw the ball away and avoid the 4 yard loss. Allen Evridge would seemingly give us a better chance because he has a rocket arm (although erratic), is smarter, and probably faster. However, Bielema is very stubborn and I can almost assure you Donovan will be playing Sunday unless he creates an enormous early deficit. Jenkins could exploit his girl arm. Hill should be near 100 percent I'd imagine. He only bruised his foot. I simulated the injury after the game by running and kicking my fridge, in order to gauge his availability next Saturday. Already a day later I can run full speed without issues. Hopefully he can channel Ron Dayne at the Shoe in '99 stomping mudholes in Buckeyes arses. If not, the experiment of rushing each fullback looked promising. This offensive line isn't appreciably inferior to those Rose Bowl year teams. New England's GM believes that rs frosh Gabe "Hebrew Horse" Carimi will be a future top NFL prospect, but afterall what does he know. Hubbard returned 2 weeks ago and is near 100 percent. Beckum is Beckum. Glenville's own K-Jeff has been a pleasant surprise. Daven Jones looks promising as a playmaker, but is probably under-utilized.
Should be a pretty good game. I'm looking forward to it. I had originally planned to talk mad smack this game and attempt to set the record for dings, but that was before I was humbled by the struggles earlier this season. I'll be cautious to not stick my foot in my mouth....unless the Badgers get off to a good start.
Either that.......or we'll just get an earlier start.
