Taking it up the Axe

The Badgers three-game point total in Big Ten play is the highest in history (141, previous high was 135). Purdue's defense is a leaky one too, so the records may keep tumbling.

If Beckum isn't the best TE in the country, who is? Two TD's, another 100-yard receiving game! Paul Hubbard who?

Bo Knows Budgets

WSJ article on UW Basketball's incredible profit margin. UW had the lowest reported recruiting expenses in the conference.

On a side note, Gameday is not scheduled to come to Madison for any games this season, but they will visit MSU twice, Indiana, and OSU. Is this a lack of respect for the league favorte, or punishment for our fan's crude language?

Axe Appeal

The record 116th contest between the two teams. The Badgers practiced with the axe on the field all week. Alvarez was responsible for making it an object of affection, and Bielema has gone out of his way to stress rivalry games.

The battle for recruits between the two programs is also ongoing, and the Gophers will soon even the scales with a new on-campus stadium. Wasn't aware they coveted Smith and even tampered with him after he committed to UW. Issac Anderson was also a steal from their own city. His dad attended UM and he watched last year's game behind the UW bench.

More Props

The Badgers are again picked to win the Big Ten, this time by Espn.com.

The ideal situation would be for the Badgers to get a top seed and play their first and second round NCAA tourney games at the United Center in Chicago.

Secret Ingredient

The Badgers check in at #6 in cnnsi.com's initial power rankings.

"The Badgers are going to win the Big Ten this season -- and while most of the attention is on their senior duo of Alando Tucker and Kammron Taylor, the secret ingredient will be sophomore Marcus Landry, who was academically ineligible for the second half of last season. The 6-7 wing, who averaged 6.0 points and 3.1 rebounds in 15.4 minutes/game as a freshman, gives UW a sorely-needed boost of athleticism in the swing offense. With specimens such as Tucker, Landry, center Greg Stiemsma (who was also ineligible for the end of '05-06) and incoming freshman point guard Trevon Hughes, the Badgers should be able to shed their plodding image and make some national noise. "

Amazing Comeback Revisited

On the eve of the fight for Paul Bunyan's axe, I thought it would be a good time to post this video of the last minute of the 2005 Minnesota game.

I love the announcer's description of Glen Mason as "apoplectic". That is classic. Let's hope tomorrow's game doesn't come down to the last minute.

Badgers Put Focus on Gophers QB

Profile of Cupito and his receivers. UW has given up only two passing TD's this year, both of them to Manningham of Michigan.

Lewd Antics Lead to Band's Probation.

I consider it progress when our football players are no longer on the front page of the newspaper for lewd and criminal behavior. This time the UW Band is in the limelight for semi-nude dancing, head shaving, and "sexualized banter." This all occured on the recent bus trip to Michigan. As a UW fan who attended the game and witnessed the band's performance, I can say that we were better than the Wolvernines in one category, and it wasn't football. Happy to see that band was able to perform despite off-the-field distractions. If only they could have modeled this technique in 2000 when the shoe box scandal kept UW off the list of national football champions.

One of Many Top 10 Rankings

Andy Katz ranks the Badgers #8 in his preseason rankings. Florida is a deserved #1 and Ohio St. checks in at #10.

Midnight Madness

As Midnight Madness kicks off tonight, Alando Tucker is recognized by Espn.com as one of college basketball's impact players. Fran Frischilla also likes Wisconsin's chances to make the Final Four if the breaks go Wisconsin's way.

Wisconsin has Pittsburgh at home this year, so Tucker and the boys will get a good look at one of the other impact players, 7-0 center Aaron Gray.

Street Fan?

A "street fan" got arrested for stalking Lloyd Carr. This guy needs to get another hobby. Imagine what this guy might have done to Carr if Michigan was not undefeated.

Receivers Must Give

An article in the JS this morning details the importance of blocking by UW wideouts the past couple of games. Crooks at TE is already an integral part of the running game, and it appears that Minton will assume the role Ahmad Merritt during the Dayne years. Why no mention of Hubbard in the article? Maybe Mason is taking it step-by-step with the multi-talented, but football ignorant receiver. First catch the ball, then hold onto it afterward, run, and oh yes, block while we pound the rock.

Purple Wig

Northwestern's dismal turnout at last Saturday's game allowed UW fans to hone in on the few brave souls willing to wear purple in the student section and elsewhere. One unfortunate student was arrested for succumbing to peer pressure and throwing a purple wig out of Camp Randall. So much for the days of passing bleachers and Bucky... Time to bring back the marshmallows!

The Daily Cardinal opined about the incident: The Purple Wig, 81,704 Fans, and One Arrest.

Breath of Fresh Air on Ice for UW

Badger Herald article on UW hockey's incoming freshman class of nine players: Breath of Fresh Air on Ice for UW.

Weekly Grind for Hill

JS article on what P.J. Hill does to prepare for each week's game given the pounding he faces with his bruising style of running: Weekly Grind for Hill.

Golphers

After going to last years game it's hard to imagine this game being a blow out. But on the other end I don't see the golphers rushing for 400 yards this year either. Badgers will keep the axe with PJ running wild for another 200 yard game. Sounds like hubbard is back practicing so stocco should have plenty of passing lanes to get him the ball. But it's still going to be a close one just because it's minn. Badgers win 28-23 and move up into the top 20 in the rankings.

Welcome!

The purpose of this blog is to create a center of information and conversation about all things Badger sports. We'll converse about upcoming games and seasons, share information about kickoff times and TV coverage, coordinate trips to games at home and on the road, speculate about possible recruits, and weather the highs and lows of our favorite teams.