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And so the B1G Conference Season begins. I'd say with a bang, but with the way the B1G has been playing so far in the non-con, it's more like the sound your dog makes when he passes gas.
So it's finally here. Our chance to avenge the Bas Rutten style beat-down/ass-beating we suffered in Camp Randall last year. On paper, this one looks pretty cut and dry. But paper and statistics lie sometimes. Throw in the inconsistent nature of the Huskers' play in big games, the emotion of TO's retirement announcement yesterday and sprinkle in the whole primetime national TV audience thing, and this one feels more like a "pick-em" to me. Just tough to say how things are going to shake out on Saturday.
Editor's Note: Sorry for the lateness in getting this article up boys and girls. I had intended to have it up no later than Wednesday, but due to the fact that I was trying to dick with the new layout and all kinds of pretty charts and tables instead of just writing it...I failed. So from now on, your favorite post of the week will be up on time. I would like to give massive props to Peter Bean over at Burnt Orange Nation for allowing me to use a new template that I spent the better part of two days messing with.
Game 5: University of Wisconsin Badgers
Saturday, September 29th, 2012 | 7:00 PM CT
Memorial Stadium | Lincoln, NE
Television: ABC/ESPN2
Announcers: Play-by-Play - Brad Nessler, Color Commentator - Todd Blackledge
Sideline Reporter - Holly Rowe
NOTE: This is a really solid, solid crew for our game. Plus, I like Nessler's play-by-play much better than I do Brent Mush-berger
Wisconsin Badgers Blog: Bucky's 5th Quarter
Wisconsin Season Stats at CFBstats.com
Bleacher Report: What Wisconsin Needs to Do...
Husker Mike's Pre-Season and Game Preview
ESPN: Montee Ball Cleared to Play Saturday
David Gilbert Not Starting Against Nebraska (will be skipping rocks instead with Coach Bielema)
Last Week: Defeated UTEP Miners 37 - 26
Wisconsin Badgers Coaches and Personnel
Head Coach: Brett Bielema, 7th Season. Record: 63 - 20
Offensive Coordinator: Matt Canada
Defensive Coordinator: Chris Ash
This is not your 2011 Wisconsin coaching staff that pulled a Sam Quentin-esque style train on us last year in Madison. The carousel was alive and well in Madison in the off-season, poaching six coaches from their staff. The results on the field thus far (offensively) from the team indicate that they have certainly suffered through the changes.
Offensive Leaders:
RB - Montee Ball, SR. Last Week: 9 attempts, 40 yds, 1 TD
You all know who Montee Ball is. All reports indicate that he will be ready to play on Saturday, but I suspect that it will be a decision that is made closer to game time. He's suffered his second concussion in two months last week in the UTEP game. He's averaging just under 4 YPC and injuries aside, still has to be considered a candidate in the Heisman race. Saturday night will go a long way to determining if he stays in the race or drops out. If he doesn't play, expect to see a large dose of James White to take the pressure off of Stave.
Defensive Leaders:
LB - Chris Borland, SR. Last Week: 12 Tkls, 8 Solo, 4 Asst, 3.5 TFL
This guy is going to be glued to Rex and Abdullah for the game. He's a bad, bad man and I hope Beck has some real kung-fu shit ready to deal with this guy. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see him running his ass sideline to sideline trying to keep up with our speed on offense.