Bdgrfan

Frankly, I just don't buy this. I was there from about 3 pm to 1 am, and I heard maybe one or two things said to Nebraska fans that were over the line, and I also heard another UW fan tell that person to dial it down. Unless, of course, it was you being obnoxious and other fans responding to that. And I talked with a lot of Nebraska fans and every one of them was fun to talk to. There was some trash-talking, but that usually ended with the two people laughing and telling each other to enjoy the game. And after the game every UW fan I saw was so thrilled about the game they were far more interested in celebrating than abusing opposing fans. Yes. I just completely made this entire thing up. It was me and 3 friends walking back. We weren't even talking to each other. I would look down every time some Badger fans walked by after the 54th time someone yelled profanities at me. Just because you didn't witness it doesn't mean it didn't happen. What do I have to gain by making up some story? If you read my OP on the matter, I stated I actually rooted for UW prior to this game. If they would have beaten us by 100, I would have still been rooting for them to win every game here on out (except any potential rematch w/Neb), but being harassed by almost every passer by is amazing to me and made me have zero respect for UW. It was that bad IMO. Well, I'm sorry if you had a bad experience, and I say that because I genuinely enjoy interacting with opposing fans. I'm just saying I saw little bad behavior before, during or after. I was mostly on the monroe street side though, and reading some of these other posts it sounds like things may have been a bit different on the regent street side where the students are. And I rarely will defend them because they p*ss me off too (though generally for other reasons). If you ever do come back for a game, I'd suggest hanging out on that side with the adults and I'd bet its a much better experience.

We've definitely had better defenses. But I think they're kind of typical in that they get better as the game goes along. The philosophy is always bend-don't break, force teams to have to put together long drives and often enough you get a sack or a penalty or some such and they have to punt. They also benefit from the offense keeping them on the sideline and eventually forcing the other team to have to get too aggressive because they're trailing. But I do think they're very sound fundamentally and that'll make up for a lot of other shortcomings.

Don't know if you saw this down there, but after the game senior FS Anthony Henry (#7, had the second pick) said this was the simplest defensive game plan UW has ever had in his time here. They had 4 plays, and its because they were just focused on stopping Martinez on the ground. It's just too easy to defend when a team is that reliant on one thing, And I think you guys are gonna teach that to Ohio State next week, too. Bauserman/Miller doesn't matter, your D is gonna shut them down completely.

Frankly, I just don't buy this. I was there from about 3 pm to 1 am, and I heard maybe one or two things said to Nebraska fans that were over the line, and I also heard another UW fan tell that person to dial it down. Unless, of course, it was you being obnoxious and other fans responding to that. And I talked with a lot of Nebraska fans and every one of them was fun to talk to. There was some trash-talking, but that usually ended with the two people laughing and telling each other to enjoy the game. And after the game every UW fan I saw was so thrilled about the game they were far more interested in celebrating than abusing opposing fans.

Frankly, I thought it was embarassing because theres a bunch of B1G schools that are just pathetic, But then again it was just the idiot students and it lasted about 10 seconds. I think part of it is this is the first time UW has ever really been a legit NC contender and some people don't know how to handle it.

I agree-we did some very GOOD things last night. We had Wisconsin rattled. They saw that we came to play. Then...the nightmare began. We became pass happy and our defense went flat. Ok...so that's behind us. What can we do now? I, for one, would like to see Coach Beck become dedicated to the run. It is Martinez strength. It was funny-watching Wisconsin play last night reminded me of the great Nebraska teams of the 90's. I read somewhere this past week that Barry Alveraz (AD for Wisc.-former NU player in the '60's) said that when he was a coach for Wisc. he wanted to model his team after the Huskers. Well, he did! We were playing that way in the first quarter why in the world did we stop?? That is what I just don't understand. Rattled? I didn't see the slightest indication of that. I saw UW answer Neb's first score with a 91-yard drive on the next posession, and again after Neb made it 14-7. I saw UW make the necessary defensive adjustments. I saw UW's offense grind down the Huskers D. Watch the fourth quarter and notice who was delivering the blows....

I was there last night and I really enjoyed all the Huskers fans I talked to. I didn't see a single thing that I would consider a negative interaction between UW and Neb fans. A little trash-talking? Sure, but nothing that wasn't in the spirit of fun. And it was generally followed by respectful and serious talk about the game, the teams, the campuses, etc. And to be honest, I always asked them how they were enjoying the trip, and no one had a bad word to say. About Madison and the people hear anyway. About the Huskers is a different story. Yes, UW students have vulgar chants. They've been a tradition for decades now. Those of us who go every week just kind of roll our eyes and ignore it. And as others already said, it's all internally directed and has nothing to do with opposing fans. It's a remnant of the days when the Badgers sucked and students had to entertain themselves during the game. It became tradition. There's been efforts to rein it in over the years, with the predictable effect of increasing it. And if you were there, the ES-FU, over-rated etc chants were entirely confined to the student section. I've never gone to a road game in the Big Ten or a bowl and not run across some. I'm absolutely sure I'll run across some if I head down to Lincoln next year. But it's a little silly to judge an entire fan base of 80,000 on one or two anecdotes.

It's ok guys, because I do. Have at it. Uhh... they lost to Sacramento State. Whatever point you were trying to make is now invalid. Just sayin'... Only point was it's awfully hard to argue that it looked like the Beavs were "winning," as the one poster asserted. It wasn't even close. okay, let me be a little more clear: I watched that game cuz it was the 1st one on espn in Denver around noon or whatever. As I was looking to see what wilson was made of, I noticed that OS was making some plays, moving the ball, forcing W to punt...whatever. I flipped away for a few minutes expecting to come back to a 14-0, 17-3 game. OS was driving and it wad only like 7-0... Then OS throws a pick and it was over pretty muc over from that point. I watched the rest of the game, and let's just say I thought, "okay, W won big..but not impressively, mostly because OS was not that good." basically, we have been tested. Even if it's by 'lesser' opponents. That says we know what our pulse is like in a close game. Do you? Not this year. But like I said, just about everyone who sees significant playing time this season also did last year, so really, it's not something I see as a significant issue. What I don't know, and what is IMHO the biggest issue in the game, is how anyone this side of Alabama or LSU significantly slows down the UW offense. I haven't missed a game in going on 20 years, and this could well be the best offense UW has ever had, and that includes last year's version that set a school record of 41.5 ppg and the Dayne years, too. They just do everything well, and every player on the field is a weapon. Ball and White are as good a backfield tandem as anyone out there. Wilson has been really, really good, poised, making good decisions, throwing with accuracy, devasting when he extends plays with his feet. Ewing is a superior blocker at FB and chips in a few receptions. Pederson at TE continues the great tradition UW has there from Owen Daniels to Travis Beckum to Lance Kendricks. WRs are perhaps unspectacular but just make plays. Nebraska will score its points. I just don't think it'll score enough.

It's ok guys, because I do. Have at it. Uhh... they lost to Sacramento State. Whatever point you were trying to make is now invalid. Just sayin'... Only point was it's awfully hard to argue that it looked like the Beavs were "winning," as the one poster asserted. It wasn't even close.

again, we're in agreement. i always think NU will win and i think they have a puncher's chance. i do think wiscy has a better product right now. i also have had NU break my heart a lot in the past decade. i was so amped for the last two va. tech games as our return to prominence. i was so amped when NU would start to raise in the polls and then take two steps background. i am entering this saturday with cautious optimism, but i am sure no matter how well we play, if we lose my heart will still hurt. i am trying to chalk this up as a loss, but it goes against every fiber of my being. i hope we play well and show some promise. i hope it is close. 'h', 'e', double hockey sticks, i hope we win. but i am excited to see what our team has, and i hope for a rematch later this year. i am excited for this game because it will teach us a lot about NU. best of luck to both teams, hope we see some good football. The joy, and the curse, of college football. It's why we drink.

Yes, we are that fast. T-Mart, Aaron Green, Abdullah, Heard, Turner, and Bell all have potential to take it to the house any time that they touch the ball. And Rexy is probably fast enough too. Yes, we are that much better with all 3 levels completely healthy. Probably more importantly, being healthy in the secondary. Having a lock-down corner out there is what Bo's defenses are based around. With Dennard back there, our blitz packages get a whole lot more interesting. Yes, Wisconsin's schedule was piss poor. Their opponents have, combined, two wins against FBS teams, with those two teams being Hawaii(2-2 with a loss to Washington) and Army(1-3). Yes, ours was tougher. I'm not going to argue that we have had a tough schedule by any means, because we have had a pretty easy schedule too. But Washington is head-over heals better than anyone that they have played. I would even say that Fresno and Wyoming are better than anyone that they have played. I keep seeing these same arguments. I have to say, no disrespect intended, that it's starting to strike me as an attempt to convince yourselves. 1) Nebraska's speed on offense, at best, is only marginally better than UW's. Wilson, Ball, White, Toon, Abrederis, Lewis, Gordon, Doe all have excellent speed and UW's defense sees these guys every day in practice. I agree that defensively, UW's speed at LB is a concern. But Nebraska better score on their big plays because speed matters a lot less in the red zone, and UW tends to -- more than most -- get a lot tougher to move the ball against on a short field. I'd be more worried about it if Martinez wasn't such a marginal passer because I'll take my chances with UW's run defense in the red zone. The question is, is that advantage going to be enough to overcome a UW offense that has no weakness? Obviously, Nebraska is a much better defensive unit that what the Badgers have seen so far from their opponents, but then again, Washington and Fresno didn't have a lot of trouble moving the ball against Nebraska and UW is a much better offense than either of those, too. 2) The Oregon State team you thought was "winning" managed all of 23 yards rushing, 1.0 yards per attempt. 3) Yes, UW's schedule was piss poor. And Nebraska's was only a little better. Washington is better than Oregon State, clearly, but is that really what you're hanging your hat on? Head-over heels better? Really? Are you trying to convince yourselves that the Huskers' struggles against those teams relative to UW's routs was the result of some yawning chasm in SOS? 4) And this is just a tip: I wouldn't read too much into what UNLV did in the first half. Borland was playing his first game at MLB, and they came in running the pistol, which UW did not expect and had not prepared for. So he struggled, and UW scored so fast the D didn't have a chance to make adjustments on the sideline in the first half before they were heading back to the field. Third quarter was a better read on that game, and the Badgers shut them down until the starters left the game toward the end of the quarter. UW's defense averages 8.5 ppg, but that's misleading too: only 13 points have been scored against the starters. The other 21 came in garbage time. And they are the only team in the country to shut out a BCS opponent. 5) Most of the players UW is gonna put on the field are plenty tested. With one or two exceptions, they all were either starters or saw significant time last year on a team that went to the Rose Bowl, beat Ohio State in prime time, etc. These guys have a blue collar work ethic and have been aiming toward this game for a long time. If you honestly expect them to panic when the pads start popping, I think you're going to be disappointed. i agree with the bold part. we keep saying things like, "we have been holding back our playbook" or "if we improve by then we should be fine". but there is no reason to believe that wiscy won't do the same, or they are not holding back. i think we can win, not sure we will. hopefully we play a good game and show our potential. just, hopefully it is a good game. Totally agree. I see it kind of the same way I saw our games against Ohio State the past two years. In both cases, UW beat them down-in and down-out. But it's close enough that a couple big plays can swing it one way or the other. Two years ago, UW dominated them and lost thanks to a couple kick returns. Last year, UW had the kick return and won. I like UW as the better overall team, but two or three plays in this game are probably gonna determine it and each have playmakers who can turn them in.

Yes, we are that fast. T-Mart, Aaron Green, Abdullah, Heard, Turner, and Bell all have potential to take it to the house any time that they touch the ball. And Rexy is probably fast enough too. Yes, we are that much better with all 3 levels completely healthy. Probably more importantly, being healthy in the secondary. Having a lock-down corner out there is what Bo's defenses are based around. With Dennard back there, our blitz packages get a whole lot more interesting. Yes, Wisconsin's schedule was piss poor. Their opponents have, combined, two wins against FBS teams, with those two teams being Hawaii(2-2 with a loss to Washington) and Army(1-3). Yes, ours was tougher. I'm not going to argue that we have had a tough schedule by any means, because we have had a pretty easy schedule too. But Washington is head-over heals better than anyone that they have played. I would even say that Fresno and Wyoming are better than anyone that they have played. I keep seeing these same arguments. I have to say, no disrespect intended, that it's starting to strike me as an attempt to convince yourselves. 1) Nebraska's speed on offense, at best, is only marginally better than UW's. Wilson, Ball, White, Toon, Abrederis, Lewis, Gordon, Doe all have excellent speed and UW's defense sees these guys every day in practice. I agree that defensively, UW's speed at LB is a concern. But Nebraska better score on their big plays because speed matters a lot less in the red zone, and UW tends to -- more than most -- get a lot tougher to move the ball against on a short field. I'd be more worried about it if Martinez wasn't such a marginal passer because I'll take my chances with UW's run defense in the red zone. The question is, is that advantage going to be enough to overcome a UW offense that has no weakness? Obviously, Nebraska is a much better defensive unit that what the Badgers have seen so far from their opponents, but then again, Washington and Fresno didn't have a lot of trouble moving the ball against Nebraska and UW is a much better offense than either of those, too. 2) The Oregon State team you thought was "winning" managed all of 23 yards rushing, 1.0 yards per attempt. 3) Yes, UW's schedule was piss poor. And Nebraska's was only a little better. Washington is better than Oregon State, clearly, but is that really what you're hanging your hat on? Head-over heels better? Really? Are you trying to convince yourselves that the Huskers' struggles against those teams relative to UW's routs was the result of some yawning chasm in SOS? 4) And this is just a tip: I wouldn't read too much into what UNLV did in the first half. Borland was playing his first game at MLB, and they came in running the pistol, which UW did not expect and had not prepared for. So he struggled, and UW scored so fast the D didn't have a chance to make adjustments on the sideline in the first half before they were heading back to the field. Third quarter was a better read on that game, and the Badgers shut them down until the starters left the game toward the end of the quarter. UW's defense averages 8.5 ppg, but that's misleading too: only 13 points have been scored against the starters. The other 21 came in garbage time. And they are the only team in the country to shut out a BCS opponent. 5) Most of the players UW is gonna put on the field are plenty tested. With one or two exceptions, they all were either starters or saw significant time last year on a team that went to the Rose Bowl, beat Ohio State in prime time, etc. These guys have a blue collar work ethic and have been aiming toward this game for a long time. If you honestly expect them to panic when the pads start popping, I think you're going to be disappointed.

Two cents from someone whos watched all UW's games and two Nebraska games: Key matchups: Dennard vs. Toon: 5'10 corner vs. 6'3 receiver. Toon has been having the kind of season UW fans have been hoping for since he got here. Can Dennard shut him down or does Toon win the jump balls? On the other side, Corey Cooper had some problems last week. UW OLBs/DEs vs. Martinez: The Badgers don't have great speed here, although DEs Nzegwu and Gilbert are good athletes and OLBs Taylor and Claxton are solid. Can they consistently turn Martinez in or can he regularly get to the corner and gash UW like UNLV did? Martinez is a hell of a weapon and has the ability to make it a long night for UW's defenders. Crick and Co. vs. Wilson: Wilson has been amazing, No. 2 in the nation in completion percentage, throwing extremely well on the run, avoiding pressure and turning in some nice runs. Can Nebraska's D-line 1) get some kind of consistent pressure on him, while 2) holding their rushing lanes so he can't escape and hurt the Huskers with his legs? Special teams: UW kicker Alec Lerner has booted 3 kickoffs OB -- this plus Ameer Abdullah give Nebraska a decided advantage here. Can UW avoid a big breakdown? It's true UW has faced poor competition to this point, but they've done exactly what an outstanding team should do to inferior opponents. Both teams have gotten better as the season has gone along. Both teams have kept things pretty vanilla thus far but will pull out the stops Saturday. I think in the end, UW just has too many offensive weapons and Wilson has been so good in making use of them. The Badgers can run inside and out, stretch the field, their O-line are brutes who make a living grinding down a defense through the course of a game, but they can also get out and pull. And if the defense focuses too much on stopping the run, the play-action pass becomes devastating. Not sure 30 is gonna do it, as the previous poster suggested. Offensively, Nebraska is gonna score but I think they're gonna have to work harder for it, ie., put together longer drives as opposed to living off big plays. Nebraska can not let UW get ahead by much because I don't think Martinez can pass the Huskers back in the game. I think their best hope is to win the turnover battle and maybe get a kick/punt return TD. But if the Badgers don't shoot themselves in the foot too often, I see something along the lines of UW 38, Nebraska 27. Can't wait to see it play out.

Good analysis of the conference. We'll see what happens Saturday. I keep reading about how there's such a big speed difference. Hear that all the time in the B1G but it seems to be more perception than reality. Remember two Wisconsin DBs running down the ASU kick returner last year? Heard it two years ago leading up to the Champps Sports Bowl against Miami and UW crushed them. And a couple years before that when UW smoked Arkansas with Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in the Cap One Bowl. Personally, I'm happy to have a program like Nebraska in the conference. Good, traditionally strong program.

On such things are great rivalries built.