badgers007

Was there, too. Don't think I noticed close to the number you're insinuating, but I also didn't spend much time looking around or taking pictures.

I graduated from UW-Madison within the last five years, so I should clarify that I don't think it's odd that the high-percentage of arrests is a result of underage alcohol consumption. I find it odd that it's, at all, considered an arrest.

Oddly, 121 (88.3%) of those 137 arrests were for underage alcohol consumption.

Forgot about this myself. Wisconsin's rushing attack was a disaster in 2015 after Corey Clement's hernia injury. Joel Stave ended that season with most single-season pass attempts in school history. Hard to believe that team was able to win 10 games.

It will be difficult for Nebraska to break the mold as Wisconsin's rival. Not impossible, or anything, because it will naturally occur if the Huskers can challenge Wisconsin for supremacy in the West. For now, however, Minnesota is Wisconsin's rival. Although there isn't much competition on the field between the two (Wisconsin has won 14 in a row and 21 of last 23), there is a crossover between the two states that make the two natural rivals in more ways than just sports. Madison and Minneapolis are separated by just four hours. There is tuition reciprocity between the two universities, meaning in-state tuition applies for Minnesota HS students that go to UW-Madison and Wisconsin HS students that go to UMN-Twin Cities. A lot of trash talk between both student bodies and alumni, many of whom know each other. As an example, I went to HS in Madison and, eventually, went on to graduate from Wisconsin. A lot of my HS friends that did not want to attend Madison went across the border to Minnesota. Number of "residents" in each state work in the other. A lot of Minnesota people working at Epic in Madison and in Milwaukee. Likewise, a ton of Wisconsin alumni live and work in Minneapolis/St. Paul. TCF usually becomes something of a "Camp Randall North." Culturally and geographically, both states are blue-collar, much of the population is of German and Scandinavian descent, and the immense amount of lakes really gives way to similar lifestyles. Buckyville loves to make fun of Minnesota and P.J. Fleck. The 247 board is a bit more laid-back when it comes to making fun of Minnesota, but it's there.

"there weren't a slew of key injuries..." ^ Interesting thoughts from the author, Pete Fiutak. Like every team in the country, Wisconsin did face key injuries. Quintez Cephus, Wisconsin's best receiver, saw his season end after a broken leg. Jazz Peavy, Wisconsin's leading receiver in 2016, was MIA after Wisconsin's win versus Northwestern. He didn't play the rest of the season due to personal reasons. Jack Cichy, one of the best LBs in the conference, tore his ACL during fall camp and missed the entire season. Zack Baun, projected to be one of Wisconsin's starting OLBs, hurt his foot during fall camp and missed the entire season. Troy Fumagalli, one of the best TEs in the conference, missed multiple games in 2017 and was hobbled most of the season. D'Cota Dixon, an All-Conference performer at SS, missed three full games in 2017 and only saw a couple snaps in a couple other games due to a shoulder injury. He had surgery this off-season.

For reference, I did outline Wisconsin's 2018 + 2019 recruiting class directly above the post you quoted. Wisconsin fans are not freaking over a "40ish ranked" 2018 class. Context matters and Wisconsin had a smaller class (20 signees) compared to Minnesota (26 signees), for example. Though Minnesota is "ranked" higher, their average rating, per 247, remains lower than Wisconsin, which, I believe, had its third-highest rated class in the 247 era. As it stands, only Nebraska has a higher average rating than Wisconsin in the B1G West, which is nothing new. Paul Chryst and his staff have seen an uptick in recruiting for 2019. Per 247, Wisconsin has six four-star commits and, certainly, it helps having a coaching staff (HC, OC, DC) that all played at Wisconsin. In addition to stability, they understand the foundation of which Wisconsin was built (I'll let Iowa and Nebraska fans argue over that).

This is true. Plenty of Wisconsin kids do not attend national/regional camps and end-up earning their offer at Wisconsin's camp in the summer. In addition to that, and this holds true for a number of northern states, many of the "under-recruited" prospects haven't come close to hitting their peak, physically. Wisconsin has taken a number of these types, whether it be scholarship or walk-on, and turned them into productive college/NFL players.

Context matters, of course. Wisconsin is running on a smaller class, which does not help its place nationally, especially when schools like Minnesota are signing 26 kids, but this is still one of the higher-rated classes (third, if I am not mistaken) Wisconsin has signed in the 247 era. It's a quality class, top-to-bottom, and Wisconsin is starting to reap the benefits of having a coaching staff that played at Wisconsin. They're off to an extremely strong start in 2019 with six commits rated a four-star by 247. They're in strong position with two more (Bryce Benhart and Moses Douglass).

Don't know that it's an FU to Wisconsin. They backed-off quickly once T.J. Edwards got his draft grade back (waited until after Orange Bowl to announce that he was coming back). With one scholarship left, which would have been two had Edwards left, Wisconsin wasn't going to use it on another ILB. Good pick-up for Nebraska, though. Will Honas is going to be a good one.

Tim Tibesar, the referenced coach that left for Oregon State, coached Wisconsin's OLBs. His departure won't swing things one way or another. Bob Bostad coaches ILBs.

If it wasn't a big game, I wouldn't be making the 8-9 hour drive from the Windy City! Excited to experience Memorial Stadium.

Not me who posted, but can I chime-in and ask if the following is fair? Wisconsin has been, nearly, an annual participant in the B1G Championship Game. They've been there four out of the six years of its existence. Have to imagine the option starts being reconsidered if Nebraska can steal a couple trips over the next three or four years. I don't know if beating Wisconsin is enough if the Badgers continues to represent the West in the B1G Championship Game. Wisconsin and Northwestern have played near evenly head-to-head for the last decade, though the two programs' on-field success is still, relatively, far apart. Am I looking at this too simplistically?

After I had posted, I looked back at your post and wondered if it was sarcasm. I'm not so much in-tune with the Huskers to know what is or isn't.

Of course, one has to consider that Wisconsin has only allowed four passing touchdowns and just 5.5 yards/attempt. It is difficult to move the ball in the air against Wisconsin, but there have been a couple moments of communication lapse (i.e. Derrick Tindal wasn't able to communicate man-coverage to Nick Nelson before the snap against FAU, which led to a long touchdown). Can't have that happen on Saturday against a player like Stanley Morgan.

Alex Hornibrook ranks No. 6 nationally in yards/attempt (10.0), No. 10 in yards/completion (14.97), and has completed several passes of 20+ yards.

Sounding like Barry's day of game? Any breweries in the area? I see Boiler Brewing, but nothing else.

Fuentes His last name is Fuente, FWIW.

Think we're partial to both a "rowdier" and "relaxed" crowd, so good to know there are options in close proximity to one another.

Is Embassy Suites an organized event or do they just open their lot for people to park/tailgate? Thanks for seating recommendations. Wisconsin's allotment is sold out, but if we found tickets in the visitor sections in NE or SW part of the stadium, are those OK for viewing?

Won't be going back to Madison, but I can drop him at Kirkwood in Chicago.

Mentioned in the off-season that I would be stopping back for some suggestions as we get closer to Wisconsin @ Nebraska on October 7th. I will be driving from Chicago. We're likely to get to the hotel around 3:00pm on Friday. In our mid-20's and looking for suggestions regarding food, bars, pregame spots / tailgates, etc. For Friday, where would you suggest to eat and grab some craft beer before going out at night? I know Lincoln has Hopcat, and there's also one in Chicago and Madison, but how is Boiler Brewing and Longwell's? Any other suggestions for places with quality beer and bar food? Is there a main strip of bars to go out at night? Game-time hasn't been announced, but what should we look to do on Saturday with respect to bars and tailgating? Lastly, for tickets/seating in Memorial Stadium, are there sections worth avoiding due to obstructed views, etc.? Thanks in advance!

Was set to be a key reserve behind Leon Jacobs at OLB. Starting backers are still very good, but depth is now becoming an issue with Zack Baun and Jack Cichy out for the year. This now marks two years in a row with injuries to the LB unit. Cichy, T.J. Edwards, Vince Biegel, and Chris Orr all missed significant time in 2016.

(1) Does this even matter? (2) Nebraska has a great program, as does Wisconsin. Both teams rank No. 15 and No. 16 nationally, in terms of value, and each home stadium is routinely among the most-attended in the country. Both programs are fortunate to have large Athletic Departments, with Wisconsin ranking No. 11 (No. 3 B1G) in Total Revenue and Nebraska ranking No. 22 (No. 8 B1G).

Never accused anyone of saying Wisconsin "isn't good" or "hasn't earned their place." I would just like to gain more clarity as to why a couple posters here believe coaching changes will catch-up with Wisconsin. In a state of, what seemed like, constant coaching turnover, Wisconsin was able to navigate season-after-season of winning football, having won 10+ games six times in the last eight seasons. Now that there is stability, there is a school of thought that seems convinced of descent in a West Division that is still, relatively, average.