Badgers end disappointing season with a thud
December 27, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
The Champs Sports Bowl marked Wisconsin’s final chance to take the sting off an extremely disappointing season.
After a 42-13 loss to Florida State, the Badgers’ pain won’t go away for some time.
As expected, Florida State was the faster and more athletic team. But speed wasn’t the main reason why Wisconsin got [...]
Sherer brings edge to Badgers’ huddle
December 26, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
AP Photo/Rob Carr
Wisconsin’s Dustin Sherer throws a pass against Cal Poly Mustangs in the Badgers 36-35 overtime win on Nov. 22.
Dustin Sherer doesn’t understand why his camouflage hat and Lynyrd Skynyrd T-shirt drew so much attention after he was named Wisconsin’s starting quarterback midway through the season.
Badgers head coach Bret Bielema [...]
Big Ten lunch links: Maybin’s rapid rise
December 26, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Here’s your post-Christmas reading list.
Aaron Maybin wasn’t a starter heading into the season. Now the Penn State star defensive end is contemplating a jump to the NFL, Bernard Fernandez writes in the Philadelphia Daily News.
There’s increasing doubt about Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema, but his boss continues to be in his [...]
What to watch in the first three Big Ten bowls
December 24, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
After a lengthy hiatus, What to Watch is back as we take a look at the first three Big Ten bowl games.
Champs Sports — Wisconsin vs. Florida State, Dec. 27
Valero Alamo — Northwestern vs. Missouri, Dec. 29
Insight — Minnesota vs. Kansas, Dec. 31
Here are some things to keep an eye on [...]
The Big Ten has a rough bowl season ahead
December 23, 2008
The Big Ten Bloggers are currently entering their picks for bowl season, and it’s not pretty. In only one instance, the Big Ten team is favored to win. We have our work cut out for us, and as a conference, we could be hurting by the end of the BCS bowls. Let’s take a look [...]
Filling out the Top 10 Big Ten games of 2008
December 22, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
The response has been excellent for my list of the top five Big Ten games this season, so I’ve decided to extend the rundown to 10. Many of you made compelling arguments for games that should have been included in the top five, but I’m comfortable with my list.
I do think [...]
Casillas and two others to miss Wisconsin’s bowl
December 21, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Wisconsin’s defense suffered a pretty significant blow when head coach Bret Bielema announced after Saturday’s practice that starting weak-side linebacker Jonathan Casillas and two other players would not travel to the Champs Sports Bowl.
Casillas underwent surgery last week after battling knee problems all season. Though the two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten [...]
Big Ten lunch links: Alvarez backs Bielema
December 19, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
There’s another mailbag coming up later today, along with a feature on Michigan State wide receiver Blair White. The blog will be pretty light this weekend since the Big Ten bowl season doesn’t kick off until Dec. 27 (Champs Sports Bowl vs. Florida State).
Enjoy the early bowls and I’ll be back [...]
Reviewing my preseason Top 25 (things to watch)
December 18, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
It’s always fun at this time of year to look back at preseason thoughts and predictions. In August, I outlined 25 items I wanted to see during the Big Ten season. Several of them came true, others didn’t and some materialized in different ways.
Here’s a look back at the list to [...]
Wisconsin Badgers season recap
December 16, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Wisconsin made no secret about its chief goal for the 2008 season. As one of only three FBS teams to have reached January bowl games in each of the last four years, the Badgers’ next step was obvious.
BCS or bust.
Unfortunately for Bret Bielema’s team, it turned out to be the latter. [...]