Indiana Hoosiers at Wisconsin Badgers (preview).
by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Oct 14, 2011 9:01 AM EDT
in Indiana Hoosiers Football
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2011 record: 5-0 (1-0)
2010 record: 11-2 (7-1), Big Ten Champions, lost to TCU in Rose Bowl
2011 Sagarin: 5 (IU is #120)
2010 Sagarin: 12 (IU was #98)
Coach: Bret Bielema (6th season, 54-16)
Series: Wisconsin leads 37-18-2
TV: noon, BTN
Blog: Bucky's Fifth Quarter
the strange thing about that game was how quickly it got out of hand. With 6 minutes remaining in the second quarter, IU trailed 17-10 and had the ball in Wisconsin territory. A missed field goal led to a long Wisconsin touchdown drive to make it 24-10 and to put the Hoosiers in a tough spot, and at that point, it seemed likely that the Hoosiers chance for victory was gone, but it would have difficult to predict that the Badgers would score another 59 points in the final 35 minutes of the game. Most games with scores that lopsided tend to be front-loaded, not back-loaded. Every single Wisconsin offensive possession ended in a score, all but two ended in touchdowns, and the Badgers returned an interception for a touchdown as well. It was a thorough thrashing, and I don't know if it's good or bad that IU returns to the scene of the humiliation so soon.
As good as the Badgers were last season, they have taken it to another level this season, thanks in large part to their new quarterback, NC State transfer Russell Wilson. The Badgers lost Scott Tolzien to graduation, but were fortunate to land Wilson, a three year starter for the Wolfpack, when NC State coach Tom O'Brien gave him an ultimatum about quitting baseball (NC State is 3-3-, 0-2 in the ACC). While they haven't played the toughest schedule, it's hard to overstate how dominant Wisconsin has been. The Badgers beat Nebraska 48-17 in their Big Ten opener, and that was Wisconsin's closed game of the season. They are in the top ten nationally in both total offense and total defense, averaging about 300 yards more in offense than they are allowing on defense. They are allowing just over ten points per game, and never more than 17. Their coach, Bret Bielema, is, to put it kindly, not known for taking his foot off the gas. Here are the Badgers' stats:
What's not to like? Wilson is completing nearly 75 percent of his passes and has 13 TDs to 1 interception. Montee Ball has 511 rushing yards and 13 (!) rushing touchdowns himself. They are very, very good.
The question then becomes, what should we expect from IU in this game? A win, frankly, seems more doubtful than in any game IU has played in the last...well, who knows? I expect and hope to see some fight from the Hoosiers throughout the game and no matter the score. While the current coaching staff wasn't around for last year's debacle, most of the players were. I simply hope there is enough pride to fight as hard as they can for as long as they can. In 1997, IU lost to Iowa 62-0, and completed what at the time was the biggest one-year turnaround in NCAA history by winning 14-7 the next year. I don't expect anything of the sort, but I expect a tougher but ultimately futile effort tomorrow. Wisconsin 45, Indiana 13.
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Bielma
I wonder if Bielma was watching when LaMichael James flubbered his elbow on a play in the 4th quarter with his team leading by more than 3 touchdowns. Karma is a bitch, coach. And I have to think that she has her eyes on your back.
by hoosierdaddynow on Oct 14, 2011 11:04 AM EDT reply actions
I don't know, man.
Karma or whatever, but we shouldn’t be mad at Wisconsin for “running up the score”, we should be mad that Indiana let them do it. That team didn’t have the conditioning, the coaching, the raw natural talent, the size, or the will (for 60 solid minutes, anyway) to stand up to the Wisconsins of the world, and it showed in the worst way. It’s not “running up the score” when Wisconsin sends a guy through a gap in the lines and there’s no one there to tackle him for miles. Doesn’t matter if it was Wisconsin’s first, second or third string, it’s just bad defense. Wisconsin did what good teams do, which is that you do whatever you can do to win, and you don’t stop until the gun sounds. I want Indiana to be able to hang 83 on someone, and yes I do want them to actually score 83. I want them to put up 100.
We can talk about “revenge” and I hope Indiana gets some, 2001-DiNardo-style. But remember: Wisconsin only contributed the L for that date on our season. IU supplied the actual score differential.
For God and country—Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
No greater love, no sweeter sin, than red hot brass and ice cold gin.
by LoneStarHoosier on Oct 14, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't disagree with you
That our team was more at fault for last year’s debacle. At least for the extent of the debacle. But I think that Bielma has run up some bad karma credit elsewhere, too. I completely agree with you that we should never bitch about having the score run up on us. But, at the same time, when that happens, it does make me yearn for some significant payback. Ideally it’s at our hands, but I would not be disappointed if karma shoved a boot up Bielma’s ass on her own.
by hoosierdaddynow on Oct 14, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed, wholeheartedly.
I keep hoping the team has some Inigo Montoya in them.
For God and country—Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo
No greater love, no sweeter sin, than red hot brass and ice cold gin.
by LoneStarHoosier on Oct 14, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
you can say that again...
If UW is up by 4 touchdowns or more and Russell Wilson is still playing, I’m gonna be ticked. Although with the B1G being down this year and Bielema doing his darndest to get the Badgers to the National Championship (and perhaps pad Wilson’s stats for Heisman as well), he’s probably gonna leave his foot on the gas, hopefully not as bad as last year.
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