First, before I write anything. I would like you, the readers, to know that, I have had a full night of drinking under my belt. Second, I would never...EVER switch side and become a Wisconsin Badger fan for whatever reason.
However, the iron is obviously hot on that side of the border, and the Badgers have some things going for them over our furry rodents on the west side of the Mississippi.
Where do I begin with this? Well, take a look at the coaches of the two programs. A lot was made over Bret Bielema's two point conversion attempt against the Gophers while up by 25 points late in the 4th quarter. Gopher coach Tim Brewster took exception to the attempt, which the Badgers didn't convert, and was about to put Bielema in a headlock at the 50 yard line.
Yes, it was probably wrong for Bielema to go for two in that situation. However, Brester's actions also rang true to the actions of a coach trying to keep his job. Note that every player on the Gopher sideline was in favor of what Brewster did. However, isn't it the players job to make sure they aren't in that situation? Just a thought.
While Brewster has floundered since his 7-1 start in 2008, the Gophers have free falled while the Badgers, who I once thought were riding on Barry Alverez's credentials, have continued to produce a solid, efficient program.
I once had an argument with a friend of mine that Bielema wasn't a great coach. Before tonight, he was not. The Badgers were always able to defeat the Austin Peays of the world, but never the traditional powers like Ohio State. I was proved wrong tonight.
You also have to look at the traditions at Wisconsin compared to the ones at Minnesota. The Badgers have many things. They have Jump Around at the end of the 3rd quarter. They have many great players in ALL sports. They can recruit guys at Florida. Finally, they have an amazing stadium.
Yeah, the Gophers built TCF Bank Stadium to compete with the Badgers and other Big Ten teams, but how magical and hostile is it? The fans of the Gophers don't show up until midway through the second quarter, if at all, and all they really have is Goldy Gopher spinning his head around and "That's another Golden Gopher...FIRST DOWN!" Hooray. Even the Gopher broadcaster, Dave Lee, makes me want to stick a power drill into my ears. It's that bad.
The Badgers have actually exceeded expectations in all sports as well. The Badgers defeated Ohio State, who was the #1 team in the nation. The Gophers haven't had a win like that since the early 2000's, when they beat #2 Penn State on a last second field goal. Things are not well in Dinkytown.
The Badgers have also been able to raid talent across the country. Yes, there's David Gilreath, the speedster from Minneapolis that Brewster couldn't convince to stay at home. However, the Badgers can also go down to Florida and convince someone that a cold Wisconsin winter is worth the price of playing for the Badgers.
The Gophers can't get their own guys to stay in the cold. Michael Floyd went to Notre Dame. Seantrel Henderson went to Miami. The guy they did get, Sam Maresh, had a string of bad luck and stupid decisions.
Seeing the sea of red gradually pour out onto the field, I felt saddened by knowing that my Gophers will never have anything close to that in the near future.
I guess if you can't beat them, j...OH HELL NO!!! NEVER!!!!
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