Badgers Host Gophers to Open Big Ten Play

The University of Wisconsin Basketball team opens conference play tonight against the University of Minnesota. The Gophers come to Madison ranked 13th with an 11-1 record.  Minnesota's only stumble this year came against Virginia during the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.  The Gophers are lead by Blake Hoffarber, best known for his seat of the pants buzzer beater during the 2005 Minnesota State Basketball Tournament.   The Badgers come into tonight's game ranked 24 in the country, their first appearance in the top 25 since the first weeks of the season.  Tip is set for 6:00 cst at the Kohl Center.

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Check out this story by Tom Keegan (Lawrence World-Journal) about Mark Mangino being a good fit for Nebraska's offense.  Interesting thought at the very least.  Could the NU sideline be wide enough for the fiery Mangino and Bo Pelini at the same time?

Would Mangino be a good pick if Watson leaves?  Your thoughts?

Alfonzo Dennard returning for senior year

Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard stated on Sunday that he would stay in school for his senior year instead of applying for the NFL draft.  “It's done,” he said. “I'm going to stay.”

This is good news to Huskers fans as Dennard has proven to be a lock down corner in the Nebraska secondary.  With Prince Amukamara's graduation this year, Dennard will be needed to take over this leadership role.

Perhaps Dennard made his decision after watching both Ndamukong Suh and Amukamara increase their draft stock in their senior year.  Baring injury, I think you will see just that, and Dennard might even creep into the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.

Do the Huskers need a win in the Holiday Bowl for the 2010 season to be successful?

From ESPN.com

The Huskers face the Huskies on Tuesday night in the Holiday Bowl.  For the Huskers it's a chance to finish a season with at least 11 wins for the first time since 2001.  The Huskies are looking to revenge an embarrassing loss to the Big Red in September, a game Nebraska dominated 56-21.  Both teams would benefit more from a win then a loss to end the season.  According to Accuscore, Nebraska will dominate the Huskies for the second time this season.  My prediction: Nebraska 40 Washington 17

What do you think the score will be?  Thanks for checking out Red vs Red        

Alex Henery, Prince Amukamara, Gabe Carimi, and John Moffitt named to 2010 AP All-America team

Nebraska Husker football players K Alex Henery and CB Prince Amukamara were named to the 2010 AP All-American team.   The Wisconsin Badgers added a pair of players to the team in OL Gabe Carimi and OL John Moffitt.  It is a much deserved honor for each of these young men.

Sick of the BCS??

If you're sick of the BCS here are two great virtual playoff generators worth checking out.

Ultimate College Football Playoff

College Football Playoff Simulator


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Badgers Go for Sweep of Wisconsin Tonight

As it stands now Wisconsin leads Green Bay 33-21 at halftime.  If they can finish off with a win they will have defeated every other Division 1 Basketball program in the state of Wisconsin.  The Badgers defeated Milwaukee on December 8th, 61-40 and won at Marquette on Saturday, 69-64.  Green Bay defeated the Badgers 88-84 last year in Green Bay.  Wisconsin is also seeking their fifth straight win after a disappointing 58-51  loss to Notre Dame in the final of the Old Spice Classic, a game which they were leading by 11 late in the second half.

Sparty = Bitter

Michigan State fans are apparently still bitter, and honestly I don't blame them. Billboards have popped up around Detroit  displaying the final score from Wisconsin v Michigan State contest earlier this year, the only blemish on their 11-1 record this year.  Wisconsin received the Rose Bowl bid based on their standing in the BCS despite the fact that Michigan State holds the head to head tiebreaker.

New Big Ten Divisions and Trophies Announced Today

The division names for the revamped Big Ten were announced earlier today, and since then sports talk radio, Twitter, and message boards have been lit up with every self proclaimed expert's response, and it hasn't been good.  To be honest, I don't really know how I feel about "Legends" and "Leaders", it could have been worse.  Anything is better than Bo and Woody or Schembechler and Hayes.  Legends and Leaders are unique, and certainly more creative than "North South" or even "Atlantic & Coastal."

Big Ten announces new division names and logo, Nebraska in the Legends

Jim Delany from the Big Ten conference has announced the two division names and unveiled the new logo for the conference.  The divisions will be Legends and Leaders.    

Legends:

Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern.

Leaders:

Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin

Like the names?  Let me know you thoughts.

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I just don't buy it

Rumor mill is running overtime producing the story Bo Pelini is considering leaving Nebraska.  I don't buy it.  The guy is looking for a national championship and he's closer now than every before.  He was probably 8-10 plays from being undefeated this year.  For three years in-a-row his defense has gotten better and with a little more focus on the offense, this team will be pretty damn good, even in the Big Ten.

Bo could easily squash the rumor by saying he's staying, but he hasn't.  I'm not sure what that says.  Reportedly he was on an in-home recruiting visit yesterday.  Pretty hard to believe he was recruiting for anywhere other than Nebraska.

What are your thoughts?

Red vs Red Final ATS Pickem Standings

Congrats are due to Bugeater for winning the final week of our pickem challenge and finishing with a two week winning streak.  Bugeater's comeback effort, valiant as it was, did fall one game short.  The Badger claims the crown in the inaugural Red vs Red Pickem Challenge.  My prize,..... nothing.  A huge thank you to Eddie for being our final guest picker of the year, and thank you to all guests who participated, we hope you had as much fun as we did.

Week 14

Badger: 3-3

Bugeater: 5-1

Eddie: 2-4

Final Standings

Badger: 38-34

Bugeater: 37-35


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Fumble! Huskers fumble Big 12 trophy Oklahoma recovers in 23-20 win

Photo Rivals.com

Nebraska lost the Big 12 Championship to Oklahoma 20-23 on Saturday night in Dallas.  The Huskers jumped out to a 17-0 lead and were dominating all aspects of the game.  It seemed as if the Sooner were over-matched and being outplayed by a superior Husker football team.  That fantasy didn't last as determined Oklahoma capitalized on three Husker turnovers scoring 23 points and only allowing Nebraska a field goal the rest of the game.

Credit Oklahoma's defense for keeping their composure and not panicking in the face of adversity.  After giving up the initial points and momentum, Travis Lewis lead the way back for Oklahoma by intercepting a pass in the end zone and recovering two fumbles.  The rest of the D-line followed suit and increased the intensity to a level the Huskers hadn't seen this season, sacking the QB seven times and recording 11 tackles for a loss.  They held Nebraska's offense in check, allowing 293 total yards.
 

Alex Henery greatest kicker of all time?

Nebraska will miss Alex Henery next season.  Show your appreciation by voting him the Rudy award.

http://www.collegerudyawards.com/cfra-2010-nominees.htm

Big 12 Title Game Eve

In honor of tomorrow night's final Big 12 Title game we here at Red vs Red want to hear from you, our readers and get your thoughts on the game tomorrow night.  What are you predictions?  Who will be your player of the game? Match-up to watch?  Will Taylor play?  Can Prince shutdown Broyles? Big 12 hate.  Air it all here.

What NU has to do to win: Don't be afraid to throw on first down, run the ball well.  NU needs to do everything they can to keep Cody/Taylor/Zac out of third and long situations.  On defense they need to limit OU's big plays on offense.  Lastly I believe if NU is going to win they need to score a special teams or defensive TD.

Red vs Red ATS Pick'em Challenge Week 14

Each week Red vs Red will bring you our prognostications, plus one guest picker each week, on what we deem to be the most interesting games of the week (or the easiest pick).  A huge thank you goes out to our guest picker this week, Eddie from Papillion Nebraska.

Week of December 4th 

No. 13 Nebraska Vs No. 10 Oklahoma -6.0

Badger:  Too much is going wrong with NU to pick them to win.  Oklahoma 31 Nebraska 21 

Bugeater:  Defense wins championships and Nebraska's defense has been improving each week.  They may even be at the same level as the '09 team that held Oklahoma to 3 points.  Oklahoma's Landry Jones will need to do much better than his five interception performance last year and I'm not sure he will.  The Huskers won't need to be spectacular on offense 17 points should do it.  Nebraska 22 Oklahoma 19

Eddie:  Nebraska 21 Oklahoma 20  

Laugh, Think, Cry

Last night before the Badgers and Wolfpack tipped off ESPN played Jim Valvano's famous "Don't give up, don't ever give up" speech.  I interrupted our Christmas tree decorating and made my six year old sit down and watch, I told him it was one the greatest speeches I had ever heard.  He could not have cared less.  I on the other hand was glued to the t.v.  If you've never had the pleasure of seeing or hearing this speech, please do yourself a favor and take 11 minutes out of your day, you won't regret it.

Big Wins for UW Hoops and Big 10

Coming off a heartbreaking loss to Notre Dame in the final of the Old Spice Classic Wisconsin rebounded with a trouncing of visiting North Carolina State 87-48 in this years version of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.  Last night's victory also helped the Big 10 secure a 6-5 victory over the ACC in the challenge for the second straight year.  As usual the Badgers were lead Senior forward Jon Leuer with 22 points, Jordan Taylor contributed with 21 points of his own.  Wisconsin's team defense was the true star of the night though, holding the Wolfpack to 31% shooting from the floor.  Let's hope the Badgers can continue their solid play on both sides of the ball on Saturday when South Dakota comes to Madison.

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