What the Badgers are saying

[ZachTheZip]

http://wisconsin.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fi...907&style=2They expect to roll, which shouldn't surprise anybody here. I think we can put a scare into them before it's all over.

[Quickzips]

I can't say that their confidence is unfounded. I also don't share your enthusiasm that we can put a scare in them before it's said and done. Frankly I'd be happy if the Badgers don't run up the score.

[Buckzip]

http://wisconsin.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fi...907&style=2They expect to roll, which shouldn't surprise anybody here. I think we can put a scare into them before it's all over.

Every year someone here thinks we have a shot at a big boy and every year we lose big.Yes, last year at OSU was big no matter what some think.

[zen]

may as well not play the game.I mean, it's only football, and they are only a football team, but hell.... let's mail in a forfeit and move on to the next week.

[Blue & Gold]

I always used to feel as if we had a shot in any game when we had a good QB (Charlie Frye), but last year's absolutely lousy QB play still haunts me in my dreams. I don't think we're going to be able to consistently run the ball against Wisky, so, yeah, I think we're in trouble. I just can't get over how disappointed I am/was in the QBs last season. I've never seen anything so poor in D-1 ball. I'm hoping that Matt Rogers is a revelation and winds up being MAC Frosh of the year. Other than QB this team is incredibly talented (w/ questionable WR's, but I'm optimistic.) But even if Matt Rogers is a revelation, Wisky will be his first D-1 game and I wouldn't really expect him to start getting real comfortable in the offense until about week 3 or 4 anyway.If we get good QB play we win the MAC; if we get the same QB play we got last year we go 0-6 in the MAC East.

[g-mann17]

Well hell, I'm with zen. Let's just throw in the towel now. Shoot, I'll go one further, let's look at the schedule and see how many schools are out of our league right now, and forfeit those too. That way we can focus on the 2 or 3 games the "experts" think we can win this season.Pathetic. I'm sure no one gave us much of a shot the last time we played Wisconsin either.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Upsetting the Badgers is impossible.Soundly thrashing the Badgers IS possible.

[zen]

Look guys, I'm not trying to ruffle anyone's feathers, and I understand exactly what you are saying. As fans, we should temper our hopes with some degree of realism.However, I just feel like you never strap that helmet up without believing in yourself, and your team. I don't care who you are playing. If I don't think I can beat you, then hell, I might as well go knit a sweater.

[GP1]

WI will run the same six plays all game and probably their base defense as much as possible. Unless we absolutely fall apart, they will not blow us out. In order to blow us out, they will have to open up their playbook and that's the last thing they want to show the first week of the season.

[g-mann17]

WI will run the same six plays all game and probably their base defense as much as possible. Unless we absolutely fall apart, they will not blow us out. In order to blow us out, they will have to open up their playbook and that's the last thing they want to show the first week of the season.

I hear this alot (especially when it's posted multiple times ) . There is a problem with this logic however.What difference does it make to an established program, with an established Offensive Coordinator. That has run the same offensive style for the past 3-4 years and also has several hours of film for "real opponents" to review prior to a game.The truth is, that when these big schools don't "open up the playbook" as you say, it isn't because they are worried that conference rivals will see their new (read same old) gimmick plays. How many "new" plays do you think exist? No the real reason they play simple is because the best advice to calling plays in football is to "keep it simple stupid." If a team can run an ISO 40 times a game, and win, that's what they are going to do. Not because they don't want a conference fow to see their Double Reverse Option Pass, but because it worked so why do something different.The other thing you have to realize is that, some of that "open" offense you talk about has very few reps in practice. Because in practice you focus mainly on the plays you are going to run 75 - 80% of the game. So holding it back is mostly out of lack of experience for that play. The last thing you want to do is try a gimmick play and turn the ball over to a team that is absolutely starving for confidence and a reason to believe they can beat you.

[GP1]

WI will run the same six plays all game and probably their base defense as much as possible. Unless we absolutely fall apart, they will not blow us out. In order to blow us out, they will have to open up their playbook and that's the last thing they want to show the first week of the season.

I hear this alot (especially when it's posted multiple times ) . There is a problem with this logic however.What difference does it make to an established program, with an established Offensive Coordinator. That has run the same offensive style for the past 3-4 years and also has several hours of film for "real opponents" to review prior to a game.

Wisconsin knows everyone knows their plays. What they don't want the other Big Ten teams to see is how they run those plays with new players replacing those that have graduated. Good coaching is much less about knowing the other teams plays and is much MORE about exploiting sub-par players on the other team. Everyone looks pretty good running the basics. Not everyone looks good running more elaborate plays. Coaches spend hours watching film not writing down different plays, but trying to find the weak link in the other team.

[zen]

what is more, if you can throw in some "gimmick" plays in your first game, defensive coaches who review the game might have to respect it. In other words, use the gimmick (when you can get away with it) to open up the more conservative approach.

[g-mann17]

WI will run the same six plays all game and probably their base defense as much as possible. Unless we absolutely fall apart, they will not blow us out. In order to blow us out, they will have to open up their playbook and that's the last thing they want to show the first week of the season.

I hear this alot (especially when it's posted multiple times ) . There is a problem with this logic however.What difference does it make to an established program, with an established Offensive Coordinator. That has run the same offensive style for the past 3-4 years and also has several hours of film for "real opponents" to review prior to a game.

Wisconsin knows everyone knows their plays. What they don't want the other Big Ten teams to see is how they run those plays with new players replacing those that have graduated. Good coaching is much less about knowing the other teams plays and is much MORE about exploiting sub-par players on the other team. Everyone looks pretty good running the basics. Not everyone looks good running more elaborate plays. Coaches spend hours watching film not writing down different plays, but trying to find the weak link in the other team.

Sorry but weakness show whether you are running a simple or gimmick play. And as far as replacement players you see more mistakes and weaknesses during base plays then during gimmick plays. And those base plays are what you set up to defend, not the gimmick, you just keep in the back of your mind and coach the importance of staying home when a play looks to be going the other direction.And coaches spend hours charting plays to learn tendencies and attempt to anticipate what play possibilities exist. Like zen mentioned, you throw in a gimmick it actually puts more work in the opposing coaches hands. Lastly you pretty much contradicted yourself about a "better" school not "opening up the play book" against us.Bottom line, any team is going run their offense as simple as they can for as long as they can. If they can win the game keeping simple they will. If they have to try non conservative plays they will. Since WI strength is going to be running the ball. They are going to run the ball as much and for as long as they can. Throwing in play action to keep us honest.

[ZachTheZip]

WI will run the same six plays all game and probably their base defense as much as possible. Unless we absolutely fall apart, they will not blow us out. In order to blow us out, they will have to open up their playbook and that's the last thing they want to show the first week of the season.

I hear this alot (especially when it's posted multiple times ) . There is a problem with this logic however.What difference does it make to an established program, with an established Offensive Coordinator. That has run the same offensive style for the past 3-4 years and also has several hours of film for "real opponents" to review prior to a game.

Wisconsin knows everyone knows their plays. What they don't want the other Big Ten teams to see is how they run those plays with new players replacing those that have graduated. Good coaching is much less about knowing the other teams plays and is much MORE about exploiting sub-par players on the other team. Everyone looks pretty good running the basics. Not everyone looks good running more elaborate plays. Coaches spend hours watching film not writing down different plays, but trying to find the weak link in the other team.

Sorry but weakness show whether you are running a simple or gimmick play. And as far as replacement players you see more mistakes and weaknesses during base plays then during gimmick plays. And those base plays are what you set up to defend, not the gimmick, you just keep in the back of your mind and coach the importance of staying home when a play looks to be going the other direction.And coaches spend hours charting plays to learn tendencies and attempt to anticipate what play possibilities exist. Like zen mentioned, you throw in a gimmick it actually puts more work in the opposing coaches hands. Lastly you pretty much contradicted yourself about a "better" school not "opening up the play book" against us.Bottom line, any team is going run their offense as simple as they can for as long as they can. If they can win the game keeping simple they will. If they have to try non conservative plays they will. Since WI strength is going to be running the ball. They are going to run the ball as much and for as long as they can. Throwing in play action to keep us honest.

Wisconsin is getting a new QB. It's doesn't matter if everyone else on the team knows the fancy trick plays if the QB doesn't. That is why they will play conservative more than anything else, and it is also why they won't try many more difficult plays even if they need to in order to win.

[GP1]

what is more, if you can throw in some "gimmick" plays in your first game, defensive coaches who review the game might have to respect it. In other words, use the gimmick (when you can get away with it) to open up the more conservative approach.

What if they run a trick play and like most trick plays, they lose yards? Should the other team ignore the trick play. Of course they should. Most coaches don't know where to run the trick plays to begin with (they should be run in the "alumni zone"...between the 40s). I have lost most of my hair watching my favorite football teams lose yard after yard with trick plays. The problem is most coaches are so stupid, they will spend hours game-planning for something that probably does not need to be planned for extensively.

[GP1]

Bottom line, any team is going run their offense as simple as they can for as long as they can. If they can win the game keeping simple they will. If they have to try non conservative plays they will. Since WI strength is going to be running the ball. They are going to run the ball as much and for as long as they can. Throwing in play action to keep us honest.

Thanks for coming around to my point. Answer this question... Why are they going to keep it simple in the first game? If you ignore two reasons, you are missing out. First reason: They don't want any other team to know what they have. Second reason: The reduction in spring practices has perhaps created some glaring deficiencies is their back up players (QB) they don't want other to notice.Lastly, claiming contradiction does not equal contradiction. Very high school debate club move. I expect better out of you. Future lawyer?

[zen]

what is more, if you can throw in some "gimmick" plays in your first game, defensive coaches who review the game might have to respect it. In other words, use the gimmick (when you can get away with it) to open up the more conservative approach.

What if they run a trick play and like most trick plays, they lose yards? Should the other team ignore the trick play. Of course they should. Most coaches don't know where to run the trick plays to begin with (they should be run in the "alumni zone"...between the 40s). I have lost most of my hair watching my favorite football teams lose yard after yard with trick plays. The problem is most coaches are so stupid, they will spend hours game-planning for something that probably does not need to be planned for extensively.

That's why you will see I added the caveat "when you can get away with it". You don't want to live by the gimmick, because you will die by the gimmick.My only point was, the first game is a great time to throw in a gadget play or two for the purpose of making your future opponent's jobs a little tougher (aside from the idea of holding your good cards to your vest).You coach your D players to stick to their assignments because it's better to get burned on a gadget, as long as you didn't blow your assignment.... but a couple of successful well-chosen gadget plays can make future opponent coaches pull his hair out trying to stretch their player's responsibilities... all it takes is hesitation or doubt on the field.

[g-mann17]

Bottom line, any team is going run their offense as simple as they can for as long as they can. If they can win the game keeping simple they will. If they have to try non conservative plays they will. Since WI strength is going to be running the ball. They are going to run the ball as much and for as long as they can. Throwing in play action to keep us honest.

Thanks for coming around to my point. Answer this question... Why are they going to keep it simple in the first game? If you ignore two reasons, you are missing out. First reason: They don't want any other team to know what they have. Second reason: The reduction in spring practices has perhaps created some glaring deficiencies is their back up players (QB) they don't want other to notice.Lastly, claiming contradiction does not equal contradiction. Very high school debate club move. I expect better out of you. Future lawyer?

Ok now John Kerry, see what you did? Your argument was this "they will have to open up their playbook and that's the last thing they want to show the first week of the season."And now you are adding the points I made. The fact is, opening up the playbook has nothing to do with not wanting to show what they do. Everyone knows what they do. They want to keep it simple because they haven't had the reps. That's why schools play non-conference first. So they can perfect what they do before it really matters. Lastly, your contradiction was contradiction because you said one thing, and completely argued against your original thought later on down the line. Future politician?

[Quickzips]

Fact of the matter is, it doesn't matter if Wisconsin uses trick plays or if they don't. They are a better, deeper football team than us. They have an offense and defense in place that has made them a top 25 team over the last few years. Will they show every wrinkle in their schemes to us? Who knows and who cares. They can and should beat us one way or another.

[Dr Z]

I have lost most of my hair watching my favorite football teams lose yard after yard with trick plays.

This is for GP1 only. I couldn't find the "38 Direct Fake Throwback" from wild card weekend. But that one might have one the game for them too.Masterful use of trick plays to win at the highest level.

[scottditzen]

Very interesting to see MacGyver escape from Memorial Hall during the commercial break!!!Or was that Kolbe.....

I have lost most of my hair watching my favorite football teams lose yard after yard with trick plays.

This is for GP1 only. I couldn't find the "38 Direct Fake Throwback" from wild card weekend. But that one might have one the game for them too.Masterful use of trick plays to win at the highest level.

[ZachTheZip]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindexWisconsin is ranked #12 in the coaches' poll. Cinci is #37

[Captain Kangaroo]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/rankingsindexWisconsin is ranked #12 in the coaches' poll. Cinci is #37

Where was Michigan ranked last August? I have my Wisconsin flight and hotel booked.

[GP1]

I have lost most of my hair watching my favorite football teams lose yard after yard with trick plays.

This is for GP1 only. I couldn't find the "38 Direct Fake Throwback" from wild card weekend. But that one might have one the game for them too.Masterful use of trick plays to win at the highest level.

Good pick up. What is another famous trick play that went 43 yards for the Steelers?The fun thing about trick plays is if you can get through the ten that don't work causing another clogged shower drain, that one that does work always feels great.