Wisconsin vs. Stanford
A game of two teams that play your daddy's football. Run, run and run some more. Of course, the game features the theme of bowl season, a coaching change. Wisconsin's Bret Bielema left to take the Arkansas job so current athletic director and former head coach Barry Alvarez is back to coach the Badgers. With Ohio State ineligible, I would have much rather have seen Northwestern in this game to represent the Big 10 but they ain't here.
Stanford is coming off another very good season, having beat Oregon in their PAC 12 division and a win over UCLA to make it to Pasadena.
I watched all of this one, being the only game on. As always, one of the most beautiful settings in all of sports. The games are really starting to get on Mrs. Keith's nerves. She must have asked six times today if I was tired of watching football. I've done this now for seven straight years, you'd think she knows what days the most games are on. Today is one of those days.
This game was expected to be a grinder and it was. Stanford able to grind better than Wisconsin, getting a score on their first couple drives, forcing the Badgers to play catch up all game. Wisconsin came alive in the second quarter, adding two touchdowns, making this a game. 17-14 Stanford at the half.
The second half was old style, Big 10 football. A defensive battle between the 30's. Cleanly played, not too many penalties. Stanford finally put together a long, clock eating drive but couldn't convert to into the end zone. 20-14 but not much time left.
Finally, the game ending turnover, Wisconsin with an interception, game over. Both teams with a great effort in a well played game.
Stanford 20 Wisconsin 14
Game notes:
-This was Stanford's first Rose Bowl win since 1972. The Big 10 is 1-9 in their last nine Rose Bowl games.
-It's often speculated that Brett Musberger gambles on college games and you can tell what team he has money on by the way he calls a game. If that's so, he had Wisconsin and the points today. If he did, he lost.
-Famed anthropologist Jane Goodall was the Rose Parade grand marshall and was on the field for the coin toss.
The pregame emcee pronounced her last name "Goodell," as in the NFL commissioner. Is it asking too much to learn how to say someone's name?
-Swag for the players: A trip to and through the gift suite, Fossil watch, Oakley backpack, New Era Thirty9 Thirty cap. What, no football?
-While I was watching the game I found my BowlQuest VII souvenir for the year, a Schutt bowl game mini helmet.
I had Stanford in this one, making me 5-for-5 on the day. Need Florida State to win for the New Year's Day pick 6. After tonight, we get to single game situations the rest of the way.
No comments:
Post a Comment