Badgers gnaw away at BCS Standings
Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen stays away from the subject but UW fans and media members can't help but notice the possible scenario. Will Wisconsin miss out on a potential BCS bowl bid due to the Arizona State loss?
The Badgers lost in the desert to ASU due to an officials' call when Joel Stave put a knee to the ground. The Badgers lost precious seconds due to the error, missing out on a potential field goal attempt.
With Stanford's loss to USC last Saturday, Wisconsin is one of the teams that stands to move up higher each week, that is if the Badgers keep on winning. By beating Indiana 51-3 at Camp Randall Stadium, the Badgers jumped three spots to No. 19 in the BCS standings released Sunday night. The Badgers are currently ranked 16th in the AP Poll and 17th in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
For the Badgers to land a BCS bowl bid, they have to finish in the top 14 of the BCS standings. Currently, UCLA, Fresno State, Northern Illinois, Arizona State and UCF are ahead of the Badgers, starting with UCLA at No. 14.
Ironically, with an 8-2 record, Minnesota moved into the No. 25 spot. The Badgers and Gophers hook up this weekend in the Battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. A victory over Minnesota should help Wisconsin in the next BCS rankings. The Gophers are currently ranked No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
"We love it," UW linebacker Chris Borland said of the two teams ranked. "That adds a lot to it and makes it even more meaningful."
The Badgers (8-2, 5-1) have won the last nine meetings against Minnesota (8-2, 4-2). But Saturday's game figures to be one of the biggest in recent years due to both teams having won eight of their first 10 games. Both teams are ranked heading into the conference game for the first time since 2005 and only the third time since 1975.
"Rivalries that have gone on for this long have so many stories behind them and so many moments behind them," Andersen said. "It's what I'm used it. It's what is great about college football in my opinion."
Wisconsin senior tailback James White certainly loves playing against Minnesota. White has rushed for 380 yards and scored five touchdowns in three games against the Gophers. He's averaged 7.9 yards per carry in the series.
"As we all know in rivalries like this, it is a one-game championship and it is three hours and whatever minutes it takes to get it done," Andersen said.
NOTES, QUOTES
--Over the last eight seasons, the Badgers are 26-4 after Nov. 1, not including bowl games.
--Wisconsin has won five straight games heading into the Minnesota game. The Gophers have won four in a row. Wisconsin has scored 51 or more points in two of its last four games, including a 51-3 triumph over Indiana last week.
--RB James White has been coming on strong late in the season. White is the FBS' active career leader in average yards per rush at 8.51 yards per carry.
--RB Melvin Gordon ranks ninth nationally at 130.6 yards per game. Gordon has rushed for 1,306 yards.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Coach (Barry) Alvarez walked me through the facilities and you see the axe sitting there in its trophy case. It doesn't take you long to look at it and see how important that is." -- Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen on playing Minnesota.
